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When to Plant Tomatillo in Emanuel 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.

Emanuel County, Georgia is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 19 and the first fall frost is November 13, giving you a growing season of approximately 239 days.

At an elevation of 277 feet, Emanuel County receives approximately 59 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 95ยฐF, so Tomatillo may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. 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.

Emanuel County, GA (Zone 8a) Long season
239 days
Last Spring Frost March 19
239 growing days
First Fall Frost November 13

Emanuel County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

5.5-6.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (95 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 19 Transplant: Mar 23 🍅 Harvest: May 25 – Aug 3
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (92 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 29 Transplant: Apr 2 🍅 Harvest: Jun 4 – Aug 13
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (92 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 17 Transplant: Apr 21 🍅 Harvest: Jun 23 – Sep 1

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
1.0″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Tomatillo needs ~1,541 GDD — county provides 5,078 GDD Excellent fit

Tomatillo Planting Timeline โ€” Emanuel County, GA

Tomatillo Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 29 Jan 29 โ€“ Feb 12
Transplant Outdoors April 2 Apr 2 โ€“ Apr 16
Direct Sow March 26 Mar 26 โ€“ Apr 16
Harvest June 4 Jun 4 โ€“ Aug 13

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January Start Indoors
February Start Indoors
March Direct Sow
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 8a

Growing Season

239 days

Growing Tips for Emanuel 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 Emanuel County, GA?

Emanuel County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 19. Plan your Tomatillo planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Emanuel County, GA?

Emanuel County, Georgia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 19 and first fall frost is November 13.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Emanuel County gardeners in Zone 8a 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 Emanuel County, GA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.