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When to Plant Ground Cherry in Converse County, WY

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

Converse County, Wyoming is in USDA Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is June 4 and the first fall frost is September 18, giving you a growing season of approximately 106 days.

At an elevation of 6,089 feet, Converse County receives approximately 16.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 81ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Ground Cherry to ensure they mature before fall. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Ground Cherry successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.

Converse County, WY (Zone 4b) Short season
106 days
Last Spring Frost June 4
106 growing days
First Fall Frost September 18

Converse County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.6-8.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Jun 18 🍅 Harvest: Aug 27 – Oct 22
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Jul 2 🍅 Harvest: Sep 10 – Nov 5
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Jul 15 🍅 Harvest: Sep 23 – Nov 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
0.7″/week
You supply
0.4″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 401 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 8/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Ground Cherry needs ~779 GDD — county provides 1,139 GDD Excellent fit

Ground Cherry Planting Timeline โ€” Converse County, WY

Ground Cherry Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors July 2 Jul 2 โ€“ Jul 16
Harvest September 10 Sep 10 โ€“ Nov 5

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April โ€”
May โ€”
June โ€”
July Transplant Outdoors
August โ€”
September Harvest
October Harvest
November Harvest
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 4b

Growing Season

106 days

Growing Tips for Converse 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 Converse County, WY?

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

What planting zone is Converse County, WY?

Converse County, Wyoming is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is June 4 and first fall frost is September 18.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Converse County gardeners in Zone 4b 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 Converse County, WY. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.