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When to Plant Tomatillo in Uinta County, WY

Uinta County, Wyoming Zone 5a May

Uinta County, Wyoming gardeners: here's your May plan

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

Avg. last frost June 17
Avg. first frost August 31
Soil temp (4") 38°F
Watering High
Pest pressure Low
Daylight 14.3 hrs
Looking ahead to June
  • Direct-sowing: 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.

Uinta County, Wyoming is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is June 17 and the first fall frost is August 31, giving you a growing season of approximately 75 days.

At an elevation of 5,768 feet, Uinta County receives approximately 23.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 82°F, so choose short-season varieties of Tomatillo to ensure they mature before fall.

Uinta County, WY (Zone 5a) Very short season
75 days
Last Spring Frost June 17
75 growing days
First Fall Frost August 31

Uinta County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.3-8.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Apr 15 Transplant: Jun 24 🍅 Harvest: Aug 26 – Nov 4
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Apr 22 Transplant: Jul 1 🍅 Harvest: Sep 2 – Nov 11
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Apr 29 Transplant: Jul 8 🍅 Harvest: Sep 9 – Nov 18

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 Uinta County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.3–8.3) is more alkaline than Tomatillo prefers (6.0–7.0). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.2%). Annual compost additions will help Tomatillo.

How to Plant Tomatillo

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

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.1″/week
Rainfall provides
1.3″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 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 1.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 2.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 2.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Jun 4.8" 1.8" 3" 🚿 Regular watering
Jul 4.8" 1.8" 3" 🚿 Regular watering
Aug 4.8" 2.2" 2.6" 🚿 Regular watering
Sep 2.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Oct 1.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Nov 1.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 1.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Jun–Aug in Uinta 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 ~834 GDD — county provides 862 GDD Good fit

Tomatillo Planting Timeline — Uinta County, WY

Tomatillo Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors April 22 Apr 22 – May 6
Transplant Outdoors July 1 Jul 1 – Jul 15
Direct Sow June 24 Jun 24 – Jul 15
Harvest September 2 Sep 2 – Nov 11

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 5a

📆 Growing Season

75 days in Uinta County

Growing Tips for Tomatillo in Uinta County

Direct sow Tomatillo outdoors after June 17 in Uinta County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Your 75.0-day growing season in Uinta County is tight for Tomatillo (60.0-85.0 days to maturity). Start indoors and choose early-maturing varieties.

Common pests for Tomatillo in this region include tomato hornworm and aphids. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.

Uinta County receives only 24" 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 Uinta County, WY?

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

What planting zone is Uinta County, WY?

Uinta County, Wyoming is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is June 17 and first fall frost is August 31.

🌱

Your Uinta County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Uinta County (Zone 5a). 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 Uinta County, WY. 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.