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When to Plant Ground Cherry in Neosho County, KS

Ground cherries produce small, sweet, tropical-tasting berries enclosed in papery husks. They are related to tomatillos and cape gooseberries and self-sow readily.

Neosho County, Kansas is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 7 and the first fall frost is October 27, giving you a growing season of approximately 203 days.

At an elevation of 666 feet, Neosho County receives approximately 23.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 89ยฐF, providing good warmth for Ground Cherry during the growing season.

Neosho County, KS (Zone 6a) Long season
203 days
Last Spring Frost April 7
203 growing days
First Fall Frost October 27

Neosho County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.7-7.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (56 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 22 🍅 Harvest: Jul 1 – Aug 26
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (56 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 28 🍅 Harvest: Jul 7 – Sep 1
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (56 days to spare)
Transplant: May 12 🍅 Harvest: Jul 21 – Sep 15

Percentages indicate frost risk at transplant. The 70% safe window means there is a 30% chance of frost after transplant — suitable for cold-hardy crops or gardeners with frost protection. The 90% safe window is best for tender plants.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.5″/week
You supply
0.6″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 1,118 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Ground Cherry needs ~1,214 GDD — county provides 3,400 GDD Excellent fit

Ground Cherry Planting Timeline โ€” Neosho County, KS

Ground Cherry Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 28 Apr 28 โ€“ May 12
Harvest July 7 Jul 7 โ€“ Sep 1

Plant 1" deep ยท 15" apart ยท Rows 24" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April Transplant Outdoors
May Transplant Outdoors
June โ€”
July Harvest
August Harvest
September Harvest
October โ€”
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

Days to Maturity

65โ€“80 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 7.5

USDA Zone

Zone 6a

Growing Season

203 days

Growing Tips for Neosho County

Start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost. Let fruits fall to the ground naturally when ripe inside their husks. The husk turns brown and papery when the fruit is ready.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Fennel

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Ground Cherry in Neosho County, KS?

Neosho County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 7. Plan your Ground Cherry planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Neosho County, KS?

Neosho County, Kansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 7 and first fall frost is October 27.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Neosho County gardeners in Zone 6a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Neosho County, KS. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.