How to grow cape gooseberries in a raised bed

Cape gooseberries (goldenberries) are sweet-tart golden fruit wrapped in a papery lantern — a productive, easy-going relative of the tomatillo that's happy to sprawl in a warm raised bed and fruits for months.

Quick facts

• Position: full sun, 6+ hours
• Spacing: 60–90 cm apart
• Tub depth: our 35 cm depth
• Time to harvest: 4–5 months

When should I plant cape gooseberries?

Cape gooseberries are frost-tender — plant in spring after frost. In warm areas they're a short-lived perennial and often self-seed. Our free garden calendar shows the right months for your postcode.

• Subtropical (Brisbane & SEQ): August to December
• Temperate (Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth): September to November
• Cool & mountain (Tasmania, Canberra, highlands): October to November
• Tropical (Cairns, Darwin): September to December
• Arid inland: September to October

How do I grow cape gooseberries in a raised bed?

Plant into rich, warm mix and give them room to sprawl, or a low cage. They're vigorous and undemanding — easier than tomatoes and rarely troubled by much.

How often should I water and feed cape gooseberries?

Water regularly while fruiting; don't over-feed with nitrogen or you'll get leaf at the expense of fruit.

What pests attack cape gooseberries?

Keep an eye out for aphids, the 28-spotted ladybird and fruit fly. Most are easily managed — see our safe pest guide.

What diseases affect cape gooseberries?

The main ones are powdery mildew and mosaic virus. Good airflow, morning watering and steady moisture prevent most.

What grows well with cape gooseberries?

A relative of the tomatillo; basil and marigolds are good neighbours. See our companion planting guide.

When do I harvest cape gooseberries?

The fruit is ripe when the papery husk dries to straw and the berry inside turns golden — they often drop when ready, and store for weeks in their husks.

More growing guides: tomatillo, blueberries and strawberries.

Plan your patch: our free garden calendar shows what to plant now where you live. Ready to grow? Browse our raised garden beds or build your own with the garden bed builder.

Image: Don McCulley, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.