Pancho (F1) Tomatillo Seed

Scientific name

Physalis philadelphica

Culture

Grow tomatillos much like tomatoes. Once established they handle drought, heat, cold and lean soil better than tomatoes do, and they suit most U.S. regions. Seed usually comes up in 7–10 days.

Starting indoors

Sow in 50-cell trays 4–5 weeks before planting out, or sow thickly in a flat and pot up later. Keep moist until seedlings appear.

Transplanting

Plant out once frost is past, about 1–2 weeks after your first tomatoes. Set plants deep so the buried stem roots, 24–36" apart depending on how you will support them. Grow at least two plants: tomatillos need a partner to set fruit.

Care

Black plastic and row cover speed growth in cool areas. The short, sprawling plants do better with some support, as for determinate tomatoes. They grow well in containers too; an open trellis that lifts the plants makes picking easier.

Pests and disease

As for tomatoes.

Harvest

Pick weekly, husks on, while fruit is firm and bright green and fills the papery husk. For market, leave the husk on but split enough to show the fruit. Fruit that has softened and yellowed is past its best and splits easily.

Storage

Fruit is damaged by cold and by ethylene. Keep it dry in the husk at room temperature for 1–2 weeks, or at 5–10°C (41–50°F) and 80–90% humidity for 3–4 weeks. It also keeps longer in the refrigerator, husked or not, and can be frozen for cooking later.

Days to maturity

Counted from transplanting.

Packet

40 seeds.

Seeds per lb.

About 280,000 on average.