Ribes uva-crispa

Kruisbes / Gooseberry

Grossulariaceae (Ribesfamilie)

Europe (whole)

Back View cultivars and rootstocks

Edible plant part (1)

Fruits
Read 'form of consumption' for safe preparation methods

Toxic plant part (1)

None

Gooseberry belongs to the small shrubs in the food forest. In the process of ecological succession it is a mid species. The growth rate is medium. Fully grown the plant has an average height of 0.5 to 1 meter and a width of 0.5 to 0.8 meter.
The foliage (or leaf cover) is half-open.
This species forms a heart-shaped very shallow root system. This species is non spreading in the food forest. Gooseberry is no nitrogen fixer.

Disclaimer: The types of cultivars and hybrids in this database have been carefully chosen for good quality properties for food forests. They do not mean instant success. Food forestry is still a young field in which it is a core value to have the right plant in the right place and to focus on great diversity.

foto: AfroBrazilian, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ribes_uva-crispa_01.JPG

foto: AfroBrazilian, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ribes_uva-crispa_01.JPG

foto: Brass hat, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Grosellas.JPG

foto: MichielSt, https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f7/Ribes_uva-crispa_%28kruisbes%29_blad.jpg/2048px-Ribes_uva-crispa_%28kruisbes%29_blad.jpg

Growth factors

Frost (whole plant): very strong frost

cold frost

mild frost

light frost

no frost
Frost (flowers): very strong frost

cold frost

mild frost

light frost

no frost
Light: full sun

light shade

half shade

fairly deep shade

deep shade
Wind: strong sea wind

strong wind

some wind

sheltered

very sheltered
Soil texture: sand

loam

light clay

heavy clay

peat
Soil moisture: inundation

wet

moist

dry

drought
Groundwater level: very low

low

medium

high

very high
Soil acidity: very acid

acid

slightly acid

neutral

alkaline
Soil fertility: very rich

rich

average

poor

very poor

Voorkeur

Ongeschikt

Flowering and pollination

Flowering period (peak): early march, mid march, end of march, early april
Flowering period (length): several weeks
Pollination vector: insects, wind
Plant reproductive fertility: self-fertile (sf)

Life Span and Plant Health

Disease susceptibility

resistant

Main serious pests and diseases

rust, mildew

Harvest and Consumption

Fruits

Productivity - peak (yield) - maximum: High
Harvest location edible part: Knee height
Harvesting period - start: Varies per cultivar, early may, early july, mid july, end of july
Harvesting period - length: Several months, several weeks
Harvesting period - recognition: Easy, colour
Harvesting period - uniformity: High
Suitable harvesting methods: Hand
Ease of removal - edible parts: Easy
Thorns: Many or large
Size edible parts: Medium
Form of consumption: Fresh, processed
Natural storability: Several days
Suitable markets: Niche
Productive life span - start (year) - minimum: 3
Productive life span - peak (year) - minimum: 20
Productive life span - peak (year) - minimum: 5
Productive life span - peak (year) - maximum: 30
Productive life span - peak (year) - maximum: 10
Productive life span - end (year) - maximum: 40
Productivity - peak (kg) - minimum: 3.5
Productivity - peak (kg) - maximum: 4.5

Culinary appreciation

Gooseberry tart (a regional specialty known among older generations) is rich in vitamins and moderately sweet.

References