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When to Plant Tomatillo in Scott County, VA

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

Scott County, Virginia is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 17 and the first fall frost is October 22, giving you a growing season of approximately 188 days.

At an elevation of 1,389 feet, Scott County receives approximately 44.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 91ยฐF, providing good warmth for Tomatillo during the growing season.

Scott County, VA (Zone 6b) Moderate season
188 days
Last Spring Frost April 17
188 growing days
First Fall Frost October 22

Scott County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.5-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (44 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 13 Transplant: Apr 24 🍅 Harvest: Jun 26 – Sep 4
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (41 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 20 Transplant: May 1 🍅 Harvest: Jul 3 – Sep 11
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (36 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 9 Transplant: May 18 🍅 Harvest: Jul 20 – Sep 28

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 30 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Tomatillo needs ~1,323 GDD — county provides 3,431 GDD Excellent fit

Tomatillo Planting Timeline โ€” Scott County, VA

Tomatillo Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 20 Feb 20 โ€“ Mar 6
Transplant Outdoors May 1 May 1 โ€“ May 15
Direct Sow April 24 Apr 24 โ€“ May 15
Harvest July 3 Jul 3 โ€“ Sep 11

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February Start Indoors
March Start Indoors
April Direct Sow
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June โ€”
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 6b

Growing Season

188 days

Growing Tips for Scott 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 Scott County, VA?

Scott County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 17. Plan your Tomatillo planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Scott County, VA?

Scott County, Virginia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 17 and first fall frost is October 22.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Scott County gardeners in Zone 6b 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 Scott County, VA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.