Mary&
A beautiful lattice top pie made out of Mary&
Cut and whole Mary&
Mary&
A beautiful lattice top pie made out of Mary&
Cut and whole Mary&

Ground Cherry Seeds,
Mary's Niagara

4.48 ReviewsSKU: #GR165Min. seed count: 50
Price
Regular price $4.00
Regular price $0.00 Sale price $4.00
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Description

(Physalis pruinosa).  We’re excited to offer this variety, sourced from fruit bought years ago in Niagara-on-the-Lake. ‘Mary’s Niagara’ ground cherries impress with their early fruiting, sweet flavor, and compact growth, making them perfect for short-season areas. They could become the new gold standard!.

Plant Details

Botanical Name
Physalis pruinosa
Life Cycle
Annual
Sun Requirement
6–12 hr.
Days to Germinate
7–21
Days to Maturity
65–75
Planting Depth
⅛ in.
Plant Spacing
18 in.
Ideal Temperature
70–90°F
Frost Hardy
No

When to Grow

Sow indoors 6 to 8 weeks before your average last frost date, 1/8 inch deep, and transplant out after the last frost, since ground cherries are not frost hardy. Hold the flats at 70 to 90 F, using a horticulture-grade heat mat if the room runs cool, and seeds will be up in 7 to 21 days. Mary's Niagara fruits early and matures in 65 to 75 days, which makes it a good fit for short-season areas.

How to Sow and Plant

  • Start transplants indoors 6-8 weeks before last average frost date.
  • Sow seeds 1/8 inch deep.
  • Ideal germination temperature is between 70-90 F and seedlings can be kept warm with a horticulture- grade heat mat.
  • Seeds will germinate in 7-21 days.

How to Grow

  • Space plants 18 inches apart in the garden with a nice layer of mulch (plastic, burlap, or straw mulch work great).
  • Plant in full sun, provide average moisture.
  • Fruit will drop to the ground when ripe; plastic or burlap mulch helps to catch the fruit and keep it clean and prevent rot.

PESTS/SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS

  • A generally pest- and disease-free plant

How to Save Seeds

  • Isolate different varieties by 500 feet. In order to ensure a strong genetic diversity, be sure to save fruit from a minimum of 5 plants.
  • Seed saving this fruit is easy; just remove husks and blend the fruit with water.
  • Allow the watery mix to separate. Pour off the separated pulp and water and save the seeds that settled on the bottom.
  • Strain seeds and air dry, then store them in a dark, dry, cool location.
  • If properly stored, seeds will remain viable for up to 6 years.

FAQ

What sets Mary's Niagara apart from other ground cherries?

Three things at once: it fruits early, the flavor is sweet, and the plants stay compact instead of sprawling. We sourced it from fruit bought years ago in Niagara-on-the-Lake, and we think it could become the new gold standard.

How much room and sun do Mary's Niagara plants need?

Space plants 18 inches apart in full sun and provide average moisture, with a nice layer of mulch; plastic, burlap, or straw all work great.

Can I save seed from my own Mary's Niagara plants?

Yes. Isolate different varieties by 500 feet and save fruit from a minimum of 5 plants for strong genetic diversity. Remove the husks, blend the fruit with water, pour off the separated pulp and water, then strain and air dry the seeds that settled on the bottom; stored in a dark, dry, cool location they remain viable for up to 6 years.

Customer reviews

4.4 / 5 8 Reviews

What gardeners are saying

  • Strong germination: Nearly every seed comes up and seedlings transplant easily.

  • Prolific fruiter: Flowers early and keeps setting fruit all season long.

  • Sweet garden snack: Sweet with a rich finish; most get eaten straight off the plant.

  • Heads up: Plants sprawl much wider than expected; give them room.

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