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Can You Grow Ground Cherry in Kentucky?

US · USDA Zone 6b · zones 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a

Grows well here

Ground cherries grow easily in your zone — a surprisingly productive and self-sufficient crop.

Plant zones

3a–9b

Kentucky last frost

mid-March

Kentucky first frost

mid-November

Days to harvest

70–85 days

When to plant Ground Cherries in Kentucky

Start indoors

Jan 31

Transplant

Mar 15

Harvest

May 24 – Jun 8

Dates are approximate, based on Kentucky's average frost dates. Your exact yard may vary by microclimate.

About Ground Cherry

Ground cherries (husk cherries) are a hidden gem of the vegetable garden — sweet vanilla-pineapple flavored fruits inside papery husks that drop naturally when ripe. Excellent for jam, baking, and eating fresh.

Start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost. Plants self-mulch with dropped husks — fruits inside stay fresh on the ground for weeks. Harvest husked fruits daily. Productive and drought-tolerant once established. Self-seeds freely the following year.

Full ground cherry growing guide →

Gardening in Kentucky

Kentucky has a humid continental climate transitioning to subtropical in the south. Long warm summers support tomatoes, peppers, and most common vegetables. Tobacco country.