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When to Plant Tomatillo in Greeley County, NE

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

Greeley County, Nebraska is in USDA Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is April 27 and the first fall frost is October 9, giving you a growing season of approximately 165 days.

At an elevation of 1,040 feet, Greeley County receives approximately 30.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 83ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Tomatillo to ensure they mature before fall.

Greeley County, NE (Zone 4b) Moderate season
165 days
Last Spring Frost April 27
165 growing days
First Fall Frost October 9

Greeley County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.2-7.4

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (13 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 18 Transplant: May 13 🍅 Harvest: Jul 15 – Sep 23
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (11 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 23 Transplant: May 18 🍅 Harvest: Jul 20 – Sep 28
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (9 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 12 Transplant: Jun 4 🍅 Harvest: Aug 6 – Oct 15

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
0.8″/week
You supply
0.2″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 321 gal / 100 sq ft
Tomatillo needs ~888 GDD — county provides 2,021 GDD Excellent fit

Tomatillo Planting Timeline โ€” Greeley County, NE

Tomatillo Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 23 Feb 23 โ€“ Mar 9
Transplant Outdoors May 18 May 18 โ€“ Jun 1
Direct Sow May 11 May 11 โ€“ Jun 1
Harvest July 20 Jul 20 โ€“ Sep 28

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February Start Indoors
March Start Indoors
April โ€”
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
July Harvest
August Harvest
September Harvest
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 4b

Growing Season

165 days

Growing Tips for Greeley 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 Greeley County, NE?

Greeley County is in Zone 4b with an average last frost of April 27. Plan your Tomatillo planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Greeley County, NE?

Greeley County, Nebraska is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is April 27 and first fall frost is October 9.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Greeley County gardeners in Zone 4b 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 Greeley County, NE. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.