Harvest Type: Continuous

Transplant/Direct Sow: Direct sow or transplant

When to Plant: Sow seeds directly when the soil temperature is 70-80°F. Indoors 6-8 weeks before the average last frost date.

Days to Germinate: 7-14 days

Days to Maturity: 75-100 days

Planting Depth: ¼” deep

Germination Temp: 70-80°F

Seed Spacing: Plant 2 seeds per inch. Thin to 3’ apart.

Row Spacing: 3' apart

Light: Full sun

Soil pH: 5.5-7.3 pH

Water: 1- 1 ½” of water per week

Soil Temperature: 70-80°F, with nighttime soil temps above 55°F being ideal.

Fertilizer: 10-10-10 or 5-10-10 N-P-K ratio once the plant begins to bloom.

Harvest Type

Tomatillos is a continuous harvest crop and will produce tomatillos until the first hard frost.

Transplant / Direct Sow

You can direct sow or transplant seedlings. Transplant seedlings when they are 3-4" tall and all danger of frost has passed.

When to Plant:

Sow seeds directly or transplant seedlings outdoors when the soil temperature is 70-80°F, and all danger of freezing has passed.

Days to germinate

It takes tomatillo seeds 7-14 days to germinate.

Days to maturity

It takes about 70-100 days for tomatillos to produce their crop. Different varieties mature at other times.

Planting Depth

Plant seeds at 1/4" deep.

Germination Temperature Range

Tomatillos are heat loving plants and will not tolerate frost. Their seeds germinate when the nighttime soil temperature is above 55°F, and the daytime soil temperature is between 70-80°F.

Spacing Between Plants

Plant 2 seeds per inch and then thin or transplant seedlings to 3' apart. Keep rows 2-3' apart.

Companion Plants

Peppers, peas, pole beans, and determinate tomato varieties are all excellent companion plants for tomatillos.

Growing conditions

Tomatillo plants love full sun and nutrient-rich soil. Start with aged manure or compost and then supplement as needed with a 10-10-10 N-P-K ratio fertilizer.  Switch to a 5-10-10 N-P-K ratio fertilizer when the plants are in bloom.  Tomatillo plants have sparse limbs that may require staking.

TIP: Plant 2-3 plants close together for better pollination.

Rotation

Tomatillo plants are heavy feeders. Rotate crops each year and avoid planting tomatillo plants in the same spot for three years without amending the soil.

Anticipated yields

Plan your garden yield at 2-3 Tomatillo plants per person. Plants produce 2-3 pounds of tomatillo per plant. Each plant can produce as many as 60-200 tomatillos.

Uses: Tomatillos make excellent salsa verde. They are also wonderfully roasted, fried, and go well in soups and stews. They are easy to can and freeze.