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When to Plant Tomatillo in Trempealeau County, WI

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

Trempealeau County, Wisconsin is in USDA Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 15 and the first fall frost is September 30, giving you a growing season of approximately 138 days.

At an elevation of 1,222 feet, Trempealeau County receives approximately 39.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 81ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Tomatillo to ensure they mature before fall.

Trempealeau County, WI (Zone 4b) Short season
138 days
Last Spring Frost May 15
138 growing days
First Fall Frost September 30

Trempealeau County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.7-7.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Mar 7 Transplant: May 30 🍅 Harvest: Aug 1 – Oct 10
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Mar 13 Transplant: Jun 5 🍅 Harvest: Aug 7 – Oct 16
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Mar 20 Transplant: Jun 12 🍅 Harvest: Aug 14 – Oct 23

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 ~779 GDD — county provides 1,483 GDD Excellent fit

Tomatillo Planting Timeline โ€” Trempealeau County, WI

Tomatillo Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 13 Mar 13 โ€“ Mar 27
Transplant Outdoors June 5 Jun 5 โ€“ Jun 19
Direct Sow May 29 May 29 โ€“ Jun 19
Harvest August 7 Aug 7 โ€“ Oct 16

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

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 4b

Growing Season

138 days

Growing Tips for Trempealeau 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 Trempealeau County, WI?

Trempealeau County is in Zone 4b with an average last frost of May 15. Plan your Tomatillo planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Trempealeau County, WI?

Trempealeau County, Wisconsin is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 15 and first fall frost is September 30.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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