Class Assignment 2

So for my Edible Gardening in the City class at George Brown I need to hand in a 1 page report. Rather than writing it out I have decided to type it up here and post it (its gonna get posted here anyways).

Assignment 2: Plant Selection and Cultivation:
Select [an] edible plant you want to grow. Describe the desired organic growing conditions, how & when to start seed, maintenance required and possible insect and disease challenges. Suggest companion plants. Give suggestions for use when mature (one page)

So for my plant I am actually going to select a plant that I picked out last year which is a Gooseberry. I picked this plast last spring since it was suggested as a shade tolerant plant and since my girlfriend (Talia) loves gooseberries; unfortunately I don't know which specific type of gooseberry I have :(. When I picked the plant I didn't really investigate that much but since then I have found that it is actually quite a nice plant for my balcony garden. So without further adue:

Plant: Gooseberry. Part of the Ribes family (as is currents) the scientific name is Ribes uva-crispa (European variety) and Ribes Hirtellum (America). Hardy to zone 3

Organic growing conditions:

• full or partial sun
• fertile soil with good drainage
• Add lots of mulch (5-10 cm) around the plant as it likes cool, moist soil. 
• Plant requires large amounts of potassium and magnesium and low amounts of nitrogen

How & when to start seed:

I have never seen them started from seed so I think they reproduce via underground runners. Instructions I have found all involve growing from a cane (which is how my plant came).

• Plant out in autumn or early spring
• Can tolerate being in a pot that is at least 14 inches tall
• Add compost or well rotted manure to hole
• Plant canes slightly deeper than they were previously growing
• Space plants 3 feet apart (in rows 6 feet apart if growing in rows)
• Prune back to 2 buds to encourage growth
• fruit is produced after the first year

Maintenance Required:

• Additional fertilization is often not required beyond the yearly mulching.
• Remove any "suckers" that grow from the root or stem. Remove suckers from where they attach to the main stem (don't just cut them off at ground level as this will encourage growth)
• a sucker is a shoot that grows from the plant base or below ground. 
• Thin our the fruit on each branch when the berries get to be the size of large peas (0.5 cm) to allow the remaining fruit to grow to full size.
• Birds will eat the buds so you can cover the plant in netting
• Once the blossoms have started you can cover in a thick netting to protect from frost. Make sure to remove the netting during the day to allow insects to pollinate.
• Prune in autumn or winter
• Prune a 1 year old bush to keep the center of the bush open to light and air.
• choose the best 3-4 shoots and cut them back above a bud to a quarter of their length. cut other shoots flush with the stem.
• Prune a 2 year old bush
• choose 6-8 of the strongest shoots. Cut new growth by half if shoot is growing well or by 2/3 if growth is weak. Cut other shoots to one bud from their bases.
• Prune an established bush
• In winter cut back branch leaders of established bushes by half their new growth.
• prune the strongest side shoots to 8cm and the weak ones to 3cm.
• remove weakest shoots
• When fruit is developing net the fruit to prevent birds from eating them
• Leaf margin (edge of leaf) scorching and weak branches are a sign of potassium deficiency
• For a boost to the plant feed with fish emulsion solution or compost tea

Possible Insects and disease challenges:

• Aphids: leaves curled or blistered, often with reddish tinge; shoot tips may be distorted
• Dormant oil in winter
• Wash off with strong water
• Sawfly larva: leaf tissue eaten
• remove by hand
• Magpie moth caterpillars: leaf tissue eaten
• remove caterpillars by hand
• Botryis (fungus): fruits have grey moldy deposits. Leaves often show brownish of black areas.
• Powdery Mildew: white powdery masses on leaves, shoots, fruits; later, masses turn brown, shoots become distorted
• Cut off affected shoots in autumn.

Companion Plants:

• Basil
• Tomatoes
• Fuchsias
• Broad beans

Usage: Gooseberry Jam

Ingredients:

1. As many fresh gooseberries as you can collect (weigh them)
2. 300 g sugar for ever 400 g of gooseberries
3. 1/2 cup water
4. extra sugar to taste

Directions:

1. Add the gooseberries and water in a bot and bring to a boil.
2. Add sugar and dissolve.
3. Boil hard for about 5 minutes or until mixture thickens to your desired consistency
4. add extra sugar to taste if your gooseberries are very tart