A double row of gooseberry seedlings 200’ long—about 400 seedlings. These seedlings were set out in early May and photographed June 25.
6-26-23 A good stand of seedlings this year. Cooler-than-usual weather at planting time (May) was a big help.
The groundcover pictured is 5’ wide. It comes in 6’ rolls—6” on each side has been turned under (doubled), which helps control weeds at the edge as well as prevent staples from ripping through the fabric.
Seedlings are spaced 1’ apart; and numbered according to their distance (in feet) from the irrigation riser at the beginning of the row. Risers/rows are also numbered, e.g., row 24; or in the case of a double row, 24a and 24b. For keeping records, each seedling is given a unique number based upon the year it was planted, the row, and its position in the row, e.g., 23-24a-163.
The irrigation risers at the beginning of the rows are set 10’ apart—wide enough for 5’ of groundcover + 5’ of aisle. After a few years when selected seedlings are removed, the remaining seedlings bush hogged and the groundcover taken up, the aisle will become the new row; and the old row, the new aisle.
Seedlings are planted in groundcover in a double row with drip tubing down the middle. Grass, and especially crabgrass, is the worst weed in gooseberries here.