Why is it illegal to grow gooseberries in the US?
In 1911, a federal ban made it illegal to grow all Ribes, including currants and gooseberries, because these plants served as an intermediary host of white pine blister rust. This means in order for the disease to complete its life cycle and infect white pine trees, it must spend some time on a currant, gooseberry or related species.
Where are gooseberries grown?
Germany, Russia, Poland and Scandinavia typically grow gooseberries on large, commercial plantations, while gooseberries are often planted in smaller pick-your-own operations across the U.S. and Canada, according to Science Direct.
Are gooseberries and currants legal in Maine?
White pine is integral to the state's economy, therefore the "sale, transportation and possession of Ribes spp. [gooseberries and currants] Is illegal throughout most of Maine," according to Maine's state government. While laws change regularly, this list from The Greener Grass Farm highlights state-by-state legality.
Can you eat gooseberries raw?
Yes, you can eat them raw, but Hendry says they're particularly tasty when cooked. "Gooseberries need to be topped and tailed, then can be stewed for pies and crumbles, made into jam or dried into fruit leathers," Hendry says.
Why is it illegal to grow gooseberries in some states?
Complicated History. In 1911, a federal ban made it illegal to grow all Ribes, including currants and gooseberries, because these plants served as an intermediary host of white pine blister rust.Apr 2, 2015
Can you grow gooseberries in the USA?
They can also be low maintenance, but that's not why gooseberries can be planted everywhere in the United States. The restrictions date back to a federal ban in the early 1900s, when growers realized that gooseberries were an intermediate host for a harmful disease that attacks the white pine.Jul 16, 2020
Are gooseberries illegal in California?
Ribes species are host for White Pine blister rust, which causes few problems for gooseberry, but is lethal for 5-needle pines, including California natives such as Western Pine (Pinus monticola) and Sugar Pine (P. lambertiana). Gooseberries are banned in counties where these pines are grown for lumber.Jul 22, 2016
Can you grow gooseberries in California?
Sierra Gooseberry (Ribes roezlii) is a native shrub that grows in northern, southern and central California. It is moderately fast growing and long-lived. It grows in a semi-upright form to a height of 5 feet, with active growth during the spring and summer. Flowers are white and striking, and bloom in the late spring.
Why is it illegal to grow currants in the United States?
In 1911 it was made illegal to grow currants in the United States. They were banned by the US Department of Agriculture because they carried the white pine blister rust disease. This fungus threatened to wipe out the pines in the US, so all Ribes were banned to protect the logging industry at the time.Sep 9, 2021
Are gooseberries poisonous to dogs?
Gooseberries can be toxic to canines, and you must never put one in low spots where your pet may be able to reach them accidentally and consume them as a result.
Are gooseberries illegal in Oregon?
The ban was lifted in Oregon because the state has so many native species of Ribes, including red flowering currant and stinking currant. Strik has advice for growing currants and gooseberries, which begins with choosing a site.Dec 31, 2010
Where do gooseberries grow in USA?
American gooseberries are native to northeastern and north-central United States and the adjacent regions of Canada.
Can I grow gooseberries in Illinois?
Plant in early spring in northern Illinois and other areas with similar climates while areas with longer growing seasons, they can be planted in fall. Dig a large hole that can accommodate all the roots, prune long or dead roots, plant slightly deeper than the plants growing in the nursery.
Are gooseberries rare?
In the 1920s, New Yorkers grew 2,700 acres of gooseberries. These days, they are a fairly rare sight, even at farmers markets.Jul 11, 2013
How much sun do gooseberries need?
Currants and gooseberries will grow in full sun to partial shade. You will get more fruit if the plant is in full sun. Space plants at least 3 feet apart. Most currants and gooseberries are self-fruitful.
What do gooseberries taste like?
Gooseberries are juicy, tart, and subtly grape-flavored. Zesty, zingy, and bright are other words commonly used to describe the fruit.
Why were gooseberries illegal?
Gooseberries were once banned in the U.S. because they contributed to a tree-killing disease called "white pine blister rust" that was decimating t...
Are gooseberries a fruit?
Gooseberries are small, lesser-known fruits that come in both European and American varieties. Both are closely related to another fruit — currants.
Can you eat raw gooseberries?
You can definitely eat them raw, but they're particularly tasty when cooked. Gooseberries make delicious jam, tarts, and pies, but gooseberry Champ...
Are gooseberries good for you?
This fruit is high in fiber, low in calories and fat, and packed with nutrients and antioxidants. They also may help control blood sugar levels.
Which states have a ban on ribes?
Residents of New Ham pshire, North Carolina and West Virginia are completely out of luck as those states enforce a statewide ban on all Ribes species. Delaware, Massachusetts, New Jersey and Rhode Island enforce a permit system.
Is Ribes resistant to WPBR?
Most other states ban Ribes cultivars that are not resistant to the White Pine Blister Rust (WPBR) pathogen but below is the complete breakdown. All the sources provided are from state legislature, extension offices or state universities. Permit required for others except in extensive quarantine areas.
Why are gooseberries banned?
