Sow and Grow Tomatillos

Just like tomatoes and pepper, you can give tomatillos a head start indoors.

Indoor Sowing Tips: 

In order to germinate, tomatillos seeds prefer an average soil temperature around 80°F or between 70 and 90°F.  Based on this, start the seeds under grow lights and with a seed heat mat underneath the seed tray. 

Tomatillo seeds should be planted 1/4″ deep around 1 to 1 1/2 months before the last average spring frost under grow lights.

While I initially water the seeds from above until the seeds germinate, I switch to water from below in the seed tray.

Transplant the tomatillo seedlings to a 4 inch pot in the grow room once there are a few sets of true leaves and continue to water them from below in the seed tray.

Don’t forget to harden off the seedlings before transplanting in late spring or early summer. Keep in mind that tomatillos love warm days and nights which is why they are considered a warm season annual.

Space tomatillo seedlings about 1 to 1 1/2 feet apart.

Growing Tips:   

If you plant your tomatillo seedlings too early, you might want to consider using hoop tunnels and some lightweight garden fabric.  Also, I would recommend using mosquito netting until your tomatillos start taking off to keep away flea beetles in case they are a problem in your area. They will often put holes in the leaves!

Provide compost when planting and plant food that is higher in calcium and phosphorus as needed.

Keep tomatillo seedlings and plants moist but not soggy by using a drip system.

Since tomatillos are a bit lanky, support the main stem of the tomatillo plant with a 5 to 6 foot stake and some stretch ties. I like to use a tomato/tomatillo cage around the stem. Once the fruit starts forming, use stretch ties to attach the side stems to the the cage if needed.