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When to Plant Tomatillo in Chambers County, AL

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

Chambers County, Alabama is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 6 and the first fall frost is October 29, giving you a growing season of approximately 206 days.

At an elevation of 375 feet, Chambers County receives approximately 54 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 93ยฐF, 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. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Tomatillo root diseases.

Chambers County, AL (Zone 7b) Long season
206 days
Last Spring Frost April 6
206 growing days
First Fall Frost October 29

Chambers County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

5.4-6.4

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (63 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 6 Transplant: Apr 10 🍅 Harvest: Jun 12 – Aug 21
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (59 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 16 Transplant: Apr 20 🍅 Harvest: Jun 22 – Aug 31
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (58 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 2 Transplant: May 4 🍅 Harvest: Jul 6 – Sep 14

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.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
1.1″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Tomatillo needs ~1,432 GDD — county provides 4,068 GDD Excellent fit

Tomatillo Planting Timeline โ€” Chambers County, AL

Tomatillo Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 16 Feb 16 โ€“ Mar 2
Transplant Outdoors April 20 Apr 20 โ€“ May 4
Direct Sow April 13 Apr 13 โ€“ May 4
Harvest June 22 Jun 22 โ€“ Aug 31

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

Days to Maturity

60โ€“85 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 7

USDA Zone

Zone 7b

Growing Season

206 days

Growing Tips for Chambers County

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

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Tomatillo in Chambers County, AL?

Chambers County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of April 6. Plan your Tomatillo planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Chambers County, AL?

Chambers County, Alabama is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 6 and first fall frost is October 29.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Chambers County gardeners in Zone 7b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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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 Chambers County, AL. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.