'Ground Husk' ground cherry
identification
description
Small, golden fruits with an exotic taste and very productive
Ground Husk cherry ( Physalis pruinosa ), offered by OSC Seeds
Also known as the pod tomato , this heirloom variety produces an abundance of small, golden , bite-sized fruits enclosed in a thin , straw-like pod when ripe. Their flavor is sweet , exotic , and unique, perfect for salsas , stews , jams , pie fillings, and preserves. A determinate variety, vigorous and very prolific in full sun.
Propagation: Indoor sowing or direct sowing
Plant height: 40–60 cm
Package size: Approximately 30 seeds
Harvest time: 65 days
Frost tolerance: Killed by frost
Companion plants: Basil, carrots, lettuce
Incompatible plants: Potatoes (same diseases)
Planting and maintenance:
Sow indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the last frost in a light potting mix. Maintain a temperature of 21–24°C to encourage germination. Transplant outdoors in full sun after hardening off, into fertile, well-drained soil. Space plants 60 cm apart, as their spreading, creeping habit benefits from good air circulation. Harvest when the pods turn yellow and fall naturally to the ground: this is when the fruit is at its best.
