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When to Plant Tomatillo in Woods County, OK

Woods County, Oklahoma Zone 7a May

Your May game plan for Woods County, Oklahoma

Your Woods County, Oklahoma garden is entering a new phase. Here's what's on the schedule for May and why each task matters now.

Avg. last frost April 12
Avg. first frost October 26
Soil temp (4") 63°F
Watering Moderate
Pest pressure Low
Daylight 14 hrs
  1. Begin indoor sowing: tomatillo

    Give them 6–8 weeks indoors before the last frost and you'll transplant into warm soil with seedlings that are already leaping.

Get ahead of June
  • 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.

Woods County, Oklahoma is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 12 and the first fall frost is October 26, giving you a growing season of approximately 197 days.

At an elevation of 882 feet, Woods County receives approximately 23.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 88°F, providing good warmth for Tomatillo during the growing season.

Woods County, OK (Zone 7a) Moderate season
197 days
Last Spring Frost April 12
197 growing days
First Fall Frost October 26
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Woods County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.7-7.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (51 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 16 Transplant: Apr 20 🍅 Harvest: Jun 22 – Aug 31
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (50 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 22 Transplant: Apr 26 🍅 Harvest: Jun 28 – Sep 6
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (56 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 5 Transplant: May 7 🍅 Harvest: Jul 9 – Sep 17

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 Woods County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.7–7.8) is more alkaline than Tomatillo prefers (6.0–7.0). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.4%). Annual compost additions will help Tomatillo.

How to Plant Tomatillo

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

Succession Planting Tomatillo

3
successive plantings in your 197-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 02 to harvest before frost.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.1″/week
Rainfall provides
0.5″/week
You supply
0.7″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 1,278 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 0.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 0.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 1.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 4.8" 2.8" 2" 💧 Light watering
May 4.8" 3.3" 1.5" 💧 Light watering
Jun 4.8" 3.3" 1.5" 💧 Light watering
Jul 4.8" 3" 1.8" 💧 Light watering
Aug 4.8" 2.7" 2.1" 💧 Light watering
Sep 4.8" 1.9" 2.9" 🚿 Regular watering
Oct 4.8" 1.7" 3.1" 🚿 Regular watering
Nov 0.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 0.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Woods 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 3,152 GDD Excellent fit

Tomatillo Planting Timeline — Woods County, OK

Tomatillo Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 22 Feb 22 – Mar 8
Transplant Outdoors April 26 Apr 26 – May 10
Direct Sow April 19 Apr 19 – May 10
Harvest June 28 Jun 28 – Sep 6

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
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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_alkaline

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 7a

📆 Growing Season

197 days in Woods County

Growing Tips for Tomatillo in Woods County

Direct sow Tomatillo outdoors after April 12 in Woods 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.

Woods County receives only 23" of rain annually. Tomatillo needs consistent moisture — install drip irrigation or water deeply 2-3 times per week.

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 Woods County, OK?

Woods County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 12. Plan your Tomatillo planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Woods County, OK?

Woods County, Oklahoma is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 12 and first fall frost is October 26.

🌱

Your Woods County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Woods County (Zone 7a). 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 Woods County, OK. 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.