By Michael Brown
Farmers are always looking for the next new product to entice their customers and expand sales. Physalis is one of those crops that might be worth considering. Physalis is a genus of flowering plants in the nightshade family, which also includes tomatillo and is more distantly related to peppers, tomatoes and potatoes. They grow in warm temperate and subtropical regions of the world, primarily in the Americas.
One of the most notable features of the genus is a thin, paper-like husk that encloses the fruit. Farmers and consumers are most likely to be acquainted with them as ground cherries. … The ground cherry’s big brother, sometimes referred to as goldenberry (Physalis peruviana), is much less frequently grown. Growers are hampered by lack of reliable information on best growing methods, confusion about suitable cultivars and lack of reliable sources of seed. That may be about to change. Read the full article here.
From the Eco-Ag Archives
No-Till Growing: Vegetable Production
Over the last 20-plus years of vegetable growing at Tobacco Road Farm in Lebanon, Connecticut, we have constantly sought ways to improve the health and vitality of our crops and soils, and going no-till has been part of that journey. Read the full article.
Tractor Time Podcast Episode of the Week
Our newest Tractor Time episode features author, investigative journalist and farmer Doug Fine. Doug’s work has appeared in places like Washington Post, Wired and Outside Magazine. He’s traveled all over the world, given TED Talks, appeared on late-night talk shows. And he’s written several books, including his latest, Hemp Bound (https://acresusa.gtstaging.com/products/hemp-bound) . In this episode, Doug discusses his believe that hemp an opportunity to change the whole game — and maybe fight off the effects of climate change in the process. Listen to the podcast here
