Quck answer
Growing ground cherries is a simple process that can be done in your own backyard. Start by planting the seeds in well-drained soil, either directly in the ground or in pots. Water the plants regularly, keeping the soil moist but not waterlogged. Provide support for the plants as they grow, using stakes or cages. Ground cherries are ready to harvest when they turn yellow and fall off the plant easily. They can be eaten fresh, used in recipes, or preserved by drying or freezing. With a little care and attention, you can enjoy a bountiful harvest of ground cherries.
Ground cherries, also known as cape gooseberries, husk cherries, and goldenberries, are strange yet delicious fruits that come from a perennial plant in the nightshade family. The plant produces cherry-like fruit that is enclosed in a papery husk. These plants are typically 3 feet tall with purple-hued spreading branches and heart-shaped leaves. Depending on the species, they can be found in the tropics of South America or in the United States and are hardy in USDA zones 6 through 11. However, they can also be grown as an annual in cooler climates.
Uses for Ground Cherries
Ground cherries are mainly grown for their unusual and delicious fruit. They are easy-care plants that thrive on neglect as long as they get generous amounts of water on a regular basis. The plants can be grown in garden beds or containers in an area that gets plenty of sun, no frost, and some protection from strong winds. They are attractive plants with deep, ribbed foliage, making them a great choice for any backyard.
How to Grow Ground Cherries
- Common Name: Ground cherries
- Botanical Name: Physalis spp.
- When to Plant: Sow seeds as early as possible, ideally by February. Plant rooted cuttings in mid-May.
- USDA Zones: 6-11, depending on species
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
- Soil Type: Moist, well-draining soil
- When it’s in Trouble: With inadequate irrigation, this plant will die. Consistent irrigation is essential.
- When it’s Thriving: Pretty foliage and branches hanging heavy with bright summer flowers, turning to fruits in papery pods in August
Starting Ground Cherries From Seed
If you are starting ground cherries from seed, start early, ideally in February. You can find the seeds at your local garden store or buy them from a specialty garden store online. Alternatively, you can use seeds from last year’s fruit. Aunt Molly’s Ground Cherry (Physalis pruinosa ‘Aunt Molly’s’) is a particularly attractive Polish heirloom. To collect your own seeds, split open the fruit, remove the seeds with tweezers, and dry them for a few weeks in a warm location before sowing. Ground cherries are not picky about soil, as long as it is well-draining. Fill planting pots with normal potting soil, moisten the soil, and then sprinkle the seeds onto the surface, pressing them lightly into the soil with a finger.
Growing Ground Cherries from Seed
To ensure that your ground cherry plants germinate, place the containers in a warm and sunny location. Without sunlight, the seeds will not sprout. Make sure to keep the soil and seeds moist using a spray bottle. Germination can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks. Continue to spray the soil as needed and let the seedlings grow until mid-May, at which point they can be transplanted to the garden.
Starting Ground Cherries From Seedlings
If you live in a big city, you may be able to find ground cherry plant seedlings at a garden store. Otherwise, you can start your own seeds and transplant the seedlings to the garden in mid-May. Choose a sunny garden plot with well-draining soil that is ideally sandy or gravelly. When transplanting, make sure the seedlings are at the same level in the soil surface as they were in the container. Space the plants 3 feet apart, or plant them in large containers on the porch or patio.
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Best Growing Zones for Ground Cherries
Ground cherry plants are hardy in USDA plant hardiness zones 6 through 11, depending on the species and cultivar. If you live in these warm zones, you can plant ground cherries one year and they may produce fruit for up to 10 years. In cooler zones, ground cherries can be grown as annuals and harvested in the fall. It is also possible to overwinter potted ground cherries indoors. Protect perennial ground cherry plants from harsh winds by planting them near a south-facing wall.
When to Plant Ground Cherries
For a same-year harvest, it is recommended to start ground cherry seeds in February and transplant in May. In cooler areas, start seedlings indoors and wait until after the last frost to transplant them. Ground cherries can grow well in any well-draining soil, but prefer soil mixed with sand or small gravel. Avoid over-fertilization, as it can lead to excessive foliage growth at the expense of fruit production.
