How to grow Cape Gooseberry in Australia
Grow cape gooseberry in full sun in well-drained soil that is not too rich, as overly fertile ground gives leaves over fruit. Water steadily while flowering and fruiting.
At a glance
- Difficulty: Beginner
- Sun: Full sun
- Water: 4 litres a week, watered every 3 days
- Spacing: 60 cm
- Time to harvest: 90 days
- Time to germinate: 10 days
- Soil pH: 5.5 to 7
- Frost tolerance: Half hardy
When to sow by region
| Region | When to sow | Regional note |
|---|---|---|
| South East Queensland | August to November | |
| Northern Rivers NSW | August to November | |
| Sydney & Coastal NSW | August to November | |
| Melbourne & Victoria | September to November | Start indoors Sep, transplant Oct after frost. Annual in Melbourne. |
| Adelaide & SA | August to November | |
| Perth & WA | August to October | Sow Aug to Oct so plants are established before summer. Short lived perennial on the frost free plain; cut back after fruiting. |
| Tasmania | October and November | Grow as an annual. Start indoors Sep, plant out Oct to Nov. Fruit ripens late - pick before hard frost. |
| Canberra & ACT | September to November | Grow as a summer annual. Sow Sep indoors, plant out Nov; frost kills plants in autumn. |
| North Queensland | April to August | Dry season crop. Sow Apr to Aug; fruit sets poorly and rots in wet season humidity. |
| Darwin & Top End | April to July | Dry season crop. Sow Apr to Jul; fruit sets poorly and rots in wet season humidity. |
Varieties
- Cape Gooseberry
Companion planting
Good companions
Avoid planting near
- Potato
- Eggplant (rotation)
Harvest and storage
Harvest tip
The fruit is ready when the papery husk turns dry and tan and the berry inside is golden. Gather fruit that has dropped or pull the husks that release with a tug.
Storage
In husks at room temp for weeks. Fridge for 1 month. Make jam for longer.