When can gooseberries be transplanted to a new place, in spring or autumn, and how to do it correctly?

When to replant gooseberry bushes, so that they can endure this procedure as painlessly as possible and quickly adapt to a new place, is the main question if it is necessary to transfer an adult bush. After all, a healthy bush that produces a bountiful harvest may die or suffer for a long time if the basic requirements of replanting are not met.

Why is it necessary to transplant gooseberry bushes?

There are several reasons why you will need to move the gooseberry bush to a new location:

• redevelopment of the site in connection with construction work, landscape design or planting of other crops;
• incorrectly chosen place initially (damp, cold, without proper lighting), accordingly, the gooseberries bear fruit poorly, are sick, the berries are of poor quality;
• the crops in the neighborhood have grown and do not allow the bush to fully develop, or the bush interferes with other plants, and it is very difficult to move them;
• The bush is old and requires rejuvenation.

When is the best time to replant gooseberries?

Gooseberry bushes can withstand a change of location relatively easily if agrotechnical rules are followed. Transplantation can be done both in spring and autumn. Summer replanting is carried out when absolutely necessary.

During an emergency transplant in summer, the gooseberries will hurt, making it difficult to restore the damaged root system. There is a risk of plant death.

in spring

If autumn planting is not carried out, this procedure can be carried out in the spring. It is important not to miss the deadline. The problem is that the gooseberry wakes up very early. Already with the onset of sunny days, sap flow begins. The buds swell and open quite quickly. In this state, it is no longer advisable to touch the bush. It will not tolerate the transplant well, it will begin to get sick, and there will be a clearly noticeable delay in development, since all efforts are directed towards the formation of the above-ground part, and not the root part.

The most ideal month of spring is March, when the layer of snow has melted. In cold regions this period shifts to early April. Often the soil is still frozen, and the bush is difficult to get out of it.It is important to coincide with the moment when the ground has thawed and active sap flow has not yet begun.

in autumn

Still, transplanting gooseberries in the fall to a new place is the best option, since the growing season is completed, fruiting has finished and preparations for winter have begun. The process of sap flow stops, and the growth of the ground part stops. The bush, which has entered the stage of inertia, tolerates replanting well, since it directs all efforts to strengthening the root part.

The ideal time for transplantation is the second half of September, and in places with harsh northern conditions a little earlier - the end of August. In warm areas, transplantation can be carried out at the end of October. The focus is on the onset of frost: it should be at least 5 weeks away. The plant must have time to adapt to the new place.

How to properly transplant gooseberries: sequence of work

In order for the gooseberry to survive the replanting process as painlessly as possible, it is recommended to comply with simple but very important requirements. The further development of the plant and its fruiting will depend on this.

Soil and fertilizing requirements

Gooseberries are planted in humus loamy soil that has medium density and neutral acidity (pH 6.5–7). Heavy clay soil must be loosened with sand. A clay substrate must be added to sandy soil to ensure moisture retention. The acidity level can be tested with litmus paper. If necessary, add deoxidizing agents to the soil: dolomite flour, fluff lime.

It is not recommended to plant gooseberries after raspberries and currants; they have common harmful insects and viral and fungal diseases.

Preparing a planting hole in a new location

The decisive factor remains the moment of choosing a place for transplantation.Development and fruiting depend on this. Therefore, the choice of a new growing site must be approached responsibly.

This should be a well-lit place, without cold or draft winds. The site should be hidden from the wind by a house or other building. Avoid wetlands and nearby groundwater. Excessive moisture will cause the spread of fungal diseases and rot. First dig up the area and remove weeds.

Preparing a gooseberry bush for replanting

Before transplanting directly, you need to prepare the bush and make several prunings:

• clear out outdated, broken, diseased and unnecessary branches;
• Leave 6-9 young branches, shorten them by a third.

You need to prepare the planting hole several days before moving the bush. Make the depth no less than 0.55-0.6 m. The diameter depends on the size of the root system. The hole is made slightly larger than the size of the root part.

Recommendations:

• remove the first layer, it is used to prepare the soil mixture;
• Place drainage at the bottom of the finished pit, the layer is made up to 10 cm thick, crushed stone and broken brick are used;
• Fill half of the hole with a soil mixture: soil and humus (in equal parts), superphosphate (45 g), potassium sulfate (35 g);
• a day before planting, pour about 5 buckets of water into the hole, the number of buckets depends on its size.

Planting a bush in a new place

The landing scheme consists of the following algorithm of actions:

1. Dig the bush in a circle, the distance from the base is not less than 0.3 m. Cut off thick, protruding roots with a sharp shovel.
2. Using a pitchfork or a crowbar, loosen the bush and carefully remove it from the ground, preserving the root ball of earth as much as possible.
3. Place the gooseberries on a piece of cloth or polyethylene and transfer them to a new hole.
4. Carefully lower the plant into the hole, positioning it so that the root collar is 50-70 mm below the ground.
5. Distribute the roots evenly along the bottom of the hole.
6. Fill with the rest of the soil mixture and compact thoroughly, filling all voids. It is recommended to fill in layers, pressing down each one carefully.
7. Water generously, at least 3 buckets.
8. If the soil has subsided, add more soil.
9. Mulch the soil.

If desired, an adult gooseberry bush can be divided into several bushes when transplanted. To do this, the roots are freed from the root soil, and the bush is divided. Each one should have a main root and subordinate roots.

Basic mistakes during transplantation

Sometimes inexperience and mistakes can lead to bush disease or death. Common mistakes made when moving a bush:

1. Transplanting an adult bush as a seedling. Preserving the earthen ball during transplantation significantly increases the chances of the plant.
2. Neglect of means that promote rooting. At the moment, preparations have been developed to help the plant strengthen the root part.
3. Using cold water. Gooseberry is a heat-loving plant. For irrigation, use liquid with a temperature of at least +18 ^OC. Cold water, especially on hot days, is detrimental to the plant. Strong temperature changes will negatively affect the crop.

Caring for gooseberry bushes after transplantation

It is important not only to transplant the gooseberries to another place, but also to provide post-planting care. Thanks to certain measures, the bush will quickly endure stress and get used to the new place. Care differs depending on the transplant season.

When replanting in autumn, care comes down to ensuring proper watering.The soil around the trunk circle should be moist. It is necessary to take into account weather conditions; if it rains often, the amount of watering is adjusted. Gardeners recommend covering the soil with a sheet of roofing felt or film. When frost sets in, the soil must be thoroughly mulched. You can use dry leaves, sawdust, crushed bark, hay, humus, cones, pine needles.

5-7 days after replanting, treat the bush with Bordeaux mixture and Karbofos, since the plant’s immunity is weakened.

In the spring, when the leaves bloom on the bush, you need to feed it with urea during the loosening process. Potassium and phosphorus preparations are also added, since a lack of them in the soil will lead to burns of the leaf blades.

After spring replanting, it is also important to monitor the humidity and prevent the damaged root part from drying out. Abundant, timely watering is important, at least once a week, using about 2 buckets of water. When growth begins, it is recommended to feed with nitrogen-containing preparations:

• organics: bird droppings or mullein;
• mineral: saltpeter, urea, ammonium sulfate.

Maintenance involves loosening the soil and removing weeds. The procedure is carried out carefully, not going deeper than 3 cm, so as not to injure the roots.

If the recommended replanting requirements are met, the plant will quickly take root and adapt to its new location and will subsequently delight the owner with a bountiful harvest and tasty berries.