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When to Plant Tomatillo in Peel (Mississauga/Brampton), ON

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

Peel (Mississauga/Brampton), Ontario is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 3 and the first fall frost is October 27, giving you a growing season of approximately 207 days.

At an elevation of 511 feet, Peel (Mississauga/Brampton) receives approximately 41.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 88°F, providing good warmth for Tomatillo during the growing season. Clay soil retains moisture well for Tomatillo, but amend with compost to improve drainage and prevent root rot.

Peel (Mississauga/Brampton), ON (Zone 7b) Long season
207 days
Last Spring Frost April 3
207 growing days
First Fall Frost October 27

Peel (Mississauga/Brampton) Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Drainage

Well Drained

Tomatillo Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (36 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 25 Transplant: Apr 29 🍅 Harvest: Jul 1 – Sep 9
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (36 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 25 Transplant: Apr 29 🍅 Harvest: Jul 1 – Sep 9
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (36 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 25 Transplant: Apr 29 🍅 Harvest: Jul 1 – Sep 9

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.

How to Plant Tomatillo

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

Tomatillo Water Budget

Plant needs
1.1″/week
Rainfall provides
0.9″/week
You supply
0.3″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 464 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 1.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 4.8" 4.6" 0.2" 💧 Light watering
May 4.8" 4.6" 0.2" 💧 Light watering
Jun 4.8" 5.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.8" 4.1" 0.7" 💧 Light watering
Aug 4.8" 4" 0.8" 💧 Light watering
Sep 4.8" 4.1" 0.7" 💧 Light watering
Oct 4.8" 3" 1.8" 💧 Light watering
Nov 3.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 2.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Peel (Mississauga/Brampton)). 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 3,312 GDD Excellent fit

Tomatillo Planting Timeline — Peel (Mississauga/Brampton), ON

Tomatillo Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 13 Feb 13 – Feb 27
Transplant Outdoors April 17 Apr 17 – May 1
Direct Sow April 10 Apr 10 – May 1
Harvest June 19 Jun 19 – Aug 28

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

1.1"/week · Only during dry spells

📅 Days to Maturity

60–85 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: N/A

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 7b

📆 Growing Season

207 days in Peel (Mississauga/Brampton)

Growing Tips for Tomatillo in Peel (Mississauga/Brampton)

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 Peel (Mississauga/Brampton), ON?

Peel (Mississauga/Brampton) is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of April 3. Plan your Tomatillo planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Peel (Mississauga/Brampton), ON?

Peel (Mississauga/Brampton), Ontario is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 3 and first fall frost is October 27.

🌱

Your Peel (Mississauga/Brampton) Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Peel (Mississauga/Brampton) (Zone 7b). 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 Peel (Mississauga/Brampton), ON. 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.