The humble tomato may be the star of the garden show, but its lesser-known cousin, the tomatillo, is equally deserving of attention. While many gardeners have grown tomatoes with ease, there’s a surprising lack of enthusiasm for these papery-wrapped fruits. As someone who’s passionate about Mexican cuisine, I’m here to make the case that tomatillos are an essential addition to any garden – and not just because they’re a crucial ingredient in delicious salsas.
These fruits boast a natural resistance to disease and a dense, juicy interior with a unique vegetal flavor. Whether you’re a fan of spicy dishes or simply looking to add some variety to your cooking repertoire, the tomatillo is an incredibly versatile ingredient that can elevate a wide range of recipes.
Difference Between Tomatoes and Tomatillos
While tomatoes and tomatillos share a common ancestor as members of the nightshade family, these two plants have distinct characteristics. One notable difference is their ripening process: unripe green tomatoes can eventually turn red, whereas tomatillos remain covered in their natural husk throughout their growth cycle. Furthermore, the flavor profiles of these two vegetables differ significantly.
While they both exhibit acidity, tomatillos possess an elusive undertone that sets them apart from tomatoes. This unique characteristic makes them particularly well-suited for crafting delicious salsas.
Tomatillo Varieties
If you’re interested in growing tomatillos, I recommend starting with some of these popular varieties. Among my favorites is the Toma Verde, which stands out for its quick maturation and large fruit size.
Other top picks include: Purple, known for its sweet flavor and dark purple skin; Purple Coban, an heirloom variety that takes 70 days to mature; Tomayo, which produces big green balls of semi-sweet tomatillos perfect for salsas; Amarylla, a yellow-colored variety that’s good for both salsas and preserves; and Rio Grande Verde, the go-to choice for gardeners seeking big fruits.
Whether you’re looking to add some sweetness to your salsa or make a fresh snack off the plant, these varieties offer something for everyone.
Planting Tomatillos
While tomatillos share some similarities with their more popular cousin, tomatoes, they also have distinct characteristics that require different cultivation approaches.
Growing Zones
Tomatillos are adaptable to varying climates, thriving as an annual in USDA zones 4-12. However, in zones 10-11, they exhibit perennials traits, capable of regrowing year after year. As a fruiting plant, tomatillos have a strong affinity for warmth and full sunlight, much like their close relative, the tomato.
Plant in Pairs
While tomatoes and tomatillos share some similarities, a key distinction is that tomatillos require multiple plants in a garden setting due to their inability to self-pollinate. This means you’ll need to plant several tomatillo plants to ensure proper pollination and fruit production. Fortunately, if you’re saving seeds from your tomatillos, there’s no risk of cross-pollination with nearby tomato plants.
Starting Seeds
When it’s time to purchase your seeds, consider visiting your local nursery or starting them indoors. Plants in the nightshade family, such as tomatoes and eggplants, require more preparation before being transferred outside. Tomatillos, for instance, need around 8 weeks of indoor cultivation before they’re ready to harden off. In my zone (5b), I start sowing seeds towards the end of March due to our increasingly late last frost date in May.
To ensure proper germination, plant seeds at a depth of 1/4 to 1/2 inch. Heating mats can significantly aid in warming these summer-loving plants. I concurrently start seedlings for eggplant, pepper, tomato, and tomatillo on the same shelf with a large heat mat beneath the seed tray. This typically takes around 7-10 days, depending on the specific variety’s growth rate.
Transplanting
When the threat of frost has dissipated and the soil has warmed up, it’s time to plant out your tomatillo seedlings. Typically, this occurs several weeks after the last frost date. Interestingly, the transplanting process is similar to that of tomatoes, with the added benefit of encouraging root growth by burying the stem fairly deep. Just like when hardening off tomato seedlings, give your tomatillos a week-long acclimation period before introducing them to their new home in the garden.
