Name: Ground Cherry Tomatillo Seeds For Planting (Physalis pruinosa)
Brand: 50 Seeds Per Pack
SKU: 514-FBM
Price: 3.99 USD
Availability: InStock

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Description

Do you want to grow something unusual in your veggie garden this year? Want to expand your offerings at the next farmer's market? Plant some fresh, non-GMO ground cherry seeds from Seed Needs! Ground cherries (Physalis pruinosa) aren't what you scavenge when your fruit trees get nailed by wind—they're a tasty tomatillo variety with a tangy taste that's a blend between tomato and pineapple with a bit of mango thrown in.

Why are these little guys are called ground cherries? When they're ready to harvest, the fruits fall to the ground. They also live up to their name with their low-growing, sprawling growth habit. As with cherry tomatoes, several ground cherry fruits hang from long, vine-like stems, each covered in a paper-thin husk resembling a Chinese lantern. (In fact, tomatillos and ground cherries are close cousins of this cool ornamental plant!)The summer-bearing fruits themselves are a glowing gold color, about 1" in diameter, and the leaves have a soft, fuzzy texture.

Like cherries from a cherry tree, they're great for preserves, sweet sauces, and baked desserts, but like tomatoes, they're excellent in salsas and salads.

Ground cherries are also known as husk cherries, Cape gooseberries, and golden berries.

A little background on ground cherries

These tropical fruits are thought to be native to Brazil (some say Peru), and they're sometimes found growing wild elsewhere in South and Central America. According to the Permaculture Institute, ground cherries became popular in South Africa in the 1800s, escaped and naturalized in Australia not long after, and first appeared in North American gardens in the early 20th century. (Funny how they made such a roundabout journey, isn't it?)

Sowing The Seed

For many Northern gardeners, tomatillos are best established indoors, 6 to 8 weeks prior to the last frost. Start in peat pots, sowing each seed at a depth of 1/4” under topsoil. The use of small stakes is not needed for this variety, as its growth is determinate. When the weather is warm & all danger of frost has passed, transplant or direct sow your tomatillo plants outdoors.

Growing Conditions

Tomatillos will thrive in an area of full sunlight with temperatures of at least 65F or higher. They prefer a rich soil, that is filled with organic matter. Make sure that the sowing medium is also well drained, as this is very important for a healthy root structure. Adding a light compost to areas containing hard, compact soil, can improve your drainage. Water daily with a light moisture setting to avoid drowning the seed.

Germination & Growth

Tomatillo seeds typically germinate in roughly 7 to 14 days after sowing. The plants themselves grow to a mature height of up to 2 or 3 feet tall and can spread 2 feet wide. Ground Cherry plants will need a small amount of area to grow and can be spaced about 24 inches apart from one another, in rows spaced 24 inches apart. The small fruits will measure about a half inch to an inch in diameter and can be harvested in 70 to 80 days after transplanting.

Harvesting Ground Cherry Tomatillos

Ground Cherry Tomatillo fruits will be ready for harvesting in roughly 70 to 80 days. The fruits will develop a papery husk, and the fruits will willingly drop to the ground when they are ready to be consumed. Ground Cherry fruits can be stored in the fridge, in ziplock bags for a good two weeks, and can also be frozen as well.

NON-GMO?

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We will never knowingly sell GMO based seed products. Hardly any exist in the market anyways, but if they do, you can trust that we will steer clear of them. We pledge to always supply Non-GMO seeds.

HEIRLOOM?

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99% of all seeds on our website are heirloom and are passed down from generation to generation. Bred for quality of flavor, productivity, hardiness and adaptability.

UNTREATED?

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Yes, our seeds are untreated! We never knowingly purchases treated seed products. We also do not treat any of our seeds with substances such as neonicotinoid or thyram.

ORGANIC?

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Seeds by Seed Needs are not certified organic, no. But we are firm believers that "organic" is how YOU decide to grow things. You can still organically grow your own produce with, non certified seeds.

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WHY BUY OUR SEEDS?

A SEED COMPANY ON A MISSION FOR CHANGE

Seed Needs has been providing gardeners with quality seed products since 2010 and has shipped millions of packets to happy customers all over the US. We offer flowers, herbs, vegetables, vines, wildflower blends, seed packet collections and seed packet favors.

With the success of our brand, we have kept our promise to continually donate to different organizations and personally sponsor children all over the globe each and every month. We grew our sponsorships from just 1 child to over 100 children worldwide in only a few years. We would like to sincerely thank all who support us because it wouldn't be possible without you!