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When to Plant Tomatillo in Fulton 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.

Fulton County, Georgia is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 23 and the first fall frost is November 6, giving you a growing season of approximately 228 days.

At an elevation of 457 feet, Fulton County receives approximately 53.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 90ยฐF, 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.

Fulton County, GA (Zone 7b) Long season
228 days
Last Spring Frost March 23
228 growing days
First Fall Frost November 6

Fulton County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

5.7-6.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (82 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 27 Transplant: Mar 31 🍅 Harvest: Jun 2 – Aug 11
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (81 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 2 Transplant: Apr 6 🍅 Harvest: Jun 8 – Aug 17
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (79 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 21 Transplant: Apr 25 🍅 Harvest: Jun 27 – Sep 5

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.

Soil Compatibility in Fulton County

How your county's soil matches Tomatillo's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.7โ€“6.5) overlaps with Tomatillo's range (6.0โ€“7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The clay loam soil in Fulton County is excellent for Tomatillo โ€” good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Tomatillo.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.8%). Annual compost additions will help Tomatillo.

How to Plant Tomatillo

1"
Planting Depth
15"
Between Plants
24"
Between Rows

Succession Planting Tomatillo

4
successive plantings in your 228-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 13 to harvest before frost.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.1″/week
Rainfall provides
1.0″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Tomatillo needs ~1,269 GDD — county provides 3,990 GDD Excellent fit

Tomatillo Planting Timeline โ€” Fulton County, GA

Tomatillo Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 2 Feb 2 โ€“ Feb 16
Transplant Outdoors April 6 Apr 6 โ€“ Apr 20
Direct Sow March 30 Mar 30 โ€“ Apr 20
Harvest June 8 Jun 8 โ€“ Aug 17

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
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

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

1.1"/week ยท Natural rainfall sufficient

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

60โ€“85 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“7 ยท Your soil: acceptable

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 7b

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

228 days in Fulton County

Growing Tips for Tomatillo in Fulton County

Direct sow Tomatillo outdoors after March 23 in Fulton County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

With Fulton County's clay soil (26% clay), work in 3-4 inches of compost before planting Tomatillo. Avoid tilling when soil is wet to prevent compaction.

Common pests for Tomatillo in this region include tomato hornworm and aphids. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.

General growing tips

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 Fulton County, GA?

Fulton County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of March 23. Plan your Tomatillo planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Fulton County, GA?

Fulton County, Georgia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 23 and first fall frost is November 6.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Fulton 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 Fulton County, GA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.