Soil Requirements
For optimal tomatillo growth, it’s essential to provide them with a suitable soil environment. Specifically, they thrive in a sandy, well-drained loam that allows for healthy root development and water penetration. Additionally, the ideal pH range for these plants is between 6.0-7.0, which ensures proper nutrient uptake and overall plant health.
Sun Requirements
While tomatillos thrive in a wide range of conditions, they do require a significant amount of sunlight to produce fruit. In fact, it’s ideal for them to receive at least eight hours of direct sunshine each day, as this helps to promote healthy growth and maximize yields.
Spacing
When planting multiple plants together, it’s essential to provide them with sufficient space to grow and thrive. Typically, plants require around 18-24 inches of clearance from one another, allowing for proper air circulation and sunlight penetration. Additionally, spacing rows at a distance of 36-48 inches is also crucial for healthy plant development. This recommended spacing ensures that each plant has the necessary room to unfurl its leaves, absorb nutrients, and reach its full potential.
Support
When cultivating tomatillos, it’s crucial to provide them with adequate support, just as you would for tomato plants. By offering a stake or cage, you can encourage upright growth, thereby reducing the risk of disease that often afflicts sprawled vines. Additionally, supported tomatillos will leave more space for nearby plants and maintain a neater appearance in your garden, ensuring a visually appealing and healthy growing environment.
Container Growing
One effective way to cultivate these plants is by using containers, which allows for greater flexibility and control over their growth. For instance, I typically grow them in large pots on my balcony, utilizing this space to accommodate excess plants that don’t fit within my garden.
Tomatillos are a prime example of a variety that thrives in pots – when they produce abundantly, I can simply relocate the containers indoors during colder months, thereby extending their growing season and reaping greater yields from each plant.
Caring for Tomatillos
To ensure a thriving and productive tomatillo harvest, it’s essential to provide them with optimal growing conditions and care. Here are some simple yet effective tips to keep your tomatillos happy from seed to plate.
Watering
Tomatillos require consistent moisture, similar to tomatoes, but with a few key differences. Aim for around 1-2 inches of water per week, taking care not to make drastic changes that can lead to deformities and skin cracking. While the soil shouldn’t be waterlogged, it’s essential to maintain a steady supply to support healthy growth.
Growing Temperatures
Tomatillos thrive in warm temperatures, but they’re not fans of fluctuations. Before transplanting them outdoors, ensure that summer temperatures have stabilized and there’s no risk of frost. In Northern climates, this can be a challenge due to unpredictable weather patterns. If you’ve planted tomatillos in containers, bring the pots indoors if nighttime temperatures drop too low. This will help protect your plants from damage.
Mulching
Fertilizing
Before applying fertilizers to your tomatillo plants, it’s crucial to test the pH level of your soil first. Tomatillos thrive in conditions where the fertilizer is applied judiciously and in moderation. A low-nitrogen, water-soluble fertilizer used once a week tends to yield the best results for these plants.
Pruning
Maintaining a tidy garden is essential for me, which is why I regularly prune both my tomato and tomatillo plants. This habit keeps the growth under control, preventing the area from becoming overwhelming. To achieve this, I remove suckers that form between stems on my tomato plants, ensuring healthy air circulation and a neat appearance. While I grow my tomatillos in containers, I don’t require the same level of pruning as with my tomatoes, adopting a more gentle approach instead.
Crop Rotation
When it comes to planting nightshades, it’s essential to rotate your crops to avoid depleting the soil of certain nutrients and to reduce the risk of pests and diseases building up. This is particularly important when it comes to nightshades, which can be heavy feeders and may leave behind depleted soil conditions if planted in the same spot year after year.
By rotating your crop, you’ll not only ensure a healthier plant, but also create a more resilient and diverse ecosystem that’s better equipped to handle future challenges.
