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When to Plant Ground Cherry in Warren 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.

Warren County, Kentucky is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 8 and the first fall frost is October 28, giving you a growing season of approximately 203 days.

At an elevation of 3,957 feet, Warren County receives approximately 44.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 88ยฐF, providing good warmth for Ground Cherry during the growing season.

Warren County, KY (Zone 6b) Long season
203 days
Last Spring Frost April 8
203 growing days
First Fall Frost October 28

Warren County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.3-7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (54 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 24 🍅 Harvest: Jul 3 – Aug 28
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (56 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 29 🍅 Harvest: Jul 8 – Sep 2
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (52 days to spare)
Transplant: May 15 🍅 Harvest: Jul 24 – Sep 18

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
0.9″/week
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 128 gal / 100 sq ft
Ground Cherry needs ~1,160 GDD — county provides 3,248 GDD Excellent fit

Ground Cherry Planting Timeline โ€” Warren County, KY

Ground Cherry Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 29 Apr 29 โ€“ May 13
Harvest July 8 Jul 8 โ€“ Sep 2

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 6b

Growing Season

203 days

Growing Tips for Warren 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 Warren County, KY?

Warren County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 8. Plan your Ground Cherry planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Warren County, KY?

Warren County, Kentucky is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 8 and first fall frost is October 28.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Warren 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 Warren County, KY. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.