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The Gardener's Spot
Tomatillo
Plant Information
Origin: Central America
Sci. Name: Physalis Ixocarpa
Family: Tomato
Sow'n
Swoing Depth: 1/4 in (6 mm)
Indoors: 4 wks Before Last Frost
Outdoors: 2 wks After Last Frost
Spacing: 2.5 ft (72 cm)
Days To Germination: 7-14
Seed Life: 3 Years
Grow'n
Watering: Moderate
Sunshine: full Sun
Height: 3 ft (1 m)
Width: 2 ft (60 cm)
Nutrient levels: N-low, P-low, K-low
Companion Plants: Asparagus, basil, bush bean, cabbage family carrot, cucumber, garlic, lettuce, maragold, onion and pepper
Bad Companions: Dill, pole bean and potato
Sci. Name: Physalis Ixocarpa
Family: Tomato
Sow'n
Swoing Depth: 1/4 in (6 mm)
Indoors: 4 wks Before Last Frost
Outdoors: 2 wks After Last Frost
Spacing: 2.5 ft (72 cm)
Days To Germination: 7-14
Seed Life: 3 Years
Grow'n
Watering: Moderate
Sunshine: full Sun
Height: 3 ft (1 m)
Width: 2 ft (60 cm)
Nutrient levels: N-low, P-low, K-low
Companion Plants: Asparagus, basil, bush bean, cabbage family carrot, cucumber, garlic, lettuce, maragold, onion and pepper
Bad Companions: Dill, pole bean and potato
Overview:
The tomatillo originated in Mexico and was domesticated for cultivation by the Aztecs. It is from the same family as the tomato, and is still most commonly grown and used in Mexico. They are sometimes called a green tomato, and although they are related, they are of a different genus and should not be mistaken for an unripe tomato.
Planting and Growing:
Tomatillo's are best started indoors in late winter or early spring about 6 weeks before transplanting outside. As they grow, seedlings should be transplanted into larger, deeper pots to encourage root development and avoid stunting their growth.
Transplant outside when danger of frost has subsided or about 2 to 4 weeks after the last frost. In cool climates, set out the plant on the last frost date with a row cover or Wall-O-Water. They grow very much like a tomato and like to sprawl, so it is best to cage the plant to keep the fruits off the ground.
Tomatillo's are easy to grow, but need to have at least two plants to set fruit. If ground was prepared with good compost in the fall, there shouldn't be a need to fertilize after planting, unless they show signs of nutrient deficiency. Water tomatillo's heavily during growing, tapering off when fruits are ready to harvest.
Harvesting and Preserving:
The tomatillos grow in little paper husks. They are ripe when the husk starts to split, about 2 months after planting.
Like tomatoes, tomatillos can be preserved by bottling, or used in salsas and jams.
The tomatillo originated in Mexico and was domesticated for cultivation by the Aztecs. It is from the same family as the tomato, and is still most commonly grown and used in Mexico. They are sometimes called a green tomato, and although they are related, they are of a different genus and should not be mistaken for an unripe tomato.
Planting and Growing:
Tomatillo's are best started indoors in late winter or early spring about 6 weeks before transplanting outside. As they grow, seedlings should be transplanted into larger, deeper pots to encourage root development and avoid stunting their growth.
Transplant outside when danger of frost has subsided or about 2 to 4 weeks after the last frost. In cool climates, set out the plant on the last frost date with a row cover or Wall-O-Water. They grow very much like a tomato and like to sprawl, so it is best to cage the plant to keep the fruits off the ground.
Tomatillo's are easy to grow, but need to have at least two plants to set fruit. If ground was prepared with good compost in the fall, there shouldn't be a need to fertilize after planting, unless they show signs of nutrient deficiency. Water tomatillo's heavily during growing, tapering off when fruits are ready to harvest.
Harvesting and Preserving:
The tomatillos grow in little paper husks. They are ripe when the husk starts to split, about 2 months after planting.
Like tomatoes, tomatillos can be preserved by bottling, or used in salsas and jams.
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