Soft fruit focus – Gojiberries & gooseberries!

Gojiberry

Harvest – July and September

These amazing wee berries contain more vitamin C than an orange!

Position – Plant in full sun or partial shade in almost any type of soil but thrives best on well drained soil. Hardy in all areas.

Planting – Water thoroughly or stand container in water for an hour before planting. Platin in hold large enough to avoid disturbing the root ball. Back-fill with soil previously mixed with peat substitute and a suitable fertilizer.

Plant care – Make sure the plant is watered often, especially in dry weather for at least the first growing season, until the plant roots are well established. Feed in spring with general fertilizer.

Gojiberry cookies

Cream together 225g of butter and 110g of caster sugar. Sift in 275g of plain flour, half a cup of gojiberries and a squeeze of lemon juice. Bring the mixture together until it forms a dough. Roll the dough into walnut size balls and place on a baking tray, flatten them with a flat knife and bake at 170C until golden brown.

Gooseberries – green and red

Position – Moist but not waterlogged soil. Sheltered site in sun or partial shade.

Planting – Water thoroughly or stand container in water for an hour before planting. Plant in hole large enough to avoid disturbing root ball. Back-fill with soil previously mixed with peat substitute and a suitable fertilizer.

Plant care – Keep moist. Avoid disturbing roots after planting.

Gooseberry pie

Soften 3 cups of gooseberries in a pan on a low heat for 10 minutes. Cool and then mix in half a cup of plain flour and one and a half cups of sugar. Pour the contents into a dish and top with a pie crust. Bake at 190c for 45minutes.

Rhubarb

Harvest – March to August

Position – Plant 90cm apart in well cultivated soil in sun or partial shade.

Planting – Water thoroughly or stand container in water for an hour before planting. Plant in hole large enough to avoid disturbing root ball. Back-fill with soil previously  mixed with peat substitute and a suitable fertilizer.

Plant care – keep moist. Avoid disturbing roots after planting.

Rhubarb and mushroom soup

Cook 2 finely chopped carrots, 2 chopped celery stalks, 2 cups of diced rhubarb and one sliced onion in 4 cups of water for 20 minutes. Strain. Add one cup of sliced and lightly fried mushrooms. Add 2 tablespoons of plain flour and boil. Remove from heat and season. Serves 4.