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 to plant: 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 planting calendar shows the right months for your postcode.

Growing it 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.

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

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

Common diseases: the main ones are powdery mildew and mosaic virus. Good airflow, morning watering and steady moisture prevent most.

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

Harvest and storage: 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 planting 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: Forest and Kim Starr, CC BY 3.0 us, via Wikimedia Commons.