If you can’t grow pineapples where you are, try the Québec Ground Cherry!
Québec Ground Cherry is a delicious, sweet ground cherry with a fruity-tropical-pineapple taste that was originally sourced from an organic gardener at Marché Atwater (Atwater Market) in Montréal in 1999.
A Canadian seed saver originally offered this ground cherry to Seed Savers Exchange members and then it was donated to the SSE collection (which is our original source).
The plants are low-growing and sprawling, and very productive. The first fruits were ready in July and then the plants produced until the first frost. This is a hardy and low-maintenance plant.
____________
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 Grow Ground Cherries from Seed? Start indoors 6-8 weeks before the date of last frost. Press the very small seeds into the soil and barely cover. We find that light helps germination. Place the pots under bright light/under grow lights and keep the soil moist and warm. Physalis species usually take 2-3 weeks to germinate. Once seedlings emerge, keep under grow lights. Transplant outside when nighttime temperatures are consistently 10C or warmer.