Succession Sowing
When cultivating tomatillos, it’s essential to consider the maturity dates of the specific variety you’re growing. Most types require a relatively lengthy period before they’re ready for harvest. To ensure a continuous supply, I recommend selecting multiple varieties with staggered maturity dates rather than relying on a single crop. This approach allows you to enjoy a steady flow of paper-wrapped fruit throughout the growing season, even in areas where a mid-summer re-sow may be possible.
Tomatillo Problems and Solutions
While tomatillo cultivation can be generally straightforward, there are still potential pitfalls to be aware of. As someone who has had limited issues with their plants, I’ve found that proper care and attention can go a long way in preventing common problems. However, as a gardener in my zone, I’m also acutely attuned to the impact of weather conditions on my crop’s success.
Problems
When cultivating tomatillos, it’s crucial to understand their specific needs. For instance, a single plant won’t produce fruit because they don’t self-pollinate. To ensure a decent harvest, consider planting at least three tomatillo plants. This will not only increase the chances of cross-pollination but also provide a buffer in case any individual plant experiences issues.
In addition to ensuring sufficient plant numbers, it’s equally important to identify and address potential causes of blossom drop. One common culprit is excessive nitrogen application, which can occur when fertilizing without first testing soil conditions. Unpredictable temperature fluctuations or irregular watering schedules are other possible explanations for this phenomenon.
By recognizing and mitigating these factors, you’ll be better equipped to support the health and productivity of your tomatillo plants.
Flea Beetles
The pesky flea beetle is notorious for its penchant for snacking on plant foliage. When encountering these unwanted pests, a DIY spray can be an effective solution for banishing them. However, in most cases, they are not a significant concern, especially when dealing with nearly mature plants.
Mosaic Virus
When cultivating tomatoes, it’s not uncommon to encounter various diseases that can impact your crop. One common issue is the mosaic virus, a highly contagious and often deadly disease for tomato plants. Infected plants must be carefully identified and immediately removed from the garden to prevent the spread of the virus. This proactive approach will help protect your remaining plants and minimize the risk of further contamination.
Black Spot
Black spot, a fungal infection that can wreak havoc on foliage, manifesting as unsightly dark spots. If left unchecked, this pesky problem may also compromise fruit appearance. While fungicides can provide relief, it’s far more effective to proactively prevent black spot by fostering healthy air circulation between plants and avoiding overwatering. By taking these simple steps, you’ll not only mitigate the risk of infection but also ensure a thriving garden.
Slugs
Gardening enthusiasts are well-versed in the pesky slugs that can wreak havoc on their carefully tended plots. When these slimy pests begin to munch on prized leafy greens, it’s time to bust out the trusty slug deterrents and put a stop to their destructive habits.
Aphids
When discovering an abundance of small, greenish insects on your tomatillo plants, it’s likely that aphids are the culprit. As common garden pests, these tiny bugs can cause significant damage if left unchecked. To identify an infestation, look for telltale signs such as curling or yellowing leaves, the presence of tiny insects (which can also display pink, brown, or yellow coloration), and the sticky honeydew residue they leave behind.
To effectively manage aphid populations, first use a strong spray of water to dislodge them from your plants. Following this initial treatment, consider applying neem oil to provide long-lasting control over these pesky pests.
Cutworms
To prevent cutworms from killing your tomatillos, it’s essential to take a proactive approach. Start by carefully turning over the soil before planting to reveal any hidden larvae. This will give you a chance to eliminate them before they cause damage. Once you’ve exposed any hiding larvae, consider using physical barriers like cardboard plant collars or natural deterrents such as diatomaceous earth to prevent new cutworms from approaching your plants.
If you do encounter any, don’t hesitate to hand-pick them for removal.
Spider Mites
When it comes to dealing with spider mites, the first step is recognizing their presence. You’ll typically notice yellowing and browning leaves, as well as a plethora of tiny, spider-like insects scurrying around your plants. To address this issue, start by pruning away any affected leaves. This will help prevent the problem from spreading further. Next, give your plants a good soaking with water to dislodge any remaining mites.
