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When to Plant Tomatillo in Clallam County, WA

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

Clallam County, Washington is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is April 23 and the first fall frost is October 26, giving you a growing season of approximately 186 days.

At an elevation of 194 feet, Clallam County receives approximately 54.8 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. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Tomatillo root diseases.

Clallam County, WA (Zone 8a) Moderate season
186 days
Last Spring Frost April 23
186 growing days
First Fall Frost October 26

Clallam County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.7-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (40 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 24 Transplant: Apr 28 🍅 Harvest: Jun 30 – Sep 8
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (39 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 5 Transplant: May 7 🍅 Harvest: Jul 9 – Sep 17
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (37 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 21 Transplant: May 23 🍅 Harvest: Jul 25 – Oct 3

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
1.2″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Tomatillo needs ~888 GDD — county provides 2,278 GDD Excellent fit

Tomatillo Planting Timeline โ€” Clallam County, WA

Tomatillo Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 5 Mar 5 โ€“ Mar 19
Transplant Outdoors May 7 May 7 โ€“ May 21
Direct Sow April 30 Apr 30 โ€“ May 21
Harvest July 9 Jul 9 โ€“ Sep 17

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
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 8a

Growing Season

186 days

Growing Tips for Clallam 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 Clallam County, WA?

Clallam County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of April 23. Plan your Tomatillo planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Clallam County, WA?

Clallam County, Washington is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is April 23 and first fall frost is October 26.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Clallam County gardeners in Zone 8a 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 Clallam County, WA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.