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When to Plant Ground Cherry in Pittsburg County, OK

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

Pittsburg County, Oklahoma is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 4 and the first fall frost is November 1, giving you a growing season of approximately 211 days.

At an elevation of 620 feet, Pittsburg County receives approximately 32.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 90ยฐF, providing good warmth for Ground Cherry during the growing season.

Pittsburg County, OK (Zone 7a) Long season
211 days
Last Spring Frost April 4
211 growing days
First Fall Frost November 1

Pittsburg County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.6-7.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (68 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 16 🍅 Harvest: Jun 25 – Aug 20
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (64 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 25 🍅 Harvest: Jul 4 – Aug 29
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (72 days to spare)
Transplant: May 8 🍅 Harvest: Jul 17 – Sep 11

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
0.7″/week
You supply
0.4″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 659 gal / 100 sq ft
Ground Cherry needs ~1,269 GDD — county provides 3,692 GDD Excellent fit

Ground Cherry Planting Timeline โ€” Pittsburg County, OK

Ground Cherry Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 25 Apr 25 โ€“ May 9
Harvest July 4 Jul 4 โ€“ Aug 29

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 โ€”
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 7a

Growing Season

211 days

Growing Tips for Pittsburg 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 Pittsburg County, OK?

Pittsburg County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 4. Plan your Ground Cherry planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Pittsburg County, OK?

Pittsburg County, Oklahoma is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 4 and first fall frost is November 1.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Pittsburg County gardeners in Zone 7a 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 Pittsburg County, OK. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.