The ideal location for ground cherry plants is a sunny and frost-free area. To provide additional warmth and protect them from strong winds, position them near a wall. If you’re concerned about frost, cover the plants with plastic sheeting or fabric row covers. To create a more compact ground cherry, pinch back the shoots if they get leggy.
It’s crucial to consistently irrigate ground cherries to obtain a good fruit crop. All growth stops during a drought, and if the plants dry out, the fruit crop will be severely limited. Overwatering is only an issue if the soil isn’t well-draining. If you have poorly draining soil, consider planting in raised beds or mounded rows.
Ground cherry plants can be propagated by stem cuttings, but they won’t have the same vitality as seedling-grown plants. To propagate from cuttings, take 4- to 6-inch cuttings from last year’s shoots. Use a long, diagonal cut to take each cutting from a leaf axil in autumn. Alternatively, take slightly longer cuttings and recut the shoot on a long diagonal to maximize the uptake of water and nutrients. Use rooting hormone on the cut area to increase the chances of the plant growing roots. Place the shoots in plant pots filled with normal soil, and keep them in a warm location with indirect light and consistently moist soil. The cuttings should root over time, and you can plant them in mid-May.
If you live in an area where ground cherries can’t survive outside in winter, pot them and bring them indoors to a heated area. Prune them back just before bringing them inside, and provide them with light and consistent water.
The fruit of ground cherry plants is hidden inside a sheath of green leaves. The leaves wilt and die back as the fruit ripens, and when the sheaths turn straw-colored with an orange tinge, it’s time to try the fruit. Taste one or two fruits by stripping off the sheaths and trying the round balls inside. If they’re not sweet, wait another week before trying again. The mature fruit should be yellow-orange and sweet, tart, and fresh, like grapes.
Consistent watering is essential to prevent underwatering, which is the most severe problem for ground cherries. Overfertilization can increase foliage size and amount but decrease flowers and fruit. Cut worms can attack young seedlings, so use plant collars or sprinkle ground eggshells at the base of the plant. Tomato hornworms can also be a problem, so head out at night with a flashlight to pick them off by hand.
When it comes to Colorado potato beetles, it’s best to manually remove them from your plants. These small beetles have yellow and black stripes. Flea beetles, on the other hand, aren’t too harmful, but they can eat holes in the foliage.
Ground Cherries and Their Common Diseases
Powdery mildew is a common fungal disease that’s easily recognizable by its powdery appearance on plant leaves. This disease is often caused by excessive water on the foliage. To treat powdery mildew, only water the base of the plant and spray with neem oil.
Root rot is typically caused by poor drainage. When water becomes trapped in the soil, it can cause the roots to rot. For heavy or clay soils, it’s recommended to add organic matter or plant in a raised bed with well-draining potting soil.
FAQ
1. What are ground cherries and how do they taste?
Ground cherries, also known as husk cherries or Cape gooseberries, are small fruits that are native to the Americas. They are similar in size to cherry tomatoes and are enclosed in a thin, papery husk. Ground cherries have a unique sweet and tart flavor, reminiscent of a combination of pineapple and tomato. Some people describe the taste as tropical and citrusy.
2. How do I grow ground cherries?
Growing ground cherries is relatively easy. They can be grown from seeds, which can be started indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost date or directly sown into the garden after the danger of frost has passed. Choose a location with full sun and well-drained soil. Plant the seeds about 1/4 inch deep and keep the soil moist until the seeds germinate. Once the plants are established, they are quite hardy and require minimal care. Regular watering and occasional fertilization will help promote healthy growth and fruit production.
3. When are ground cherries ready to harvest?
Ground cherries are ready to harvest when they have fully ripened and fallen to the ground. The husks will turn brown and dry out, indicating that the fruit is mature. You can also gently squeeze the husks to check if the fruit is firm and plump. If the fruit is soft or mushy, it may be overripe or spoiled. To harvest, simply pick up the fallen husks from the ground. Remove the husks before consuming the fruit. Ground cherries can be eaten fresh, used in various culinary applications, or preserved by canning or freezing.