Thursday 16 June 2011

TO PICK OR NOT TO PICK?

Every year I say to myself, "Next year I'll keep a garden diary". I never do. That's why I can't remember when I usually harvest these.

My mind tells me that I usually pick them the last week in June or first week in July. I'm sure that they usually look greener than this when harvested, but that may be because the saw fly hasn't denuded the bush of all it's leaves as usually happens and so they look yellower against the green foliage. I quite fancy a gooseberry crumble, but are they ready yet?

4 comments:

  1. I have no idea when to pick them...just save some for me!
    Jane x

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  2. The best way is to try one or do squeeze test between thumb & forefinger
    to see how soft the goosegogs feel:)

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  3. They turn pale and are soft to squeeze. A bit like a girl I once knew! :)
    I personally would just 'top & tail' one and then do a taste test. The longer you leave the sun on them, the more they ripen and the more sugar is in the fruit. So if you want them sweet, leave them as long as possible - before the birds get their beady eyes on them.

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  4. Thanks everyone. I've decided to pick just enough for a crumble and leave the rest for another day.

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