Ground Cherry Physalis pruinosa

Easy 

Starting indoors

Sow seeds 1/4 in deep in organic seed starting mix the first week of April. Keep in a warm spot with moist soil. Germinates in about 2 weeks

Direct sowing in the garden

Transplant seedlings at least 1.5 ft apart in prepared garden beds in late May. Water at base of the plant to prevent fungal blight. Approximately 70 days to ripened fruits

Easy

Dried husk will trun from green to tan. Plant will drop husk with the fruit inside. Pick up dropped fruit often and harvest loose fruit as broken fruit may lead to new seedlings. Save seeds by cleaning skin away from the seeds and air drying until completely dry. Store in a cooL, dark, dry place. If stored properly, seeds will remain viable for 4-6 years but it is best to plant them every year if possible to naturalize the varieties to your location and adapt them to changing climate conditions

🌅 Outdoors
Grow in an outdoor container or garden area

🏠 Indoors

Should be started indoors as seedlings but cannot be grown indoors long term

☀️ Full Sun  

• Temps: 🌡️ Prefers warm to hot; think 55 to 65 °F, but can cope to as high as 85 °F. Frost sensitive

• Hardiness Zones: 🗺️ 4 to 8 (2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map - Michigan)

• Humidity: 🌫️No special preferences

• Water Conditions: 💧 About an inch of water per week but more in hotter conditions if there isn't adequate rainfall

• pH: 🧪 6.0 and 6.8  

• Soil conditions: 🌱Fairly moist, well-draining & rich in organic matter. Not picky about soil type

Summer

Employ crop rotation strategies for all members of the Solanaceae family (eggplant, peppers, tomatoes, ground cherry/tomatillos) to prevent blight and ensure plant health. Plant in a spot where no other variety of Solanacae have been growing for at least 4 years

Support may be needed for the plants as they produce small, round, cherry-sized tomatoes; all part except for the fruit are toxic to people & animals

Companion planting: Basil, carrots, parsley, garlic, cilantro, bee balm, radish, golden alexander