Speaking of Gooseberries...

Does anyone know if gooseberries and currants are still banned from Maine?  If this place ever sells (and it may now, because the price has been dropped a bunch), I've found a nice little place in central Maine, near Unity, that I'm looking seriously at.  It's got eighteen acres and is mostly wooded.  I've been trying to figure out what to plant -- would love to put in some gooseberries and currants, but if they are still banned because of the white pine blister rust, I'll have to do without them.

Kathleen

some areas are dropping the bans as the rust has not been a problem with connecting them any longer in most areas..however, in Michigan I still believe they are banned..you can't BUY them, but you can grow them..I have black currant, gooseberries AND white pines.

the rust was more of a problem in the west than in the east I THINK

I just did what I should have done to start with, and googled it -- most of Maine still bans most ribes.  European Black Currant and it's hybrids are still banned in the whole state.  It's too bad, as I like gooseberries and some of the currants, and they grow well there.

Kathleen

Speaking of them, I haven't gotten a bloom or berry out of the two plants I planted last year.  All the black currants and jostaberries are fruiting just fine.

I am planting Gooseberries (Giant Cape) for the first time in my life...this year.

*crosses fingers*

Anyone with great success...can you give away your tried and true secrets?

I am thinking of moving my gooseberries soon. They are both in one of my few prime sunny spots, and I recently read where they do just fine in the shade. I think I will save my sunny spot for something which requires it.

Some shade is definitely preferred over intense, southern sun exposure. I recently read in the mid-atlantic berry guide that multiple days in a row over 95 F with sun exposure can cause them to drop their fruits before ripening. With you being in Texas, I'd say give them some shade and go heavy on the mulch. Best of luck - joe

I too am thinking about planting Gooseberrys for the 1st time. I have a spot next to a Black walnut tree that I would like to put them. Does anyone know if the black walnut will effect them adversly like it does for many veggys. Any imput is welcome. Thanks.

I know walnuts harm blackberries and blueberries, but have no idea about gooseberries.

Kathleen Sanderson wrote:I just did what I should have done to start with, and googled it -- most of Maine still bans most ribes.  European Black Currant and it's hybrids are still banned in the whole state.  It's too bad, as I like gooseberries and some of the currants, and they grow well there.

Kathleen

You should be able to get seeds and grow them though just fine.

Pretty sure ribes aren't too badly affected by juglone.

Gooseberries grow wild everyplace (where we are) on the coast of Maine. They seem to thrive where the ocean punishes them most during the winter storms.
I make jelly from them. When I ordered currants, black and red, from Miller's, they wanted to know our physical address, the proximity to the nearest pine(s),
the county where we live, etc. The first year I was able to order my currants, the next year not, the next year I could again. Obviously, the rules change from year to year. While our area never has been a 'piney' one (along with the Gooseberries, there is a red currant patch over 100 years old up in the village) so maybe pines just never felt welcome here. Okay with me as there are woods all over and I like my berries. I've found that extension/state people may be mistaken since currants and gooseberries were simply an 'absolutely not' thing for so very long. Most still think that is true for everywhere. When you see them in your gardening catalogue, call that company. They will know (usually). If you already have some berries and are ordering more, tell them you have them on your land. Miller's is pretty careful and they are a very reputable company. Keep trying to order your currants or gooseberries. Rules change. The person at the other end is not always correct. The berries are well worth the effort.