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Can You Grow Ground Cherry in Utah?

US · USDA Zone 6a · zones 4a, 4b, 5a, 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

Utah last frost

early April

Utah first frost

late October

Days to harvest

70–85 days

When to plant Ground Cherries in Utah

Start indoors

Feb 17

Transplant

Apr 1

Harvest

Jun 10 – Jun 25

Dates are approximate, based on Utah'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 Utah

Utah has an arid continental climate. Salt Lake City is Zone 6b-7a; southern Utah is Zone 7-8; mountains are Zone 4-5. Low humidity and alkaline soils require irrigation and soil amendment.