Germination to Production for Tomatillos

Germination

• Tomatillo seeds are best started indoors. They should be planted in seed pots about six weeks before the last freeze or frost is expected. When the last frost has passed, and the seedlings are six to eight weeks old, harden them off for several days before planting by placing them in a sheltered location outdoors during the day and bringing them in at night.

Transplanting

• Choose a sunny location with well-drained soil. Tomatillos need at least eight hours of sunlight each day. Add a 10-10-10 fertilizer to the soil before planting. Place the seedlings in holes at the same depth as they grew in the seed pots. The seedlings should be planted about 3 feet apart from each other, with at least 3 feet between each row of plants. Water the tomatillos deeply after transplanting.

Care

• Tomatillos require plenty of water to grow and produce a large crop. Deep watering once a week is best, however, more frequent watering may be needed if the weather is especially hot and dry. Generally, tomatillos need a total of 1 1/2 inches of water each week. Place a support or cage over the tomatillo plant once it reaches 8 to 12 inches. Keep weeds down since they use up moisture needed by the tomatillo and can also harbor pests that eat tomatillo plants and their fruit.

Harvest

• Tomatillo plants produce fruit continuously until the first frost. It usually takes 75 to 100 days from planting until the first tomatillo fruits are ready to harvest. When ready for harvest, the papery skin or husk on the fruit will begin to change from green to tan and will often burst open. Pluck the tomatillo fruit from the plant by grasping and giving a gentle tug. Like tomatoes, ripe tomatillos will detach easily from the plant.