Ground cherries have been an interesting plant to grow. The first year we had them I bought a few plants from a garden center and they did well. The next year, I started some from seed and had volunteers all around the gardens from the previous year. Both the ones started early indoors and the volunteers did equally well. It was a bumper crop for fresh eating, wine-making and recipes. So this year I decided to just count on the plant reseeding itself. I left ground cherries where I wanted plants and figured they would take care of the rest themselves. Well, it didn't quite work that way.I have ground cherries in odd spots where I never grew them and ZERO plants where I encouraged them. The ones I have are gangly because they popped up among the squash, tomatoes, beans, raspberries and other plants that shaded them. We will get some to try in recipes but not as many as I was hoping for.
Next year, I will go back to starting some indoors to make sure they grow where I want them to. Oh well. Never a dull moment in the garden. Besides I had an appetizer of just picked "chocolate cherry tomatoes" and raspberries tonight out in the garden so I am happy!
6 comments:
Guess I'm not sure what ground cherries really are. Sounds interesting however, especially the wine making.
What do you do with them? I remember my father growing them and I got them in a CSA box once and I wasn't sure what to do with them.........
Do the birds like them? ...perhaps they deposited the seeds in other places for you.
I have a Black Cherry tomato plant this year....wonderful flavor!
Hi...I just had to "Google" Ground Cherries... :)) Interesting....and I wanted to add that I love your photo on your previous post. I have been away for a while...and am getting caught up.
Smiles,
Jackie
My Mom always enjoyed them so that is why I planted ground cherries. I didn't think much of them as a child but have come to like them now. I have eaten them raw and made chutney, wine and salsa. They grow in their own cute papery sack and have a mild lightly fruity and sweet flavor. Hopefully I'll have some ripe ones to show soon.
I'd love it if you would share your wine recipe, I have an abundance of them, and I didn't plant them. Apparently they are considered a weed here in Virginia.
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