Gooseberries were once banned in the U.S. because they contributed to a tree-killing disease called "white pine blister rust" that was decimating these trees. It had a huge impact on white pine lumber-reliant economies like Maine. In 1966, federal gooseberry restrictions switched to state-by-state jurisdiction, ...
When did gooseberry bans start?
Restrictions date back to a federal ban in the early 1900s, when growers realized gooseberries were intermediary hosts for the damaging white pine blister rust disease. In 1966, the gooseberry restrictions shifted from federal ban to state-by-state jurisdictions. Now, most states welcome gooseberries with open arms, ...
What is gooseberry?
The gooseberry, a fruit in the currant family, grows across Europe and north to the Arctic Circle.
Is gooseberry good for you?
Gooseberries are more than a quirky little fruit; they're chock-full of health benefits. These high-fiber, low-calorie fruits are believed to help control blood sugar levels with organic acids that can reduce the risk of Alzheimer's and stroke with regular consumption. Advertisement. Originally Published: Jul 8, 2020.
Can gooseberries be harvested in stages?
The remaining berries can be harvested in stages, or left to swell until they're fully ripe," Hendry says. "In the winter it's a good idea to prune new growth back by about a half to keep them productive, but even neglected gooseberries bushes can fruit well, so they're really a very low-maintenance plant.".
When to pick gooseberries?
"You can spread out the harvest by picking some of the young, under-ripe berries from early summer for cooking.
Can you eat gooseberries raw?
Yes, you can eat them raw, but Hendry says they're particularly tasty when cooked. "Gooseberries need to be topped and tailed, then can be stewed for pies and crumbles, made into jam or dried into fruit leathers," Hendry says. "They are quite tart in taste, so they are usually best mixed with sugar.
What is the problem with gooseberries?
The most common problem for gooseberries is powdery mildew, which forms a white powder-like film on leaves and shoots and tends to thrive in humid conditions.
How to keep gooseberries from crushing?
Wear gloves as you pull off the fruit to protect your hands from the prickly spines. Remove the skins and snip off the “top and tail” with scissors. The skin on currants and gooseberries tends to be soft, so to avoid crushing, don’t pile the harvested berries high and use smaller containers.
Why are ribes illegal?
In 1911, a federal ban made it illegal to grow all Ribes, including currants and gooseberries, because these plants served as an intermediary host of white pine blister rust. This means in order for the disease to complete its life cycle and infect white pine trees, it must spend some time on a currant, gooseberry or related species. The much more powerful timber industry, primarily along the East Coast and east of the Mississippi, beat out the lowly Ribes plant genus, hence the ban. Thanks to later development of new disease-resistant plant varietals, the federal ban was lifted in 1966, leaving individual states to decide what types of Ribes plants to allow. A complex patchwork of regulations behind growing currants and gooseberries varies from state to state.
How far apart should I plant gooseberry plants?
Different currant and gooseberry varietals have varying depths for accurate planting, so check the recommendations from your local nursery. Space plants 3 to 5 feet apart, in rows 8 to 10 feet apart.
How long does gooseberry produce?
But that’s just for my area; [it] may not be a problem in other locations.”. Currant and gooseberry plants can produce as long as 40 years , so site them in a sunny spot with good drainage. Perform a soil test before planting to see if you’ll need to adjust the soil pH level with soil amendments.
When do gooseberries ripen?
Schneider lets the berries ripen on the vine one to two weeks after their first sign of ripeness for maximum sweetness. Gooseberry varietals come in different colors at harvest—from bright green to green with a touch of blush to almost black. Green under-ripe fruit can be harvested in early summer for jam-making.
Can you plant black currants in Massachusetts?
State regulations can be complicated, however. In Massachusetts, for example, black currants are prohibited statewide and individual towns determine procedures for planting red or white currants or gooseberries. You’ll also notice in catalogs that nurseries will only ship these plants to certain states.
How to Plant Gooseberries
Nurseries usually sell gooseberries as bare root plants for early spring planting. Amend the soil with organic matter as needed and plant the gooseberries as soon as they arrive and before they leaf out. Plant them about one inch deeper than they were planted at the nursery (you can see the old soil line on the canes).
Gooseberry Care
Gooseberries are low maintenance. However, because of their thorns, harvesting can be challenging. Always wear protective gear: long gloves, long sleeves, and pants.
Types of Gooseberries
The fruit of American gooseberries is smaller than European gooseberries and the American species is more disease resistant. European gooseberries are often described as having more flavor. The flavor of both cultivars is often compared to muscat grapes; musty sweet when ripe and sour when unripe.
Pruning
Gooseberries bear fruit on one-, two-, and three-year-old canes. The goal of pruning is to have three to four strong canes of each age on the plant and let an equal number of new canes grow every summer.
Propagating Gooseberry Plants
You can easily propagate gooseberries by tip layering. Bury the tip of a cane in the soil and secure it with a rock. Once it has grown some strong roots, which can take up to one year, you can sever it from the mother plant and transplant it in a new location.
Common Pests & Plant Diseases
Gooseberries can be affected by powdery mildew, anthracnose, leaf spot, currant worm, and gooseberry fruitworm. Your first line of defense is choosing disease and pest resistant varieties and providing good air circulation.
