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When to Plant Tomatillo in Camden County, NJ

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

Camden County, New Jersey is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 5 and the first fall frost is November 12, giving you a growing season of approximately 221 days.

At an elevation of 561 feet, Camden County receives approximately 43.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 89ยฐF, providing good warmth for Tomatillo during the growing season.

Camden County, NJ (Zone 7a) Long season
221 days
Last Spring Frost April 5
221 growing days
First Fall Frost November 12

Camden County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5-6.4

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (75 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 3 Transplant: Apr 7 🍅 Harvest: Jun 9 – Aug 18
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (74 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 15 Transplant: Apr 19 🍅 Harvest: Jun 21 – Aug 30
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (74 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 10 Transplant: May 12 🍅 Harvest: Jul 14 – Sep 22

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 333 gal / 100 sq ft
Tomatillo needs ~1,214 GDD — county provides 3,701 GDD Excellent fit

Tomatillo Planting Timeline โ€” Camden County, NJ

Tomatillo Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 15 Feb 15 โ€“ Mar 1
Transplant Outdoors April 19 Apr 19 โ€“ May 3
Direct Sow April 12 Apr 12 โ€“ May 3
Harvest June 21 Jun 21 โ€“ Aug 30

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February Start Indoors
March Start Indoors
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

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 7a

Growing Season

221 days

Growing Tips for Camden 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 Camden County, NJ?

Camden County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 5. Plan your Tomatillo planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Camden County, NJ?

Camden County, New Jersey is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 5 and first fall frost is November 12.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Camden County gardeners in Zone 7a 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 Camden County, NJ. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.