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When to Plant Tomatillo in Newton 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.

Newton County, Arkansas is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 13 and the first fall frost is October 22, giving you a growing season of approximately 192 days.

At an elevation of 881 feet, Newton County receives approximately 48.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 86ยฐF, providing good warmth for Tomatillo during the growing season.

Newton County, AR (Zone 6b) Moderate season
192 days
Last Spring Frost April 13
192 growing days
First Fall Frost October 22

Newton County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.7-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (49 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 7 Transplant: Apr 18 🍅 Harvest: Jun 20 – Aug 29
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (45 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 16 Transplant: Apr 27 🍅 Harvest: Jun 29 – Sep 7
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (51 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 26 Transplant: May 7 🍅 Harvest: Jul 9 – Sep 17

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 ~1,051 GDD — county provides 2,784 GDD Excellent fit

Tomatillo Planting Timeline โ€” Newton County, AR

Tomatillo Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 16 Feb 16 โ€“ Mar 2
Transplant Outdoors April 27 Apr 27 โ€“ May 11
Direct Sow April 20 Apr 20 โ€“ May 11
Harvest June 29 Jun 29 โ€“ Sep 7

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 Harvest
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 6b

Growing Season

192 days

Growing Tips for Newton 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 Newton County, AR?

Newton County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 13. Plan your Tomatillo planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Newton County, AR?

Newton County, Arkansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 13 and first fall frost is October 22.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Newton County gardeners in Zone 6b 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 Newton County, AR. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.