Tomatillo in Zone 5a & 5b
Physalis philadelphica
Yes, tomatillo grows in zones 5a and 5b. Start seeds indoors Mar 22–Mar 29 and plant out May 31–Jun 7.
When to plant tomatillo in zone 5b
Zones 5a and 5b share the same average frost dates, so this page covers both.
Method: Start indoors: Start indoors from seed, then transplant outside. It needs a head start most zones can't give it by direct-sowing alone.
| Start indoors | Mar 22–Mar 29 |
|---|---|
| Direct sow / transplant outside | May 31–Jun 7 |
| Estimated harvest | Aug 4–Aug 11 (~65 days after transplanting) |
Spacing: about 4 square feet per plant (square-foot-gardening spacing). Mature height: 2-4 ft.
Plant alongside it in zone 5b
These go outside within two weeks of tomatillo in zone 5b, so one planting day can cover them.
- TomatoMay 24–May 31
- Bush BeansMay 17–May 24
- Sweet CornMay 17–May 24
- CucumberMay 17–May 24
- ZucchiniMay 17–May 24
- Winter SquashMay 17–May 24
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 5's season
Zone 5b's frost-free window runs about 148 days, from May 10 to October 5. Tomatillo needs about 65 days from transplant to first harvest.
Tomatillo planting windows in every zone
Zone 5b is highlighted. Useful for comparing against a neighbouring zone, or for a garden somewhere else.
| Zone | Start indoors | Sow or plant out | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3a & 3b | Apr 11–Apr 18 | Jun 20–Jun 27 | Aug 24–Aug 31 |
| 4a & 4b | Mar 27–Apr 3 | Jun 5–Jun 12 | Aug 9–Aug 16 |
| 5a & 5b (your zone) | Mar 22–Mar 29 | May 31–Jun 7 | Aug 4–Aug 11 |
| 6a & 6b | Mar 7–Mar 14 | May 16–May 23 | Jul 20–Jul 27 |
| 7a & 7b | Feb 20–Feb 27 | May 1–May 8 | Jul 5–Jul 12 |
| 8a & 8b | Feb 4–Feb 11 | Apr 15–Apr 22 | Jun 19–Jun 26 |
| 9a & 9b | Dec 28–Jan 4 | Mar 8–Mar 15 | May 12–May 19 |
| 10a & 10b | Dec 12–Dec 19 | Feb 20–Feb 27 | Apr 26–May 3 |
| 11a & 11b | Nov 13–Nov 20 | Jan 22–Jan 29 | Mar 28–Apr 4 |
Harvest dates are about 65 days after the sow or plant-out date, not after starting seeds indoors.
Good companions
No well-established companions for tomatillo.
Where to buy tomatillo seeds
Botanical Interests · True Leaf Market · Burpee · High Mowing Organic Seeds (each supplier's tomatillo seeds)
Varieties we recommend, and where to get them:
- Toma Verde: An early, sweet-flavored green tomatillo that SDSU Extension lists among the reliable home-garden picks. Buy: True Leaf Market · High Mowing Organic Seeds Full notes
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 5b calendar · Plan your beds in the Garden Designer →
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Growing Tomatillo in USDA zone 5b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a harvest.
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