Gooseberries:

Taken from the book 'Fruit-Growing' by N.B. Bagenal

• bush approx 2m (5-6ft)
• espalier approx 2m (5-6ft) 
• Best age to plant-2yrs,years to come into bearing 2-3 yrs, useful life of tree-12-15 yrs.

Taken from the book 'The complete handbook of fruit growing' by Roy Genders

As the gooseberry tolerates and enjoys partial shade, it is suitable crop to plant between young apple trees.

The gooseberries are removed when about twenty years old to allow the orchard trees the maximum of room for cultivation.

They may be planted into their permanent sites three feet apart each way in partial shade and after two years, alternate plants removed and replanted six feet apart.

Closer planting in a small garden is possible where growth may be kept under control with pruning.

Similar amounts of potash and nitrogen should be used, strawberries are a suitable crop for growing between the rowes, while the plants ar young, but care must be taken not to damage the roots. Alpine strawberries, liking shade, do well when planted between gooseberries. The gooseberries will also provide strawberries with protection against frost.

Blackcurrants:

Taken from the book 'Fruit-Growing' by N.B. Bagenal

• bush approx. 1.5m, (4-5ft)
• espalier approx. 2m, (5-6ft)
• best age to plant-2yrs, years to come to bearing2-3 yrs, useful life of tree-30-50yrs.

Taken from the book 'The complete handbook of fruit growing' by Roy Genders

The shoots should be cut back to about three inches of the base upon planting but will produce no crop the first season, it matters little when planting is done, the state of the ground being the governing factor. If the ground is prepared during October, planting is done in November. The shoots ar untouched until mid-March, when they are cut back to stimulate the formation of plenty of new growth, no mulching being done during the first summer. Firm planting is essential; the plants should be re-firmed when they are pruned back after winter frosts.

If two or more varieties are planted together, a much better fruit set will result.

Raspberries:

Taken from the book 'Fruit-Growing' by N.B. Bagenal

• bush approx. 2-2.5m, (6-8ft)
• best age to plant-2-3yrs, years to come to bearing 2yrs, useful life of tree-5-10yrs.

Taken from the book 'The complete handbook of fruit growing' by Roy Genders

The canes should be planted 18 inches apart in the rows, depending on the vigour of th variety, plant neither too shallow nor too deep. The latter is a common failur when planting raspberries, for many rely on deep planting to support the cane, Two inches below the surface of the soil is the required depth, Deeper than three inches may mean that new growth is never seen.

When the canes have beenplanted and made firm, they should be cut back to 12 inches from the soil level. This is to encourage vigorous new shoots to appear during the first season, there will be no fruit in the first season.

Where the soil is particularly heavy and the land not well drained, planting is best done in March. Cane growth will be stimulated by giving the rows regular mulching, with compost, lawn mowings, granulated peat, partially composted straw or well rotted manure.

Red and White Currants

Taken from the book 'Fruit-Growing' by N.B. Bagenal

• bush approx. 2m, (5-6ft)
• espalier approx. 2m, (5-6ft)
• best age to plant-2yrs,years to come to bearing 2-3yrs, useful life of tree-15yrs.

Taken from the book 'The complete handbook of fruit growing' by Roy Genders

Plants may be set out three to four feeet apart each way, before planting, any roots which may have formed on the leg should be removed, otherwise these are liable to form suckers, which must be removed with a sharp knife.

It is important to select a sheltered position, for they detest cold winds almost as much as blackcurrants. Not only will a strong wind cause bud dropping, but it will also damage the plants by breaking off the brittle wood. For this reason these currants alwayscrop better in warmer districts or in a walled garden.

Josterberry

Treat as for Gooseberries.

Worcesberry

Treat as for Gooseberries.

Soft fruit benefit from mulching approx. 1m, (2-3 feet) around the base of the plants, which can help with weeding and helps avoid damaging the roots just under the surface. Soft fruit needs potash and seaweed extract contains high levels of potash and is available from ISSA.