Ground Cherry Donation Tracker

🌱 How & Where to Grow Ground Cherries:

• Start seeds 8-10 weeks before last frost – they need a long season!
• Transplant when soil reaches 65°F and all danger of frost has passed.
• Space plants 2-3 feet apart – they sprawl like tomatoes.
• Plant depth: Set transplants deep like tomatoes for stronger root system.
• Sunlight: Full sun (6-8 hours) for best fruit production.
• Soil Type: Well-drained soil with pH 6.0-6.8.
• Soil Amendment: Moderate fertility – too rich produces leaves over fruit.

Ground cherries self-sow readily – let a few fruits drop and you’ll have volunteers next year!
 

🌡️ Temperature Guidance:

Transplant when soil 65°F. Frost sensitive. Thrives 65-75°F.

• Starting seeds: Need 75°F for good germination.
• Transplanting: Wait until nights stay above 55°F.
• Growing: Optimal temperatures 65-75°F.
• More cold-tolerant than tomatoes once established.
• Light frost kills plants but fallen fruits continue ripening.

Michigan’s moderate summers are perfect – ground cherries struggle in extreme heat!
 

💧 How to Care for:

• Consistent Moisture: Important during fruit development.
• Watering: 1-1.5 inches weekly – similar to tomatoes.
• Mulch: Heavy mulch keeps fallen fruits clean and makes harvesting easier.
• Support: Optional – cages keep plants tidy but they produce well sprawling.
• Fertilizer: Light feeding monthly – avoid excess nitrogen.

📏 Harvest Signs:

Fruits drop naturally with tan husks. Never eat green fruits!

• Ready when: Husks turn tan/brown and fruits drop to ground.
• Inside husk: Fruit changes from green to golden yellow.
• Don’t force: Fruits that don’t drop easily aren’t ripe.
• Warning: Green fruits are toxic – only eat fully ripe golden fruits!
• Peak harvest typically August through first frost.

The plant tells you when fruits are ready by dropping them – nature’s perfect timing!
 

🧺 Harvesting:

Gather fallen fruits daily. Check under mulch. Leave in husks until use.

• Daily collection prevents fruits from rotting on ground.
• Look carefully – fruits hide under leaves and in mulch.
• Shake plants gently to encourage ripe fruits to drop.
• Keep husks on for storage – remove just before eating.
• Rinse fruits after removing husks – they’re sticky!

🪲 Michigan Pests:

Generally pest-free! Occasional hornworms, Colorado potato beetles.

• Hornworms: Same as tomatoes – hand-pick these large caterpillars.
• Colorado potato beetles: May visit but prefer other nightshades.
• Flea beetles: Minor damage to leaves – rarely serious.
• Diseases: Less susceptible than tomatoes to most diseases.
• Husks protect fruits from most pest damage!

🫱🏽‍🫲🏼 Companions:

Good with tomatoes, peppers, basil, marigolds.

• Nightshade family members share similar care needs.
• Basil may improve flavor and deter pests.
• Marigolds help repel harmful insects.
• Avoid planting near brassicas or fennel.
• Give space – sprawling habit can overwhelm small plants.

🫙 Preservation:

Store in husks 2-3 months. Freeze whole. Make preserves.

• Fresh storage: In husks at room temperature 1 month, refrigerated 2-3 months.
• Freezing: Remove husks, wash, freeze whole on trays.
• Dehydrating: Makes raisin-like treats – very sweet!
• Preserves: Excellent in jams, jellies, and pie filling.
• Green fruits: Will ripen indoors if husks are turning color.

🧑🏽‍🍳 Recipes:

Ground cherry pie, salsa, jam, raw in salads, fruit tarts.

• Ground cherry pie – like a tropical version of cherry pie!
• Fresh salsa with ground cherries, tomatoes, and cilantro.
• Ground cherry jam – concentrated sunshine in a jar.
• Raw in fruit salads – sweet-tart tropical flavor.
• Upside-down cake featuring ground cherries.

✋🏼 Michigan Tips:

• Start seeds early – by March 1 for strong transplants.
• Use black plastic mulch to warm soil and speed growth.
• Let some fruits self-sow for easy volunteers next year.
• Protect from early frost to extend harvest – very productive!
• One plant produces 100-300 fruits in Michigan gardens.
• Consider greenhouse growing for earliest fruits.

🧠 Fun Facts:

• Also called husk cherries, cape gooseberries, or Physalis.
• Native to Central and South America, not Africa despite “Cape” name.
• Related to tomatillos – both have papery husks.
• Sweet-tart flavor combines pineapple, vanilla, and tomato notes.
• Pioneer women made “mock lemon pie” from ground cherries.
• The husks were used as natural wrappers for preserving fruits.
• Contains more antioxidants than many common berries!
• In some cultures, given as symbols of good luck and protection.