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When to Plant Tomatillo in Fayette County, TN

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

Fayette County, Tennessee is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 29 and the first fall frost is November 1, giving you a growing season of approximately 217 days.

At an elevation of 1,266 feet, Fayette County receives approximately 51.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 90ยฐF, providing good warmth for Tomatillo during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Tomatillo root diseases.

Fayette County, TN (Zone 7b) Long season
217 days
Last Spring Frost March 29
217 growing days
First Fall Frost November 1

Fayette County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.4-7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (75 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 30 Transplant: Apr 3 🍅 Harvest: Jun 5 – Aug 14
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (70 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 8 Transplant: Apr 12 🍅 Harvest: Jun 14 – Aug 23
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (75 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 25 Transplant: Apr 29 🍅 Harvest: Jul 1 – Sep 9

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
1.0″/week
You supply
0.0″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 14 gal / 100 sq ft
Tomatillo needs ~1,269 GDD — county provides 3,797 GDD Excellent fit

Tomatillo Planting Timeline โ€” Fayette County, TN

Tomatillo Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 8 Feb 8 โ€“ Feb 22
Transplant Outdoors April 12 Apr 12 โ€“ Apr 26
Direct Sow April 5 Apr 5 โ€“ Apr 26
Harvest June 14 Jun 14 โ€“ Aug 23

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 โ€”
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 7b

Growing Season

217 days

Growing Tips for Fayette 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 Fayette County, TN?

Fayette County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of March 29. Plan your Tomatillo planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Fayette County, TN?

Fayette County, Tennessee is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 29 and first fall frost is November 1.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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