When to Plant Tomatillo in Clearfield County, PA
Your May planting checklist for Clearfield County, Pennsylvania
May rewards gardeners who work with the weather, not against it. Here's how to stay in step this month in Clearfield County, Pennsylvania.
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Move tomatillo into the garden
Plant tomatoes deep — bury the stem up to the first true leaves to grow extra roots. Everything else goes in at the same depth it grew in the tray.
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Seed tomatillo outdoors
Mark the row. Birds and stray feet both have opinions about unmarked beds.
June will be here before you know it — start on
- Starting indoors: tomatillo
Tomatillos are a Mexican staple that produces tart, green fruits enclosed in papery husks. They are essential for salsa verde and green sauces.
Clearfield County, Pennsylvania is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is May 2 and the first fall frost is October 18, giving you a growing season of approximately 169 days.
At an elevation of 69 feet, Clearfield County receives approximately 47 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 83°F, so choose short-season varieties of Tomatillo to ensure they mature before fall.
Clearfield County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Silt Loam
Soil pH
4.9-6.5
Drainage
Well Drained
Plant Planting Risk Windows
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 Clearfield County
How your county's soil matches Tomatillo's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (4.9–6.5) is more acidic than Tomatillo prefers (6.0–7.0). Add garden lime to raise pH.
Soil Texture
The silt loam soil in Clearfield County is excellent for Tomatillo — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is moderate (3.2%). Annual compost additions will help Tomatillo.
How to Plant Tomatillo
Succession Planting Tomatillo
Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 25 to harvest before frost.
Plant Water Budget
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 | — | 3.1" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 2.9" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 3.6" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | — | 4.3" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| May | 4.8" | 4.3" | 0.5" | 💧 Light watering |
| Jun | 4.8" | 4.6" | 0.2" | 💧 Light watering |
| Jul | 4.8" | 5.1" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Aug | 4.8" | 3.7" | 1.1" | 💧 Light watering |
| Sep | 4.8" | 3.7" | 1.1" | 💧 Light watering |
| Oct | 4.8" | 4.2" | 0.6" | 💧 Light watering |
| Nov | — | 3.5" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 3.9" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Oct in Clearfield 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 Planting Timeline — Clearfield County, PA
Tomatillo Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | March 7 | Mar 7 – Mar 21 |
| Transplant Outdoors | May 16 | May 16 – May 30 |
| Direct Sow | May 9 | May 9 – May 30 |
| Harvest | July 18 | Jul 18 – Sep 26 |
Plant 1" deep · 15" apart · Rows 24" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | Start Indoors |
| April | — |
| May | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| June | — |
| July | Harvest |
| August | Harvest |
| September | Harvest |
| October | — |
| November | — |
| December | — |
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 6a
📆 Growing Season
169 days in Clearfield County
Growing Tips for Tomatillo in Clearfield County
Direct sow Tomatillo outdoors after May 02 in Clearfield 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
Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Tomatillo in Other Locations
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Tomatillo in Clearfield County, PA?
Clearfield County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of May 2. Plan your Tomatillo planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Clearfield County, PA?
Clearfield County, Pennsylvania is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is May 2 and first fall frost is October 18.
Your Clearfield County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Clearfield County (Zone 6a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.