I am in Southcentral Pennsylvania, also in the US, and have no trouble growing the bushes; in fact, they spread madly. Also, the gooseberry blossoms form up in the Spring, but for the exception of a Japanese variety, I have never gotten any gooseberries. I don't always prune them, but shouldn't I get some despite that? Also, they are planted near pines, so I don't think the need for an acid soil is the problem.

The local plant shop has been no help. My only guess is that sparrows may be eating the spring flowers and tiny berries. Could this be the problem?

If any of you grow gooseberries, do you cover them to protect from sparrows? I have noticed sparrows do seem to like to shelter in them.

Gooseberries fruit on wood that is at least a year old; so you should certainly get fruit on unpruned bushes, but you won't get fruit on first year wood. A main reason for pruning is to keep the bushes to a manageable size and make harvesting easier.

I've grown them very successfully both in the mild climate of South-West England and here in the harsher climate of Central Finland. I've never found birds a problem.

This link is quite informative:

http://www.crfg.org/pubs/ff/gooseberry.html

I will try the link.

Some of my bushes are in a spot where ducks once lived, but those are the ones doing the best! They are also closest to the pines, and get a bit more drainage and sun...Hmmmm.