Your comments and tips

09 Mar 24, Diane (New Zealand - temperate climate)

I have been given some Cape Gooseberry seeds from and existing bush. I see that it is too late to sow these in March. Can these seeds be kept until August, or am I better to discard them and start again at sowing time.

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02 Apr 24, Caity (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)

Diane they will be fine. Just store them dry cool and dark

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15 Mar 24, Dave in California Zone 10A (USA - Zone 10a climate)

Diane, I keep seeds from a lot of the common vegetables I grow like spinach, peas, carrots, beans, tomatoes, corn, and such, but I have never grown Cape Gooseberry and do not know what the days for germination are supposed to be, but as general rule I would keep the seeds and maybe start them in trays or pots a few weeks before it's time to transplant them outside. That way you will see how many sprout and then decide if you need to get other seeds. All the seeds I save usually have very good germination rates for a minimum of a couple of years, and I have been getting good results from a lot of the seeds I saved from three and four years ago.

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14 Jan 23, Sherin Reilly (New Zealand - temperate climate)

My cape gooseberries are growing either outside the pod or the pod isn't fully formed. Is this a problem and can it be fixed. Thanknyou

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28 Feb 23, Stacey (New Zealand - temperate climate)

Hi just wondering if you found the cause of this as I am having the same issue Thanks

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10 Feb 22, B Welch (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)

I plant the public road fences of my farm with various edibles. Our Cape Gooseberrys are dropping fruit on the ground, some of which I assume will grow. I intend to drill holes about 3m apart, 150mm deep, just to loosen the clay, then push a whole fruit in, and cover with 10mm of clay, hide it from birds etc. I know that sounds rough, but it's a lot of planting, so I'd like to keep it simple. what are my chances? What extra must I do? Slow release fert? Thanks B.

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06 Mar 23, Kiwi Permaculture Beginner (New Zealand - temperate climate)

Just wondering if you tried your drill method for planting up your fences with cape gooseberry (or anything else for that matter) & what your results have been like?

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17 Feb 22, Celeste Archer (Canada - Zone 7b Mild Temperate climate)

Clay soil is a massive topic, I suggest you read a few articles - here is a very positive one: https://www.provenwinners.com/learn/dirt-dirt-clay -- like the article states your soil is probably loaded with nutrition, water is the real issue; the way clay soil gets water logged and heavy. The standard rule of thumb with clay soil is: load it up with organic matter (manure, leaves, kitchen compost, etc.). You can just LAYER these on the soil. Additionally, choosing plants that tolerate/like clay soil -- I think the hardy kiwi can tolerate this soil as well as American Persimmon, osage oranges and lots of other plants. They have online plant finders that can help you isolate which plants have the highest probability of success. One thing I did notice when working with heavy clay soils was that plants take a lot longer to establish and grow. I suspect I wouldn't make the effort to plant anything other than plants that are specifically listed as clay tolerant -- you have to go right down to the type of plant: for example: OSAGE oranges not just any oranges .... but maybe all oranges can tolerate clay... you need to check by the type.

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11 Feb 22, Anonymous of Bundaberg (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)

You need better soil than clay. It is like anything, the better the preparation the better the result. A shovel load of good soil will have better results.

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19 Dec 21, Brigitte (New Zealand - temperate climate)

I have a Cape Goose Berry in a very large pot. Plant growing well but some leaves have white spots on them, it is not powdery mildew. Randomly spaced over leaf, underside of spot under leaf is yellow, it looks slightly like it has been eaten but no holes and for life of me cannot find an insect/bug.

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