Gooseberry Sawfly

[gardengnome]

Hi..Advice please!
It is the first time I have grown gooseberries. I don't like to use sprays and I have read that sawfly caterpillers are a problem. So I wonder if I covered the bushes with enviromesh now, would that stop sawflies and protect the bushes? - Regards, gardengnome

[Johnboy]

Hi Gardengnome,
In order to protect your bushes you would have to completely enshroud the bush not simply cover it.
If you are unlucky enough to have Saw Fly then you must lay an area under the bush without touching the bush then when it is in place tap the trunk hard and the caterpillars will all drop off onto the polythene (well that's the theory!). When these flies are mature they form their cocoons in the soil below and the following year emerge and you are in trouble again so the more you can get rid of the better it becomes. The problem is that you will need Bee's to give you a good crop so if you completely cover you may be giving yourself another problem.
Suggest that you wait to cover until the fruit are setting then cover.
JB.

[gardengnome]

Thank you Johnboy, for your advice, I have learnt a lot!
Regards, Gardengnome

[Geoff]

There is a comment in a companion planting article in the new Gardeners World magazine:
"Grow poached-egg plants under fruit bushes to attract beneficial insects. My gooseberries haven't suffered from sawfly since I underplanted them."

[gardengnome]

Thanks Geoff, I shall definately try that as I do like the idea of companion planting

regards gardengnome