I am not a gardener. I try. I really really try. I love having flowers everywhere, however I always end up killing something. Each year I buy a bunch of annuals and fill my pots and baskets with the hopes that it will all look ridiculously beautiful and stay that way all summer long. Then, by the time late July, early August rolls around I am so completely over watering plants that I kind of just hope they die…
Terrible, I know.
This year, we actually haven’t had to water too much. We’ve gotten plenty of rain but also plenty of VERY hot days. I purchased a couple of my usual suspects including Impatiens and Moss Roses. I absolutely adore tuberous Begonias and I had some last year that I replanted this year. They did not come up unfortunately. I like to buy my mom different colored ones in hanging baskets each year for mother’s day and she manages to replant the bulbs every year. It’s amazing. I need her secret.
On a whim one day at one of my most favorite garden centers Bloch’s Farm, I purchased a couple Mojito Mint plants and a couple Aunt Molly’s Ground Cherry plants. I had seen Ground Cherries at the farmer’s market a few times but had never tried them. They were cheap so I figured what the hell. If you want to feel good about your gardening skills, find some Ground Cherry plants. These suckers are THRIVING. When I purchased them they were maybe about 2-3 inches tall. It’s been fun coming home everyday to see how much they’ve grown. Within no time they were flowering and fruit was starting. If you aren’t familiar with a ground cherry it is a fruit about the size of a cherry-ish. Some of mine might be smaller. The fruit is surrounded by a papery husk similar to a tomatillo. As for the taste… It varies. I’ve tried a few right after they’ve fallen to the ground signaling that they are almost ripe. They are a little sweet, a little tart with a little bit of a citrus taste. I don’t have enough to do anything with yet but there are a lot of cherries on my plants. They bear fruit continuously until frost. If my harvest is as big as I think it might be I do have a few things in mind already and will definitely share them with you here.
The mint plants are ridiculous as well. I’m glad I planted them in a container. It’s easy to see how fast they can spread. I’ve been putting it on my desserts as garnish and of course, in my Mojitos. Duh…
Maybe I should just stick with herbs and fruit?
Happy Gardening! Hopefully you’re better at it than I am!!
Ann
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Ann, I too tried the ground cherries this year planting four starters in a planter. Almost immediately, they took on a look of a flea bitten lace shawl from Goodwill. I’ve gotten enough to experience the taste. YOURS LOOK FANTASTIC! They remind of gooseberries too.
Another fun read! So enjoying your blog. Nicely done
Thanks Mary! Stay tuned for Ground Cherry Clafoutis! The first thing I’m going to try with what I’ve harvested so far.