Mid-Atlantic Gardening: Yardening mid March 2015 , 1 by Gitagal

Gitagal wrote:
Sally--

Gooseberries just are not all that popular in this area. They are VERY popular
in my country and, i am sure, other N. European countries.

I have one growing in a BIG pot. It spent years wasting away in that little
"hopeless bed" I wanted to demolish. There just was NO sun there--between the old
Lilac bush and the 6' fence it was almost in shade.

I have had this Gooseberry for almost 30 years. It was dug up from an old Estonian
man's garden. He and his wife are long gone now. But--I have HIS Gooseberry bush.
Only ONE year--I harvested enough berries to make jam. Gooseberry jam rocks!!!

I dug the bush out 2 years ago--and got 2 really large sections out of it and
some smaller ones. My Pakistani neighbor begged me for the bigger one--said they were
very important for one's health. Don't know just HOW? But, I gave it to her...

The other big section I put in a 3gal. pot and surprised this man's daughter 2 years ago
at the Estonian X-mas Bazaar. I gave her her father's Gooseberry bush back.
She was very touched. I LOVE doing things like this....

Gooseberries are sweet when completely ripe. They also turn a mauve-reddish color.
While green--they are a bit sour.

I have 2 small, potted up divisions available for the swap. Haven't seen any interest yet.
No interest yet either in my Dwarf Bearded Iris. I have 7 potted trays of it--
growing really well now. I expect, by the Swap time, they may be in bloom.
These grow only about 8" tall.

Here is the tray of these iris--waiting for adoption.....
G.