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When to Plant Tomatillo in Windsor County, VT

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

Windsor County, Vermont is in USDA Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 12 and the first fall frost is October 7, giving you a growing season of approximately 148 days.

At an elevation of 309 feet, Windsor County receives approximately 48.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 83ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Tomatillo to ensure they mature before fall.

Windsor County, VT (Zone 4b) Short season
148 days
Last Spring Frost May 12
148 growing days
First Fall Frost October 7

Windsor County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

4.9-6.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Mar 4 Transplant: May 27 🍅 Harvest: Jul 29 – Oct 7
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Mar 10 Transplant: Jun 2 🍅 Harvest: Aug 4 – Oct 13
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Mar 23 Transplant: Jun 15 🍅 Harvest: Aug 17 – Oct 26

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.

Soil Compatibility in Windsor County

How your county's soil matches Tomatillo's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (4.9โ€“6.5) is more acidic than Tomatillo prefers (6.0โ€“7.0). Add garden lime to raise pH.

Soil Texture

The silt loam soil in Windsor County is excellent for Tomatillo โ€” good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.6%). Annual compost additions will help Tomatillo.

How to Plant Tomatillo

1"
Planting Depth
15"
Between Plants
24"
Between Rows

Succession Planting Tomatillo

2
successive plantings in your 148-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 14 to harvest before frost.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.1″/week
Rainfall provides
1.4″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Tomatillo needs ~888 GDD — county provides 1,813 GDD Excellent fit

Tomatillo Planting Timeline โ€” Windsor County, VT

Tomatillo Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 10 Mar 10 โ€“ Mar 24
Transplant Outdoors June 2 Jun 2 โ€“ Jun 16
Direct Sow May 26 May 26 โ€“ Jun 16
Harvest August 4 Aug 4 โ€“ Oct 13

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

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

1.1"/week ยท Natural rainfall sufficient

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

60โ€“85 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“7 ยท Your soil: too_acidic

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 4b

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

148 days in Windsor County

Growing Tips for Tomatillo in Windsor County

Direct sow Tomatillo outdoors after May 12 in Windsor County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Common pests for Tomatillo in this region include tomato hornworm and aphids. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.

General growing tips

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 Windsor County, VT?

Windsor County is in Zone 4b with an average last frost of May 12. Plan your Tomatillo planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Windsor County, VT?

Windsor County, Vermont is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 12 and first fall frost is October 7.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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