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When to Plant Tomatillo in Craighead County, AR

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

Craighead County, Arkansas is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is March 26 and the first fall frost is November 3, giving you a growing season of approximately 222 days.

At an elevation of 992 feet, Craighead County receives approximately 45.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 91ยฐF, providing good warmth for Tomatillo during the growing season.

Craighead County, AR (Zone 7a) Long season
222 days
Last Spring Frost March 26
222 growing days
First Fall Frost November 3

Craighead County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.4-7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (83 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 24 Transplant: Mar 28 🍅 Harvest: May 30 – Aug 8
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (75 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 5 Transplant: Apr 9 🍅 Harvest: Jun 11 – Aug 20
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (76 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 26 Transplant: Apr 30 🍅 Harvest: Jul 2 – Sep 10

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
0.9″/week
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 275 gal / 100 sq ft
Tomatillo needs ~1,323 GDD — county provides 4,051 GDD Excellent fit

Tomatillo Planting Timeline โ€” Craighead County, AR

Tomatillo Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 5 Feb 5 โ€“ Feb 19
Transplant Outdoors April 9 Apr 9 โ€“ Apr 23
Direct Sow April 2 Apr 2 โ€“ Apr 23
Harvest June 11 Jun 11 โ€“ Aug 20

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February Start Indoors
March โ€”
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May โ€”
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 7a

Growing Season

222 days

Growing Tips for Craighead 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 Craighead County, AR?

Craighead County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of March 26. Plan your Tomatillo planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Craighead County, AR?

Craighead County, Arkansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is March 26 and first fall frost is November 3.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Craighead County gardeners in Zone 7a 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 Craighead County, AR. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.