We love Physalis species — such as, ground cherries and cape gooseberry. You will be amazed that you can grow tropical tasting fruit from seed in your backyard garden.
Geltower is a wonderfully sweet ground cherry, with a pineapple-citrus taste
Geltower is a larger plant than our other favourite ground cherry (Drott’s, which is only about 1 ft tall) and the berries themselves are a little bigger. Both varieties have an excellent sweet taste. Geltower fruits are ready mid-season and produce through the summer. This is a very productive variety and you will have lots of golden-yellow fruits. This variety was brought to our attention by the seed savers at Farmacie Isolde; it was brought to their attention by the permaculture pioneer Siegfried Tatschl.
Ground cherry plants conveniently wrap up each fruit in its own ‘paper bag’ to protect it from the elements. Wait for the husks to turn papery yellow-brown and fall to the ground for peak maturity and sweetness. You can also give the plant a gentle shake to release the husks. Unwrap and eat the fruit inside.
How to Plant: Similar to tomatoes start indoors 8 weeks before the date of last frost. Sow seeds 5 mm (¼ inch) deep in individual pots. A heat mat will help germination, but Physalis species can take 1-3 weeks to germinate. Transplant outside when nighttime temperatures are consistently 10C or warmer.
