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When to Plant Tomatillo in Grayson County, KY

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

Grayson County, Kentucky is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 6 and the first fall frost is October 28, giving you a growing season of approximately 205 days.

At an elevation of 1,089 feet, Grayson County receives approximately 40.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 90ยฐF, providing good warmth for Tomatillo during the growing season.

Grayson County, KY (Zone 6b) Long season
205 days
Last Spring Frost April 6
205 growing days
First Fall Frost October 28

Grayson County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.3-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (55 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 5 Transplant: Apr 16 🍅 Harvest: Jun 18 – Aug 27
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (58 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 9 Transplant: Apr 20 🍅 Harvest: Jun 22 – Aug 31
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (54 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 25 Transplant: May 6 🍅 Harvest: Jul 8 – Sep 16

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 Grayson County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.3โ€“6.8) overlaps with Tomatillo's range (6.0โ€“7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.9%). 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 205-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 04 to harvest before frost.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.1″/week
Rainfall provides
0.8″/week
You supply
0.3″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 501 gal / 100 sq ft
Tomatillo needs ~1,269 GDD — county provides 3,587 GDD Excellent fit

Tomatillo Planting Timeline โ€” Grayson County, KY

Tomatillo Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 9 Feb 9 โ€“ Feb 23
Transplant Outdoors April 20 Apr 20 โ€“ May 4
Direct Sow April 13 Apr 13 โ€“ May 4
Harvest June 22 Jun 22 โ€“ Aug 31

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 Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
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 Only during dry spells

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

60โ€“85 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“7 ยท Your soil: acceptable

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 6b

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

205 days in Grayson County

Growing Tips for Tomatillo in Grayson County

Direct sow Tomatillo outdoors after April 06 in Grayson County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

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 Grayson County, KY?

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

What planting zone is Grayson County, KY?

Grayson County, Kentucky is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 6 and first fall frost is October 28.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Grayson County gardeners in Zone 6b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Grayson County, KY. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.