Strawberry Groundcherry - Physalis Alkekengi - Perennial, Sweet, and Abundant
Quantity: 10 Seeds
Strawberry Groundcherry, aka Physalis Alkekengi, is a perennial plant in the Nightshade family. It is native to Asia, and hardy down to zone 6. Unlike most varieties of Physalis Alkekengi, this variety is edible and choice. The juicy fruits taste super sweet, tangy, fruity. The fruits are much larger than most other varieties of Alkekengi too. These berries are best consumed fresh, but they can be made into an excellent tasting jam too. The flavour can be enhanced when left to sit on the counter for a few days after picking, or until the husk surrounding the fruit dries out. The plants are really easy to grow, and require little work other than a seasonal mulching and regular watering.
All seeds are organic and open pollinated.
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Growing Instructions
For the highest yields, It’s best to start Strawberry Groundcherry seeds indoors about 6-8 weeks before the last frost; we start them here on the farm in mid march. It's good to sow them in a sterile growing medium; most available seed starting soils should do the job nicely; we use sunshine mix (peat moss and perlite). The soil should be made moist, but not damp. Sow the seeds 1/4 inch below the soil surface. Store in a warm area until tiny sprouts emerge from the soil. A heat mat greatly aids in this step, but is not necessary. Seeds can take up to 2 weeks to germinate, but may take less time too. Once germinated, and the first true leaf has formed, it's time to pot up to a larger container that contains a good quality potting soil. Transplant to their final location when the nighttime temperatures are consistently 8°C or higher; for us at the farm, this is around early May.