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When to Plant Tomatillo in Harrison County, WV

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

Harrison County, West Virginia is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 27 and the first fall frost is October 19, giving you a growing season of approximately 175 days.

At an elevation of 1,201 feet, Harrison County receives approximately 46.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 87ยฐF, providing good warmth for Tomatillo during the growing season.

Harrison County, WV (Zone 6a) Moderate season
175 days
Last Spring Frost April 27
175 growing days
First Fall Frost October 19

Harrison County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.5-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (28 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 26 Transplant: May 7 🍅 Harvest: Jul 9 – Sep 17
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (28 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 2 Transplant: May 11 🍅 Harvest: Jul 13 – Sep 21
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (25 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 19 Transplant: May 28 🍅 Harvest: Jul 30 – Oct 8

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
1.1″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Tomatillo needs ~1,106 GDD — county provides 2,668 GDD Excellent fit

Tomatillo Planting Timeline โ€” Harrison County, WV

Tomatillo Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 2 Mar 2 โ€“ Mar 16
Transplant Outdoors May 11 May 11 โ€“ May 25
Direct Sow May 4 May 4 โ€“ May 25
Harvest July 13 Jul 13 โ€“ Sep 21

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 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 6a

Growing Season

175 days

Growing Tips for Harrison 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 Harrison County, WV?

Harrison County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 27. Plan your Tomatillo planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Harrison County, WV?

Harrison County, West Virginia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 27 and first fall frost is October 19.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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