I’ve always wanted to grow amazing ground cherries, but they eluded me for three summers before I got them right.
- In the first year, I had a bad batch of seeds that had no germination.
- In the second year, I killed all my seedlings.
- In the third year, I managed to get them to live, but I only had about eight fruits to show for my efforts.
The fourth year was a charm, and once I managed to grow them successfully, I was hooked!
Even though ground cherries are related to tomatoes and tomatillos, they are a sweet, pineapple-tasting fruit that everyone in the family is sure to enjoy! Here’s a bit about what I’ve learned through my trials and errors growing these delicious little fruits.
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The secret to growing amazing ground cherries in zone 3
Treat them like a tomato!
Give your ground cherries lots of heat, lots of water, and any extra nutrients and any special love you would give your prized tomato. Once I did this, my success with ground cherries increased tenfold.
While you’re are it, if you want my tips for growing successful tomatoes, check out these posts:
- The Foolproof Way to Grow the Best Tomatoes (Even if You’re a Beginner Gardener)
- To Prune or Not to Prune (Your Tomatoes is the Question)
- Don’t Pinch Your Tomatoes! (Do This Instead)
Frequently Asked Questions about Ground Cherries
How do you know when ground cherries are ripe?
Ground cherries are ready when their husks turn a pale yellow and they fall off the plant and onto the ground (thus their name). So don’t go picking them off their branches- they’re not ready!
What do ground cherries taste like?
If they are not at full ripeness, ground cherries taste like a tropical tomato, if such a thing existed. If they are fully ripe, they taste like pineapple.
My son is extremely picky, and he will gobble them up as fast as I do.
When I have ground cherries in my garden, one of my greatest pleasures is taking guests to the raised bed where thye grow. I’ve convinced almost every person who’s tried them to try growing them because of their delicious pineapple-esque flavour.
Can I direct-sow ground cherries?
No! You must start ground cherries 6-8 weeks before your last frost. Where I garden in Zone 3, Saskatchewan Week 7 is the perfect time to start ground cherries. They are also delicate like a tomato, so wait until June to set them out in Zone 3 unless you’re using a Kozy Coat.
Where is the best place to get ground cherry seeds?
Aunt Molly’s is the standard variety that I grow. If I can’t get my seeds from West Coast Seeds, I’ll check if T and T, Veseys, or Incredible Seeds have them. In the U.S., Baker Creek and Johnny’s will certainly have them.
Are ground cherries frost-tolerant?
Nope! Not in the slightest. Once the frost hits, the harvest is over.
Will you grow ground cherries next year?
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NEED MORE HELP IN THE GARDEN?
Green thumbs aren’t just given out at birth. They’re a combination of learning about gardening and trial and error. If you wish you knew more about gardening and had more confidence in your abilities, you need the Growing Roots Gardening Guide. It’s everything you need to go from complete garden newb to confident gardener in one growing season.
Kathy