For long-term control, consider using neem oil, which is a natural and effective way to keep these pests at bay.
Anthracnose
The dreaded fruit rot fungus is notorious for causing unsightly sunken spots on produce, often accompanied by a thick layer of mold. To prevent its spread, it’s essential to avoid excessive water exposure, whether from rain or irrigation. By providing plants with sufficient space and maintaining regular pruning to promote air circulation, you’ll create an environment that’s less conducive to fungal growth.
Mulching the soil is also crucial in preventing the fungus from migrating from the soil to the plant. Furthermore, picking fruits at the precise moment they ripen is vital, as overripe or immature produce is particularly susceptible to this insidious fungal invasion.
Fusarium Wilt
The devastating effect of soil-borne fungus on tomato plants is characterized by uneven damage, where one side of the plant may succumb to infection while the other side remains unaffected. In some cases, the fungus may only impact a portion of the leaves. To mitigate this issue, it’s essential to opt for resistant varieties, promptly remove any infected plants, and maintain a balanced fertilization routine.
Furthermore, ensure that all tools and cages are thoroughly sanitized between uses to prevent the spread of the fungus.
Root Knot Nematode
To combat root-damaging worms, it’s essential to implement a solid crop rotation strategy and opt for cultivars that have natural resistance. These pests can lead to stunted plant growth if left unchecked, making prevention crucial. By adopting these proactive measures, gardeners can significantly reduce the risk of infestation and ensure their crops thrive.
Companions for Tomatillos
When it comes to companion planting, tomatillos are a bit more finicky than other vegetables. However, with the right neighbors, they can thrive. On the flip side, certain plants can stunt their growth or even repel pests that tomatillos need to keep at bay. Here’s a rundown of some good and bad neighbors for your tomatillo patch.
Best Companions
When it comes to growing tomatillos, having the right companions by their side can make a significant difference. One such companion is marigold, which plays a crucial role in ensuring pollination occurs successfully. Other flowers and plants that pair well with tomatillos include peppers, tomatoes, eggplant, sunflowers, onions, garlic, nasturtium, chives, parsley, basil, sage, mint, cabbage, kale, and carrots.
Worst Companions
Harvesting and Storing Tomatillos
As the days go by, it’s time to reap the rewards of your labor – literally! Wait until your green gourds have reached their full potential and the husks start to dry out, typically around 60-80 days after transplanting. Timing is crucial here; overripe fruit can alter its flavor profile, making it less appealing. On the other hand, a few allowed to ripen will yield sweeter, yellower delights perfect for snacking. Just be mindful of those pesky birds and squirrels looking for a sweet treat!
To extend their shelf life, keep the husks intact when storing them in your fridge for up to a few weeks.
Recipes for Using Up Your Tomatillos
Tomatillos are more than just a key ingredient in salsa verde. They’re a versatile fruit that can be used in a variety of dishes, from snacks to main courses. Here are some creative ways to use up your tomatillo harvest.
Salsa verde is a no-brainer – it’s the perfect way to showcase these tart fruits. But why stop there? Try adding roasted tomatillos to chilies and bean stews for an added depth of flavor.
And if you’re feeling adventurous, make some freshly made tomatillo salsa to serve with tortilla chips.
For a twist on traditional Shakshuka, use tomatillos instead of tomatoes. The result is a delicious green sauce that’s perfect for serving over eggs or as a dip.
Tomatillos also pair well with Posole, adding an acidic kick to this hearty soup.
And if you’re looking for a flavorful boost in your Green Chile recipe, tomatillos are the way to go – whether you choose pork, chicken, or turkey as your protein.
Enchiladas are another dish that’s elevated by the addition of tomatillos. Simply make a green sauce with roasted tomatillos and serve it over your baked enchiladas.
So, what’s your favorite variety of tomatillo? Do you prefer them over regular tomatoes or do you grow both? And when it comes to salsa recipes, what’s your go-to?
