Tomatillo in Zone 5a & 5b
Physalis philadelphica
When to plant tomatillo in zone 5b
Zones 5a and 5b 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 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.
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.
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 5b calendar · Full companion planting guide · Full plant profile · 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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