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When to plant Tomatillo in Daviess County, IN

Daviess County gardeners should plant Tomatillo between April 21 and May 12 in spring. With Daviess County's Zone 6b climate (last frost April 14), Tomatillo needs 60–85 days to mature — plant by July 28 for a full harvest.

When to Plant Tomatillo in Daviess County, IN

Daviess County, Indiana Zone 6b June

June in the garden — Daviess County, Indiana

A quick June briefing for Daviess County, Indiana gardeners — what's urgent, what's next, and what can wait.

Avg. last frost April 14
Avg. first frost October 21
Soil temp (4") 74°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.7 hrs
  1. Sow tomatillo in trays indoors

    Your window is short. These crops want several weeks of indoor growth before they go outside.

  2. Pick tomatillo

    The more you pick, the more the plant produces. Letting fruit overripen tells the plant it's time to stop.

Looking ahead to July
  • First harvests: tomatillo

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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.

Daviess County, Indiana is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 14 and the first fall frost is October 21, giving you a growing season of approximately 190 days.

At an elevation of 806 feet, Daviess County receives approximately 32.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 88°F, providing good warmth for Tomatillo during the growing season.

Daviess County, IN (Zone 6b) Moderate season
190 days
Last Spring Frost April 14
190 growing days
First Fall Frost October 21

Daviess County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.8-7.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Tomatillo Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (44 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 12 Transplant: Apr 23 🍅 Harvest: Jun 25 – Sep 3
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (43 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 17 Transplant: Apr 28 🍅 Harvest: Jun 30 – Sep 8
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (44 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 4 Transplant: May 13 🍅 Harvest: Jul 15 – Sep 23

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 Daviess County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.8–7.2) overlaps with Tomatillo's range (6.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The silt loam soil in Daviess County is excellent for Tomatillo — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (4.7%) — Tomatillo will thrive.

How to Plant Tomatillo

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

Succession Planting Tomatillo

3
successive plantings in your 190-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 28 to harvest before frost.

Tomatillo Water Budget

Plant needs
1.1″/week
Rainfall provides
0.7″/week
You supply
0.5″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 765 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 1.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 4.8" 3.5" 1.3" 💧 Light watering
May 4.8" 3.8" 1" 💧 Light watering
Jun 4.8" 4.2" 0.6" 💧 Light watering
Jul 4.8" 3.6" 1.2" 💧 Light watering
Aug 4.8" 3.1" 1.7" 💧 Light watering
Sep 4.8" 2.6" 2.2" 💧 Light watering
Oct 4.8" 3" 1.8" 💧 Light watering
Nov 2.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 1.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Daviess 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 ~1,160 GDD — county provides 3,040 GDD Excellent fit

Tomatillo Planting Timeline — Daviess County, IN

Tomatillo Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 17 Feb 17 – Mar 3
Transplant Outdoors April 28 Apr 28 – May 12
Direct Sow April 21 Apr 21 – May 12
Harvest June 30 Jun 30 – Sep 8

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

1.1"/week · 1-2 times/week

📅 Days to Maturity

60–85 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 6b

📆 Growing Season

190 days in Daviess County

Growing Tips for Tomatillo in Daviess County

Direct sow Tomatillo outdoors after April 14 in Daviess County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

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 →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Tomatillo in Daviess County, IN?

Daviess County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 14. Plan your Tomatillo planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Daviess County, IN?

Daviess County, Indiana is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 14 and first fall frost is October 21.

When should I plant Tomatillo in Daviess County, IN?

In Daviess County, IN, plant Tomatillo after the last frost (around April 14) and before the first frost (around October 21). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Daviess County, IN for Tomatillo?

Daviess County sits in USDA Zone 6b. Tomatillo grows reliably in zones 4a through 11b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Tomatillo grow in Daviess County's climate?

Yes — Tomatillo grows well in Daviess County's temperate climate. Daviess County averages a 190-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 14 and first frost around October 21.

🌱

Your Daviess County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Daviess County (Zone 6b). 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 Daviess County, IN. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.