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When to Plant Ground Cherry in Bowman County, ND

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

Bowman County, North Dakota is in USDA Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 15 and the first fall frost is September 24, giving you a growing season of approximately 132 days.

At an elevation of 753 feet, Bowman County receives approximately 25.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 81°F, so choose short-season varieties of Ground Cherry to ensure they mature before fall.

Bowman County, ND (Zone 4b) Short season
132 days
Last Spring Frost May 15
132 growing days
First Fall Frost September 24

Bowman County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Drainage

Well Drained

Ground Cherry Planting Timeline — Bowman County, ND

Ground Cherry Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors June 12 Jun 12 – Jun 26
Harvest August 21 Aug 21 – Oct 16

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

Moderate — regular watering

📅 Days to Maturity

65–80 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: N/A

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 4b

📆 Growing Season

132 days in Bowman County

Growing Tips for Bowman 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

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Ground Cherry in Bowman County, ND?

Bowman County is in Zone 4b with an average last frost of May 15. Plan your Ground Cherry planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Bowman County, ND?

Bowman County, North Dakota is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 15 and first fall frost is September 24.

🌱

Your Bowman County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Bowman County (Zone 4b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

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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 Bowman County, ND. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.