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When to Plant Tomatillo in Sheridan 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.

Sheridan County, Nebraska is in USDA Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 14 and the first fall frost is September 28, giving you a growing season of approximately 137 days.

At an elevation of 1,111 feet, Sheridan County receives approximately 25.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 82ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Tomatillo to ensure they mature before fall.

Sheridan County, NE (Zone 4a) Short season
137 days
Last Spring Frost May 14
137 growing days
First Fall Frost September 28

Sheridan County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.7-7.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Mar 9 Transplant: Jun 1 🍅 Harvest: Aug 3 – Oct 12
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Mar 12 Transplant: Jun 4 🍅 Harvest: Aug 6 – Oct 15
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Mar 22 Transplant: Jun 14 🍅 Harvest: Aug 16 – Oct 25

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
0.3″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 333 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 10/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Tomatillo needs ~834 GDD — county provides 1,575 GDD Excellent fit

Tomatillo Planting Timeline โ€” Sheridan County, NE

Tomatillo Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 12 Mar 12 โ€“ Mar 26
Transplant Outdoors June 4 Jun 4 โ€“ Jun 18
Direct Sow May 28 May 28 โ€“ Jun 18
Harvest August 6 Aug 6 โ€“ Oct 15

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Season

137 days

Growing Tips for Sheridan 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 Sheridan County, NE?

Sheridan County is in Zone 4a with an average last frost of May 14. Plan your Tomatillo planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Sheridan County, NE?

Sheridan County, Nebraska is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 14 and first fall frost is September 28.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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