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When to Plant Tomatillo in Wyoming County, NY

Wyoming County, New York Zone 5b May

May in Wyoming County, New York — your action list

Welcome to May in Zone 5b. These are the moves that will have the biggest impact on your growing season.

Avg. last frost May 17
Avg. first frost October 5
Soil temp (4") 59°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure Low
Daylight 14.4 hrs
  1. Transplant tomatillo outside

    Pick a cloudy afternoon or evening to plant. Less transplant shock, and your seedlings will barely blink.

  2. Scatter tomatillo into prepared beds

    Mark the row. Birds and stray feet both have opinions about unmarked beds.

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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.

Wyoming County, New York is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 17 and the first fall frost is October 5, giving you a growing season of approximately 141 days.

At an elevation of 816 feet, Wyoming County receives approximately 48.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 85°F, providing good warmth for Tomatillo during the growing season.

Wyoming County, NY (Zone 5b) Short season
141 days
Last Spring Frost May 17
141 growing days
First Fall Frost October 5
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Wyoming County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.1-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (0 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 11 Transplant: May 20 🍅 Harvest: Jul 22 – Sep 30
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Mar 22 Transplant: May 31 🍅 Harvest: Aug 2 – Oct 11
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Apr 5 Transplant: Jun 14 🍅 Harvest: Aug 16 – Oct 25

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 Wyoming County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.1–6.7) is more acidic than Tomatillo prefers (6.0–7.0). Add garden lime to raise pH.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.0%). Annual compost additions will help Tomatillo.

How to Plant Tomatillo

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

Succession Planting Tomatillo

2
successive plantings in your 141-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 12 to harvest before frost.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.1″/week
Rainfall provides
1.5″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft

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 3.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 3.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 4.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 3.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 4.8" 4.5" 0.3" 💧 Light watering
Jun 4.8" 4.6" 0.2" 💧 Light watering
Jul 4.8" 5.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.8" 4.7" 0.1" 💧 Light watering
Sep 4.8" 3.5" 1.3" 💧 Light watering
Oct 4.8" 4" 0.8" 💧 Light watering
Nov 4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 3.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Oct in Wyoming 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 ~997 GDD — county provides 1,938 GDD Excellent fit

Tomatillo Planting Timeline — Wyoming County, NY

Tomatillo Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 22 Mar 22 – Apr 5
Transplant Outdoors May 31 May 31 – Jun 14
Direct Sow May 24 May 24 – Jun 14
Harvest August 2 Aug 2 – Oct 11

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

1.1"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient

📅 Days to Maturity

60–85 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: too_acidic

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 5b

📆 Growing Season

141 days in Wyoming County

Growing Tips for Tomatillo in Wyoming County

Direct sow Tomatillo outdoors after May 17 in Wyoming 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 Wyoming County, NY?

Wyoming County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of May 17. Plan your Tomatillo planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Wyoming County, NY?

Wyoming County, New York is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 17 and first fall frost is October 5.

🌱

Your Wyoming County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Wyoming County (Zone 5b). 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 Wyoming County, NY. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: May 2026.

Sources & credits

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