Tomatillo in Zone 4a & 4b
Physalis philadelphica
When to plant tomatillo in zone 4b
Zones 4a and 4b share the same average frost dates in our data, so this page covers both.
Method: Start indoors: Start indoors from seed, then transplant outside. Tomatillo needs a head start most zones can't give it by direct-sowing alone.
| Start indoors | Mar 27–Apr 3 |
|---|---|
| Direct sow / transplant outside | Jun 5–Jun 12 |
| Estimated harvest | Aug 9–Aug 16 (~65 days after transplanting) |
Spacing: about 4 square feet per plant (square-foot-gardening spacing). Mature height: 2-4 ft.
Tomatillo is a tomato relative grown for its tart, green (or purple) fruit, each wrapped in a papery husk. It's a staple of salsa verde and green chili, and it grows a lot like a sprawling, vigorous tomato plant.
How tomatillo fits zone 4's season
Zone 4b's frost-free window runs about 128 days, from May 15 to September 20. Tomatillo needs about 65 days from transplant to first harvest.
Good companions
No standout companions recorded yet for Tomatillo.
Where to buy tomatillo seeds
See why we recommend these suppliers →
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See it growing
Search YouTube for "growing tomatillo" videos → (a live search, not a hand-picked video; results vary and aren't vetted by us)
← Back to the full zone 4b calendar · Full companion planting guide · Full plant profile · Plan your beds in the Garden Designer →
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Growing Tomatillo in USDA zone 4b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a harvest.
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