It's the end of summer, time to feed the gooseberries after harvesting.

Gooseberries are easy to grow and require little care. One important step is fertilizing the bushes after fruiting. In August, when the berries have already been eaten, it's crucial to apply fertilizer and prepare the plant for winter.

Why fertilize berries in August?

Gooseberries require special care in late summer. This is when the foundation for next year's harvest is laid. To ensure all care is completed before frost, begin in August. Post-fruiting care:

• weeding;
• removing dry leaves from under the bush;
• top dressing;
• digging between rows;
• preventive treatment against diseases and insects;
• pruning;
• mulching.

Fertilizers help bushes maintain health and develop properly. The effects of fertilizing:

• phosphorus increases crop yields;
• Potassium - provides resistance to drought, frost resistance, and increases immunity to fungal diseases.

Nitrogen fertilizers are not used so as not to provoke rapid growth of young shoots.

Types of fertilizers

At the end of summer, the bushes are fed with organic and mineral substances. Suitable fertilizers:

• superphosphate (up to 50 g);
• potassium chloride (up to 30 g);
• ash;
• humus;
• mullein diluted in water (1:5).

How to prepare and apply correctly

In August, after weeding and digging the soil, it's beneficial to feed the berries with potassium-phosphorus fertilizers. Names and proportions:

• potassium monophosphate - 50 - 80 g per 1 m2;
• potassium salt or potassium sulfate - 25 - 30 g per 1 m2;
• superphosphate and potassium sulfate - 1 tbsp per bush;
• superphosphate and urea - 1 tbsp per bush;
• superphosphate and potassium nitrate - 2 tablespoons per bush.

The fertilizer powder is evenly sprinkled over the surface of the soil, then loosened and deepened to a depth of 8 cm.

It's also helpful to add wood ash (100 g per square meter), mullein, humus, or peat (a bucket per bush) to the soil. Fertilizing with mullein:

1. Dilute with water in a 1:1 ratio.
2. Leave for 3-5 days to allow the mixture to ferment.
3. Dilute with water (1:1).
4. Water at the roots at a rate of 10 liters per plant.

After fruiting, it's recommended to water the bushes with an infusion of herbs (such as nettle) or bird droppings dissolved in water. Foliar treatments are also recommended for pest control and disease prevention.

Vermicompost helps boost the plant's defenses before winter. It's diluted in water (1 cup of the product per 10 liters of water) and watered at the roots.

Adviсe

Experienced gardeners offer the following recommendations for gooseberry care:

1. From the end of September to mid-October, gooseberries can be watered generously without fear of new leaves appearing.
2. Before applying fertilizer, all old branches are cut off.
3. After fertilizing and preparing for winter, the soil at the base of the bush is mulched using rotted manure, mature humus or sawdust.
4. In northern regions, after fertilizing and mulching, the base of the plant is covered with agrotextile. The insulation is removed in early spring to ensure uniform soil warming.
5. When fertilizing, it is important not to get it on the leaves (this can cause disease).

Conclusion

Fertilizing gooseberries in August is an important step in plant care. After fruiting, the foundation for the future harvest is laid. Therefore, to prevent diseases and ensure abundant fruit production, it's necessary to use both commercial fertilizers and traditional methods.