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When to Plant Tomatillo in Scott County, MO

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

Scott County, Missouri is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 9 and the first fall frost is October 24, giving you a growing season of approximately 198 days.

At an elevation of 880 feet, Scott County receives approximately 34.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 85ยฐF, providing good warmth for Tomatillo during the growing season.

Scott County, MO (Zone 6b) Moderate season
198 days
Last Spring Frost April 9
198 growing days
First Fall Frost October 24

Scott County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.5-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Monthly Watering Guide for Tomatillo

Tomatillo needs approximately 1 inches of water per week (4.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Tomatillo Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan โ€” 1.4" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Feb โ€” 1.7" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Mar โ€” 2.2" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Apr 4.3" 3.7" 0.6" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
May 4.3" 3.6" 0.7" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Jun 4.3" 4.7" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 4.1" 0.2" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Aug 4.3" 3.4" 0.9" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Sep 4.3" 3.2" 1.1" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Oct 4.3" 2.7" 1.6" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Nov โ€” 2.4" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Dec โ€” 1.8" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Aprโ€“Oct in Scott County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall โ€” actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Tomatillo Planting Timeline โ€” Scott County, MO

Tomatillo Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 12 Feb 12 โ€“ Feb 26
Transplant Outdoors April 23 Apr 23 โ€“ May 7
Direct Sow April 16 Apr 16 โ€“ May 7
Harvest June 25 Jun 25 โ€“ Sep 3

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 Harvest
October โ€”
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

60โ€“85 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“7 ยท Your soil: N/A

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 6b

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

198 days in Scott County

Growing Tips for Scott 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

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Tomatillo in Scott County, MO?

Scott County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 9. Plan your Tomatillo planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Scott County, MO?

Scott County, Missouri is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 9 and first fall frost is October 24.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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