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When to Plant Tomatillo in Davis County, UT

Davis County, Utah Zone 7a May

May to-do list for Davis County, Utah

Each item below is timed to Davis County, Utah's frost dates and soil temperatures. Skip nothing, stress about nothing.

Avg. last frost May 6
Avg. first frost October 10
Soil temp (4") 49°F
Watering High
Pest pressure Low
Daylight 14.3 hrs
  1. Move tomatillo from tray to bed

    Pinch off the lowest leaves on each seedling before you plant — it reduces water loss while the roots catch up.

  2. Plant tomatillo from seed, right in the garden

    Sow every 2 weeks for a continuous harvest. A single big planting means a single big glut.

Before June arrives, get these ready
  • Starting indoors: 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.

Davis County, Utah is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is May 6 and the first fall frost is October 10, giving you a growing season of approximately 157 days.

At an elevation of 4,567 feet, Davis County receives approximately 16.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 91°F, providing good warmth for Tomatillo during the growing season. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Tomatillo successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.

Davis County, UT (Zone 7a) Moderate season
157 days
Last Spring Frost May 6
157 growing days
First Fall Frost October 10

Davis County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.5-7.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (9 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 8 Transplant: May 10 🍅 Harvest: Jul 12 – Sep 20
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (10 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 18 Transplant: May 20 🍅 Harvest: Jul 22 – Sep 30
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Apr 22 Transplant: Jun 24 🍅 Harvest: Aug 26 – Nov 4

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 Davis County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.5–7.6) is more alkaline than Tomatillo prefers (6.0–7.0). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.1%). 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 157-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 17 to harvest before frost.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.1″/week
Rainfall provides
0.4″/week
You supply
0.8″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 1,100 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 10/10 — 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 1.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 1.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 1.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 4.8" 1.7" 3.1" 🚿 Regular watering
Jun 4.8" 1" 3.8" 🚿 Regular watering
Jul 4.8" 1.7" 3.1" 🚿 Regular watering
Aug 4.8" 2" 2.8" 🚿 Regular watering
Sep 4.8" 1.5" 3.3" 🚿 Regular watering
Oct 4.8" 1.4" 3.4" 🚿 Regular watering
Nov 1.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 0.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Oct in Davis 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 ~1,323 GDD — county provides 2,865 GDD Excellent fit

Tomatillo Planting Timeline — Davis County, UT

Tomatillo Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 18 Mar 18 – Apr 1
Transplant Outdoors May 20 May 20 – Jun 3
Direct Sow May 13 May 13 – Jun 3
Harvest July 22 Jul 22 – Sep 30

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 Harvest
August Harvest
September Harvest
October
November
December

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

157 days in Davis County

Growing Tips for Tomatillo in Davis County

Direct sow Tomatillo outdoors after May 06 in Davis 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.

Davis County receives only 17" 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 Davis County, UT?

Davis County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of May 6. Plan your Tomatillo planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Davis County, UT?

Davis County, Utah is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is May 6 and first fall frost is October 10.

🌱

Your Davis County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Davis 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.

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Davis County, UT. 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.