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When to plant Tomatillo in Patrick Afb, FL

Plant Tomatillo in Patrick Afb, when soil hits 50°F — usually January 19. Continue planting through February 9 for the spring crop.

When to Plant Tomatillo in Patrick Afb, FL

Brevard County, Florida Zone 10a July

Your July planting checklist for Brevard County, Florida

July is a pivotal month for Brevard County, Florida gardens. Focus on these tasks first and you'll set up the rest of the season for success.

Avg. last frost January 19
Avg. first frost December 20
Soil temp (4") 93°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 13.6 hrs
  1. Plan the fall garden

    Make a planting map for August. Tomatoes, peppers, brassicas, lettuce, root crops all go in over the next 8 weeks. Soil amendments and irrigation prep happen now.

  2. Keep heat-survivor crops productive

    Daily harvest of okra and southern peas keeps plants producing. Let pods over-mature and the plant stops setting new fruit.

  3. Watch for hurricane prep season

    August-October is hurricane season. Stake young trees, secure rain barrels, and plan how to protect tender transplants from high winds.

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Tomatillos are a Mexican staple that produces tart, green fruits enclosed in papery husks. They are essential for salsa verde and green sauces.

Patrick Afb, Florida is in USDA Zone 10a. The average last spring frost is January 19 and the first fall frost is December 20, giving you a growing season of approximately 335 days.

At an elevation of 491 feet, Brevard County receives approximately 52.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sand soil. Summer highs average 104°F, so Tomatillo may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring — great for early planting — but Tomatillo will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Tomatillo root diseases.

Patrick Afb, FL (Zone 10a) Year-round
335 days
Last Spring Frost January 19
335 growing days
First Fall Frost December 20

Patrick Afb Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sand

Soil pH

4.8-5.9

Drainage

Well Drained

Tomatillo Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (198 days to spare)
Start indoors: Dec 2 Transplant: Jan 20 🍅 Harvest: Mar 24 – Jun 2
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (195 days to spare)
Start indoors: Dec 8 Transplant: Jan 26 🍅 Harvest: Mar 30 – Jun 8
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (170 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 6 Transplant: Feb 24 🍅 Harvest: Apr 28 – Jul 7

Percentages indicate frost risk at transplant. The 70% safe window means there is a 30% chance of frost after transplant — suitable for cold-hardy crops or gardeners with frost protection. The 90% safe window is best for tender plants.

Soil Compatibility in Patrick Afb

How your county's soil matches Tomatillo's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (4.8–5.9) is more acidic than Tomatillo prefers (6.0–7.0). Add garden lime to raise pH.

Soil Texture

Sandy soil in Brevard County warms quickly in spring but drains fast. Tomatillo will need more frequent watering and regular compost additions to retain nutrients.

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Tomatillo.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is low (1.6%). Add 2-3 inches of compost before planting Tomatillo.

How to Plant Tomatillo

1"
Planting Depth
15"
Between Plants
24"
Between Rows

Succession Planting Tomatillo

6
successive plantings in your 335-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Sep 26 to harvest before frost.

Tomatillo Water Budget

Plant needs
1.1″/week
Rainfall provides
0.7″/week
You supply
0.9″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 2,768 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Monthly Watering Guide for Tomatillo

Tomatillo needs approximately 1.1 inches of water per week (4.8" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Tomatillo Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 4.8" 2.2" 2.6" 🚿 Regular watering
Feb 4.8" 3.1" 1.7" 💧 Light watering
Mar 4.8" 3.5" 1.3" 💧 Light watering
Apr 4.8" 2.5" 2.3" 💧 Light watering
May 4.8" 3.8" 1" 💧 Light watering
Jun 4.8" 7.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.8" 6.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.8" 6.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 4.8" 7.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 4.8" 5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 4.8" 1.9" 2.9" 🚿 Regular watering
Dec 4.8" 2.3" 2.5" 🚿 Regular watering

Water needs are for active growing months only (Jan–Dec in Brevard County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Tomatillo Heat Requirements (GDD)

What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?

Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" — every day above 50°F deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.

Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.

Tomatillo needs ~2,030 GDD — county provides 9,408 GDD Excellent fit

Tomatillo Planting Timeline — Patrick Afb, FL

Tomatillo Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors December 8 Dec 8 – Dec 22
Transplant Outdoors January 26 Jan 26 – Feb 9
Direct Sow January 19 Jan 19 – Feb 9
Harvest March 30 Mar 30 – Jun 8

Plant 1" deep · 15" apart · Rows 24" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
February Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
March Harvest
April Harvest
May Harvest
June Harvest
July
August
September
October
November
December Start Indoors

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

1.1"/week · 2-3 times/week

📅 Days to Maturity

60–85 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: too_acidic

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 10a

📆 Growing Season

335 days in Brevard County

Growing Tips for Tomatillo in Patrick Afb

Direct sow Tomatillo outdoors after January 19 in Brevard County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Sandy soil in Brevard County dries quickly — mulch Tomatillo with 2-3 inches of straw and water deeply 2-3 times per week rather than lightly every day.

With summer highs reaching 104°F in Brevard County, provide afternoon shade for Tomatillo and water deeply in the morning.

Common pests for Tomatillo in this region include tomato hornworm and aphids. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.

General growing tips

Start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost. Plant at least two plants for cross-pollination. Harvest when fruits fill the husk and it begins to split.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Fennel
  • Dill

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

When should I plant Tomatillo in Patrick Afb, FL?

In Patrick Afb, FL, plant Tomatillo after the last frost (around January 19) and before the first frost (around December 20). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Patrick Afb, FL for Tomatillo?

Patrick Afb sits in USDA Zone 10a. Tomatillo grows reliably in zones 4a through 11b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Tomatillo grow in Patrick Afb's climate?

Yes — Tomatillo grows well in Patrick Afb's temperate climate. Patrick Afb averages a 336-day frost-free season, with last frost around January 19 and first frost around December 20.

🌱

Your Brevard County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Brevard County (Zone 10a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

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Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Brevard County, FL. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: July 2026.