Ground Cherry - Vegetable seeds - Aunt Molly's - Goldenberry - Gooseberry

Little cherry sized fruits wrapped in a papery husk. These have a sweet little bite that tastes like a cross between a tomato and a pineapple. One of my favourites to pop in my mouth while out in the garden.

How to Grow Ground Cherries (​Physalis):

Commonly known as ground cherry, dwarf cape gooseberry, and strawberry tomato, this plant produces
a small, yellow, edible berry surrounded by a papery husk. Ground cherries typically produce hundreds of
fruit on each plant.

How/When to Start Indoors:​

Ground cherry plants are best started under cover and planted out. Sow
seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost. Plant seeds ¼-inch deep.

Time to Germination:​

Seeds will germinate in 7–10 days.

When to Transplant: ​

Plant outdoors two to four weeks after your last expected frost. (Check this frost
calendar to determine the average last frost date for your area.) Be sure to harden off seedlings before
planting outdoors. Plants prefer a rich, light, warm soil and a sunny position.

Spacing Requirements:

​Transplanting into the garden, space plants at least 2 feet apart. Ground cherries
have a sprawling growth habit similar to tomatillos. Be sure to give plants plenty of space in the garden.

Special Considerations:

​If you have grown ground cherries before, you may not even need to plant this
crop again as ground cherries often volunteer in the garden. Make sure that your soil is well fertilized as
this crop is a heavy feeder and takes a lot of nutrients from the soil.

Common Pests and Diseases (and how to manage​):

Ground cherries are not susceptible to many
bacterial, fungal, or viral diseases. However, plants do occasionally suffer damage from flea beetles,
whiteflies, ground cherry leaf beetles, and mites. Keep plants regularly watered and place ​floating row
covers over them if these pests are particularly prevalent in your garden.

Harvest (when and how):​

The fruits must be fully ripe to be edible. At maturity, the husks of fruits
become dry and papery, and the fruits drop from the plants. Mature fruits should be collected from the
ground after they have fallen. The husk is inedible and must be removed.

Eating:

​Ground cherries can be eaten fresh, processed into jam, and baked into pies. Their distinctive,
sweet-tart taste lends itself to preserves, sauces, and tarts.

Storing:​

Compared to many fleshy fruits, ripe ground cherries have a long shelf life and can be held for
several weeks, for both eating and seed saving.

Each package has approximately 40 seeds.

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