Ground Cherries

Ground Cherries

August 29, 2024

Introduction

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.

The What

Ground cherries are small fruits, about the size of a marble, encased in a delicate papery husk. Resembling tiny tomatillos, they offer a delightful mix of sweet and tart flavors, akin to pineapple. These fruits are nutrient-rich, packed with vitamins A, C, and K, and minerals like iron and potassium. They are also a great source of dietary fiber, which aids digestion. The antioxidants in ground cherries help reduce inflammation and protect against diseases. Growing ground cherries brings a touch of the exotic to your urban garden, adding both flavor and nutrition to your frig​.

The Why

Introducing ground cherries to your NYC garden brings a unique fruit that's hard to find in stores. Perfect for container gardening, they fit beautifully in small urban spaces like balconies and rooftops. Ground cherries are a breeze to care for, needing full sunlight and well-draining soil. They produce lots of fruit with minimal effort, making them a rewarding addition to your garden. You can also intercrop them with arugula, basil, and lettuce to make the most of your space and add variety to your meals. Enjoy the fun and satisfaction of growing your own food, and bring a touch of elegance to your urban garden with these delightful fruits​.

Sunlight Requirements

Ground cherries prefer 6-8 hours of direct sunlight. Indoors: Not suitable for indoor growing; best grown outdoors in pots or garden beds.

Water Requirements

Keep soil consistently moist. Indoors, monitor soil moisture frequently; outdoors, water regularly, especially in full sun conditions. Mulching helps retain moisture.

Temperature Tolerance

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.

Container Size

Indoors: 10-12" wide, 10" deep, 3 gallons; Outdoors: 10-12" wide, 12" deep, 3-5 gallons

Best Soil Mix

Ground cherries love well-draining potting mix with organic matter, such as compost from vegetable peelings or garden compost.

How to Add Fertilizer

Use balanced fertilizer 10-10-10 every 2-3 weeks. Organic options: compost, fish emulsion, bone meal. Consistent feeding supports fruit production.

Growth Duration

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.

How To Trim

Minimal trimming is needed, but removing dead or diseased leaves maintains plant health. This ensures a steady supply of ground cherries.

Growing Challenges

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.

Interesting Facts

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Blog
Ground Cherries

Ground Cherries

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

Here are the essential Ground Cherries basics you need.

Sunlight Requirements

Ground cherries prefer 6-8 hours of direct sunlight. Indoors: Not suitable for indoor growing; best grown outdoors in pots or garden beds.

Water Requirements

Keep soil consistently moist. Indoors, monitor soil moisture frequently; outdoors, water regularly, especially in full sun conditions. Mulching helps retain moisture.

Temperature Tolerance

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.

Container Size

Indoors: 10-12" wide, 10" deep, 3 gallons; Outdoors: 10-12" wide, 12" deep, 3-5 gallons

Best Soil Mix

Ground cherries love well-draining potting mix with organic matter, such as compost from vegetable peelings or garden compost.

Fertilizing

Use balanced fertilizer 10-10-10 every 2-3 weeks. Organic options: compost, fish emulsion, bone meal. Consistent feeding supports fruit production.

Growth Duration

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.

How To Trim

Minimal trimming is needed, but removing dead or diseased leaves maintains plant health. This ensures a steady supply of ground cherries.

Growing Challenges

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.

The Many Varieties of Ground Cherries

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.

You can get a variety pack with 8 types of basil here.

Do you have any questions or requests? I'm here to help!

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