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Can You Grow Ground Cherry in Maryland?

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

Grows well here

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

Plant zones

3a–9b

Maryland last frost

early March

Maryland first frost

late November

Days to harvest

70–85 days

When to plant Ground Cherries in Maryland

Start indoors

Jan 24

Transplant

Mar 7

Harvest

May 16 – May 31

Dates are approximate, based on Maryland'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 Maryland

Maryland has a humid subtropical climate moderated by the Chesapeake Bay. Four distinct seasons with mild winters in most of the state. Long productive growing season.