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Can You Grow Ground Cherry in New Mexico?
US · USDA Zone 7b · zones 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 8a
Ground cherries grow easily in your zone — a surprisingly productive and self-sufficient crop.
Plant zones
New Mexico last frost
New Mexico first frost
Days to harvest
When to plant Ground Cherries in New Mexico
Start indoors
Transplant
Harvest
Dates are approximate, based on New Mexico'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.
Gardening in New Mexico
New Mexico has an arid continental climate. Albuquerque is Zone 7a; Santa Fe is Zone 6b; southern desert areas are Zone 8a-9a. Low humidity means dramatic temperature swings.
Frequently asked questions
Can you grow Ground Cherry in New Mexico?
Ground cherries grow easily in your zone — a surprisingly productive and self-sufficient crop.
What zone is New Mexico?
New Mexico spans USDA Zone 7b (4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 8a).
When do you plant Ground Cherries in New Mexico?
Plant Ground Cherries around late February (start indoors Jan 17), harvest May 9 – May 24.