Gardening Guides
Edible Gardens
Summer Crops: How to Grow Tomatillos
Grow this Mexican native for the freshest salsa verde — and for fewer problems than its tomato cousins
Tomatillos, also called husk tomatoes, are an essential ingredient for many Mexican dishes, including salsa verde and enchiladas verde. They're also tasty whether eaten raw or cooked, so why not add them to your edible garden? They have the same basic care requirements as their tomato cousins, with the added advantage of fewer problems and a longer and often earlier harvest, a plus in short-summer areas. They also reseed easily.
The plants resemble tomatoes but with papery husks encasing the fruits. Green tomatillos are the most common, but you can find some that are purple or yellow. Purple varieties tend to be sweeter. For unusual varieties check Johnny's Selected Seeds, Seeds of Change and Seed Savers Exchange.
Note: To set fruit, you will need at least two plants for cross-pollination.
The plants resemble tomatoes but with papery husks encasing the fruits. Green tomatillos are the most common, but you can find some that are purple or yellow. Purple varieties tend to be sweeter. For unusual varieties check Johnny's Selected Seeds, Seeds of Change and Seed Savers Exchange.
Note: To set fruit, you will need at least two plants for cross-pollination.
Planting and care: Wait until the frost has passed and the soil has warmed up before planting outdoors. Choose a site with rich, well-drained soil in full sun. Work in compost and a low-nitrogen fertilizer before planting.
Plant deeply, burying about two-thirds of the plant. Leave 1 1/2 to 2 feet between plants. Tomatillos also do well in containers. A 12- to 15-gallon size is good, though they will grow smaller pots.
Water thoroughly after planting. Add supports at this time as well, whether traditional tomato cages, stakes or another sturdy structure. Nonmetal stakes or cages won’t burn the plant if they get hot. As the plants grow, reaching an eventual height of 3 to 4 feet, attach the stems to the supports with soft ties.
Water regularly, about 1 to 2 inches directed to the base of the plant. Keep the roots moist but not soggy Mulching helps preserve water and keep weeds down. To encourage fruit set, feed the soil with a low-nitrogen fertilizer once blossoms appear.
Tomatillos aren’t bothered by many pests and diseases. Providing good air circulation around the plants will help prevent early blight, and staking will frustrate snails and slugs. Other problems you might encounter are aphids, beetles, leaf-damage insects and powdery mildew.
Harvest: Pick the fruit when it has filled the husk but is still firm to touch, and the husk has turned brown and started to split. Remove the husk and wash off the fruit just before use.
Plant deeply, burying about two-thirds of the plant. Leave 1 1/2 to 2 feet between plants. Tomatillos also do well in containers. A 12- to 15-gallon size is good, though they will grow smaller pots.
Water thoroughly after planting. Add supports at this time as well, whether traditional tomato cages, stakes or another sturdy structure. Nonmetal stakes or cages won’t burn the plant if they get hot. As the plants grow, reaching an eventual height of 3 to 4 feet, attach the stems to the supports with soft ties.
Water regularly, about 1 to 2 inches directed to the base of the plant. Keep the roots moist but not soggy Mulching helps preserve water and keep weeds down. To encourage fruit set, feed the soil with a low-nitrogen fertilizer once blossoms appear.
Tomatillos aren’t bothered by many pests and diseases. Providing good air circulation around the plants will help prevent early blight, and staking will frustrate snails and slugs. Other problems you might encounter are aphids, beetles, leaf-damage insects and powdery mildew.
Harvest: Pick the fruit when it has filled the husk but is still firm to touch, and the husk has turned brown and started to split. Remove the husk and wash off the fruit just before use.
Days to maturity: 70 to 120
Light requirement: Full sun
Water requirement: Regular
Favorites: Cisneros, Fiesta Duo, Green Husk, Pineapple, Purple, Purple di Milpa, Toma Verde, Verde Pueblo, Zuni
Photo courtesy of Seed Savers Exchange