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When to Plant Ground Cherry in Greenup County, KY

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

Greenup County, Kentucky is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 23 and the first fall frost is October 21, giving you a growing season of approximately 181 days.

At an elevation of 2,759 feet, Greenup County receives approximately 48.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 88ยฐF, providing good warmth for Ground Cherry during the growing season.

Greenup County, KY (Zone 6b) Moderate season
181 days
Last Spring Frost April 23
181 growing days
First Fall Frost October 21

Greenup County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.7-6.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (39 days to spare)
Transplant: May 5 🍅 Harvest: Jul 14 – Sep 8
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (34 days to spare)
Transplant: May 14 🍅 Harvest: Jul 23 – Sep 17
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (29 days to spare)
Transplant: May 31 🍅 Harvest: Aug 9 – Oct 4

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
1.1″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Ground Cherry needs ~1,160 GDD — county provides 2,896 GDD Excellent fit

Ground Cherry Planting Timeline โ€” Greenup County, KY

Ground Cherry Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors May 14 May 14 โ€“ May 28
Harvest July 23 Jul 23 โ€“ Sep 17

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April โ€”
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 6b

Growing Season

181 days

Growing Tips for Greenup 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 Greenup County, KY?

Greenup County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 23. Plan your Ground Cherry planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Greenup County, KY?

Greenup County, Kentucky is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 23 and first fall frost is October 21.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Greenup County gardeners in Zone 6b 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 Greenup County, KY. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.