Imagine yourself, sitting on your balcony, gazing out over the NYC skyline, and plucking a sun-ripened ground cherry straight from the plant. No more settling for the meager selection at the Union Square farmers market. Trust me, once you taste the sweet, almost-tropical flavor of a homegrown ground cherry, you'll be wondering why you didn't start this urban farming adventure sooner.
Ground cherries prefer 6-8 hours of direct sunlight. Indoors: Not suitable for indoor growing; best grown outdoors in pots or garden beds.
Keep soil consistently moist. Indoors, monitor soil moisture frequently; outdoors, water regularly, especially in full sun conditions. Mulching helps retain moisture.
Ground cherries are a warm weather crop and prefer 70-85°F, ideally 75-80°F. Plant outdoors in May-June in NYC zone 7b. Requires heat for optimal fruiting.
Indoors: 10-12" wide, 10" deep, 3 gallons; Outdoors: 10-12" wide, 12" deep, 3-5 gallons
Ground cherries love well-draining potting mix with organic matter, such as compost from vegetable peelings or garden compost.
Use balanced fertilizer 10-10-10 every 2-3 weeks. Organic options: compost, fish emulsion, bone meal. Consistent feeding supports fruit production.
Ground cherries are ready for harvest 70-80 days after planting, or when the husks turn brown and fall off. Regular harvesting encourages more fruit production.
Minimal trimming is needed, but removing dead or diseased leaves maintains plant health. This ensures a steady supply of ground cherries.
Wilting: Water regularly, avoid waterlogging. Pests (Aphids): Spray with soapy water or neem oil. Yellow Leaves: Ensure good drainage, moderate watering. Slow Growth: Use balanced fertilizer. Diseases (Powdery Mildew): Improve air circulation, use fungicide.
There are around 10-15 varieties of arugula gardeners commonly grow. One of the perks of growing arugula at home is the opportunity to experiment with different varieties that you won't find at the grocery store.
Do you have any questions or requests? I'm here to help!