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When to Plant Tomatillo in Wolfe 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.

Wolfe County, Kentucky is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 18 and the first fall frost is October 21, giving you a growing season of approximately 186 days.

At an elevation of 1,977 feet, Wolfe County receives approximately 49.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 90ยฐF, providing good warmth for Tomatillo during the growing season.

Wolfe County, KY (Zone 6b) Moderate season
186 days
Last Spring Frost April 18
186 growing days
First Fall Frost October 21

Wolfe County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.5-7.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (43 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 13 Transplant: Apr 24 🍅 Harvest: Jun 26 – Sep 4
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (39 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 21 Transplant: May 2 🍅 Harvest: Jul 4 – Sep 12
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (32 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 11 Transplant: May 20 🍅 Harvest: Jul 22 – Sep 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.

Soil Compatibility in Wolfe County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.5โ€“7.1) overlaps with Tomatillo's range (6.0โ€“7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.0%). Annual compost additions will help Tomatillo.

How to Plant Tomatillo

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

Succession Planting Tomatillo

3
successive plantings in your 186-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 28 to harvest before frost.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.1″/week
Rainfall provides
1.1″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Tomatillo needs ~1,269 GDD — county provides 3,255 GDD Excellent fit

Tomatillo Planting Timeline โ€” Wolfe County, KY

Tomatillo Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 21 Feb 21 โ€“ Mar 7
Transplant Outdoors May 2 May 2 โ€“ May 16
Direct Sow April 25 Apr 25 โ€“ May 16
Harvest July 4 Jul 4 โ€“ Sep 12

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February Start Indoors
March Start Indoors
April Direct Sow
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June โ€”
July Harvest
August Harvest
September Harvest
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 6b

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

186 days in Wolfe County

Growing Tips for Tomatillo in Wolfe County

Direct sow Tomatillo outdoors after April 18 in Wolfe 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 Wolfe County, KY?

Wolfe County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 18. Plan your Tomatillo planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Wolfe County, KY?

Wolfe County, Kentucky is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 18 and first fall frost is October 21.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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

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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 Wolfe County, KY. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.