How to Grow Gooseberries in the Shade

Choose the right site for your plants. Gooseberries don't need full sun but do require some sun. They fare well in spots that are shady in the afternoon and can grow under the dappled shade of a tree, such as persimmon. One shrub grows as much as 3 feet high by 6 feet wide, so plan ample space.

Dig a hole for your plant that's twice the width and depth of your gooseberry's root ball. Remove rocks and weeds from the hole in preparation for planting.

Pull your gooseberry plant from its container and place it in the prepared hole so it sits 1 inch deeper in the ground than it was planted. Holding the plant vertically straight, push soil into the hole and firm it around the plant.

Mulch the plant with 2 to 4 inches of organic material, such as compost, leaves or pine straw.

Water the ground until it becomes saturated. Thereafter, water the soil until it becomes saturated whenever it feels dry to the touch.

Clip back all plant canes, leaving only four to six buds. This promotes the development of rich new growth.

Fertilize the plant with 1/4 to 1/2 lb. of a balanced fertilizer, such as 10-10-10.

Prune the plant annually in the early spring. For the first three years, remove only dead or damaged wood. In subsequent years, remove up to one-third of the old canes to promote the growth of new fruiting wood. If you allow your gooseberry bush to grow without pruning, interior branches will not receive the light needed to bear fruit and the plant is more susceptible to powdery mildew.