TOMATO Husk Cherry Goldie 4″sq
$5.50
Small orange berry with a husk.
A conversation piece at markets, well-liked by children. This old-fashioned tomato family member bears 1/2– 3/4″ sweet golden berries inside papery husks, resembling small, straw-colored Japanese lanterns. The flavor is quite sweet and a bit wild. Plants are profusely branching, prolific, and drop ripe fruits. Fruits can be eaten raw, dried like raisins, frozen, canned, or made into preserves, cooked pies, and desserts.
75 days.
$5.50
$5.50
Tomatillo & Husk Cherry Growing Tips
Tomatillos and husk cherries (also called ground cherries) are related to tomatoes, but the fruit grow inside of leafy husks. Tomatillos have a tart flavor and are traditionally used in salsa verde and other Mexican dishes. Husk cherries produce a small, gold-colored fruit similar in size to a small cherry tomato. They have a sweet, tropical-type flavor and can be enjoyed fresh, baked into pastries or used to make jam.
Planting
- Like tomatoes, tomatillos and husk cherries are warm season crops and are sensitive to cold air and soil temperatures, so make sure to wait to plant until the night time temperatures are above 55 and 60 degrees, usually after Memorial Day.
- Prior to planting, prepare the soil by incorporating a good quality compost and a balanced fertilizer.
- Plastic mulch can be used prior to planting to help warm up the soil.
- Tomatillos should be spaced 24 to 36” apart.
- Note: Tomatillos set fruit the best if they are able to cross-pollinate with another plant instead of relying on self-pollination. Planting at least two tomatillo plants is best. The two plants can be the same variety of tomatillo or ideally use two different varieties for the best results.
- Tomatillos require some sort of support in the garden due to their sprawling growth habit. Using a trellis or cage is recommended.
- Husk Cherries should be spaced 18 to 24” apart.
- Husk cherries are short plants but will also sprawl, so using a cage or small trellis for support can be helpful.
Watering
Tomatillos and husk cherries have strong roots and can tolerate drought and high temperatures, but it is still important to provide regular and consistent watering for the highest quality fruit. Drip irrigation is an effective and efficient way to irrigate vegetable crops because the water is delivered directly to the soil where it will be taken up by the roots. Drip irrigation also keeps water off of the foliage which will reduce the risk of disease development.
Maintenance
- Keep the planting well weeded. Using mulch, such as cocoa mulch, straw, untreated dry grass clippings or shredded leaves will suppress weed growth and help retain soil moisture. Mulching will also help keep husk cherries clean when they drop to the ground at maturity.
Harvesting
- Tomatillos should be picked when the fruit is filling the husk but while it is still green and firm. If the fruit becomes too mature it will soften and the flavor will deteriorate.
- For husk cherries, the husks will drop from the plant when the cherries are fully-ripe.
- Tomatillos can be stored in a cool, 50 to 60 degree location with good air circulation and humidity that is around 60%. Stored this way, they can last for several months.
- Husk cherries are best enjoyed fresh. To freeze, cherries can be removed from the husks and spread out in a single layer on a sheet pan to freeze before later moving to plastic bags. Frozen cherries are good for use in baked goods.
