De Milpa Organic
Physalis philadelphica
HOW TO GROW TOMATILLO
Sow 4-6 seeds per inch, 6-8 weeks before transplanting out (1-2 weeks later than tomatoes). Transplant after danger of frost and grow without support. Can be buried up to the top 2 sets of leaves. Plants grow large if unpruned, space 2-3' apart. Strong light and cooler temperatures 60-70°F prevent plants from getting leggy. Harvest when the fruit is plump and papery husk splits. Ripe fruits will pull easily from the plant. Fruits store 2-4 weeks at 45°F (7°C). Tomatillo plants are susceptible to early blight, anthracnose, late blight, and tobacco mosaic virus, among other diseases. Take care to rotate crops in your garden and remove diseased plants promptly. Soil pH 4.3-6.6. Hardiness zones 4. Annual.
Days from maturity calculated from the date of seeding. Average 18,500 seeds per ounce. Federal germination standard: 50%. Usual seed life: 4–6 years. Isolation distance for seed saving: 800 feet to 1/2 mile.
Planting Depth 1/4”
Soil Temp. Germ. 70-85˚F
Days to Germ. 6-14
Plant Spacing 2–3’
Row Spacing 4–6’
Days To Maturity 70
Full Sun, Moist Well Drained
Days from maturity calculated from the date of seeding. Average 18,500 seeds per ounce. Federal germination standard: 50%. Usual seed life: 4–6 years. Isolation distance for seed saving: 800 feet to 1/2 mile.
Planting Depth 1/4”
Soil Temp. Germ. 70-85˚F
Days to Germ. 6-14
Plant Spacing 2–3’
Row Spacing 4–6’
Days To Maturity 70
Full Sun, Moist Well Drained
- 30 Seeds$4.10
- 300 Seeds$15.50
Mexican heirloom. In Mexico, these tomatillos grow unattended in family corn fields and are harvested for home use and for selling in town on market day. High dry matter, small to medium, round fruits store fresh for several weeks, handy for fresh salsa. Portions of the fruits blush with purple, especially after har...
Mexican heirloom. In Mexico, these tomatillos grow unattended in family corn fields and are harvested for home use and for selling in town on market day. High dry matter, small to medium, round fruits store fresh for several weeks, handy for fresh salsa. Portions of the fruits blush with purple, especially after harvest. Tags: Color: Purple, Size: Medium, Specialty: Storage, Heritage: Heirloom, New Listing, Season: Summer, Certification: Organic.
The wild tomatillo and related plants are found everywhere in the Americas except in the far north, with the highest diversity in Mexico. In 2017, scientists reported on their discovery and analysis of a fossil tomatillo found in the Patagonian region of Argentina, dated to 52 million years B.P. The finding has pushed back the earliest appearance of the Solanaceae plant family of which the tomatillos are one genus. Tomatillos were domesticated in Mexico before the coming of Europeans, and played an important part in the culture of the Maya and the Aztecs, more important than the tomato. The specific name philadelphica dates from the 18th century. Delicious tomatillo recipes.
Companions: basil, mint, chives, sage, parsley, garlic
Inhibitors: Potatoes, eggplant, and corn all attract insects that will also eat tomatillos.
Learn More
Reviews