How to Grow Cape Gooseberry

A warm-season fruit for the home garden across the warmer US.

Cape Gooseberry is a rewarding warm-season crop for backyard growers.

When to plant

Plant Cape Gooseberry in spring once the soil has warmed and all frost has passed. In the warmest regions a second crop is possible in late summer. See your region on the cape gooseberry page for exact timing.

Varieties

Aunt Molly's, Sweet, productive ground cherry (Baker Creek)

How to grow it

Sun & soil: full sun, rich well-drained soil with even moisture.
Spacing: about 60 cm (24 in) between plants.
Sowing: barely cover the seed.
Water: roughly 4 L per plant every 3 days in hot weather.
Containers: grows well in a pot of 30cm+.

Pests & problems

Watch for Whitefly. In humid regions, Few can appear, so space for airflow and water at the roots in the morning.

Harvest

Cape Gooseberry is usually ready to harvest in about 3 months. Pick regularly to keep plants productive.

When to plant in your region

Pick your region to see exactly when to plant cape gooseberry where you garden.

See what to plant this month

Pick your region for a month-by-month calendar tuned to your climate.

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