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Can You Grow Ground Cherry in Minnesota?

US · USDA Zone 4a · zones 2b, 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b

Grows well here

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

Plant zones

3a–9b

Minnesota last frost

late April

Minnesota first frost

early October

Days to harvest

70–85 days

When to plant Ground Cherries in Minnesota

Start indoors

Mar 14

Transplant

Apr 25

Harvest

Jul 4 – Jul 19

Dates are approximate, based on Minnesota'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 Minnesota

Minnesota has a cold humid continental climate. The Twin Cities are Zone 4b-5a; northern Minnesota reaches Zone 2b-3a. Cold winters but warm productive summers.