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When to Plant Tomatillo in Camden County, GA

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

Camden County, Georgia is in USDA Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is February 14 and the first fall frost is December 6, giving you a growing season of approximately 295 days.

At an elevation of 194 feet, Camden County receives approximately 51.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 102ยฐF, so Tomatillo may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring โ€” great for early planting โ€” but Tomatillo will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Tomatillo root diseases.

Camden County, GA (Zone 9a) Year-round
295 days
Last Spring Frost February 14
295 growing days
First Fall Frost December 6

Camden County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

5.1-6.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (158 days to spare)
Start indoors: Dec 23 Transplant: Feb 10 🍅 Harvest: Apr 14 – Jun 23
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (155 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 3 Transplant: Feb 21 🍅 Harvest: Apr 25 – Jul 4
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (148 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 29 Transplant: Mar 19 🍅 Harvest: May 21 – Jul 30

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
0.7″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Tomatillo needs ~1,921 GDD — county provides 7,844 GDD Excellent fit

Tomatillo Planting Timeline โ€” Camden County, GA

Tomatillo Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 3 Jan 3 โ€“ Jan 17
Transplant Outdoors February 21 Feb 21 โ€“ Mar 7
Direct Sow February 14 Feb 14 โ€“ Mar 7
Harvest April 25 Apr 25 โ€“ Jul 4

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January Start Indoors
February Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
March Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
April Harvest
May Harvest
June Harvest
July Harvest
August โ€”
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 9a

Growing Season

295 days

Growing Tips for Camden 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 Camden County, GA?

Camden County is in Zone 9a with an average last frost of February 14. Plan your Tomatillo planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Camden County, GA?

Camden County, Georgia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is February 14 and first fall frost is December 6.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Camden County gardeners in Zone 9a 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 Camden County, GA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.