homegrownC harvest PLANTING BASICS Sources Getting Started In warmer climates, tomatillos can be directly seeded in the Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds, ground about four to six weeks after your last spring frost. Transplants, however, Mansfield, MO. (417) 924-8917. are recommended in cooler regions of the country or where summers are short. www.rareseeds.com. Tangy Tomatillos For transplants, sow seeds indoors five to six weeks ahead of when you want Johnny’s Selected Seeds, Winslow, to plant them, which should be one to two weeks later than tomatoes, or about ME. (877) 564-6697. by Kris Wetherbee the same time that you normally transplant basil outdoors. Be sure to harden the www.johnnyseeds.com. transplants off as you would tomato plants. Regardless of whether you direct seed Territorial Seed Company, Cottage or start with transplants, the key is to wait until the days and nights are consistently Grove, OR. (800) 626-0866. HAT LOOKS like a small warm—and above 60 degrees. Tomatillos don’t self-pollinate readily, so it’s best www.territorialseed.com. green tomato but isn’t; is to grow at least two plants to ensure an abundant harvest. Set your transplants W generally used while still deep—with soil level just below the first set of leaves—as you would for tomatoes. green, tart, and quite firm; becomes very Spacing Plants grow large, so space seedlings or transplants two to three feet have swollen to fill the husk—technical- sweet when the fruit turns yellow or purple; apart in—and between—rows, depending on whether plants are left to sprawl on ly it’s the flower’s calyx—which may or and all the while remains wrapped up in a the ground, or are staked or caged. may not have split open. Depending on papery husk? If it weren’t for the obvious Days to Maturity 60 to 80 days, depending on variety. the variety, the fruits range in size from a title above, would you know the answer? marble to a golf ball. They will have a tart The summer fruiting tomatillo (Phys- crisp bite with hints of lemon and apple, alis ixocarpa) can take your taste buds on with a strong jet of water, or by applying a turing selections include the purple- making them ideal for use in salsas, sauc- a tart to sweet adventure all on one pro- natural soap-based spray. blushed fruit of the Mexican heirloom es, and salads. lific, easy-to-grow plant. Also known as Powdery mildew and other fungal ‘De Milpa’ (70 days), known for its tart- When fully ripe, tomatillo fruits be- husk tomato or Mexican green tomato, diseases can be an issue if plants are sweet flavor and long storage, and deco- come softer and sweeter and turn pale they are popular in Mexican and South- spaced too closely, particularly if you rative ‘Purple’ (70 days), which has deep yellow to purple. The loose, papery husks western cooking and are the main ingre- garden where summers are hot and purple skin and green husks. Even later typically turn buff in color. At this stage, dient in salsa verde. humid. Avoid overhead watering as maturing are ‘Miltomate’ (80–83 days), some people like to eat tomatillos fresh off Beyond its piquant flavor and abun- much as possible to slow the spread of which yields small but richly flavored the plant, or use them to make jams, jellies, dance of nutritious minerals, vitamins, these diseases. one-inch fruits, the large-fruited ‘San and pies. Overripe fruits should be harvest- and antioxidants, the tomatillo is a de- Juanito’ (80–83 days), and the slightly ed as well to prevent self-sown seedlings lightful garden plant. I especially trea- RECOMMENDED VARIETIES larger ‘Rio Grande Verde’ (80–83 days). the following year. Regardless of when you sure its bushy, sprawling growth habit, Early-maturing varieties grown for their harvest the fruits, simmering, grilling, or its easy-care nature, and its dangling pa- green fruits include ‘Toma Verde’ and ENJOYING THE HARVEST roasting them will enhance the flavor. pery packages filled with tasty summer the slightly larger-fruited ‘Mexican Tomatillo fruits are generally harvested After harvest, leave the protective pa- treats just waiting to be unwrapped. Strain’ (both 60–65 days). Later ma- when they are still green and firm but pery husks in place until you are ready to use the fruit. You can store tomatillos in GROWING GUIDELINES a paper bag in the vegetable bin of your A close relative of tomatoes and cape goose- refrigerator for two to four weeks. When berries in the nightshade family, tomatillos you are ready to use them, remove the love summer heat, so choose a site in full husk and wash the fruit thoroughly to sun with free draining, moderately rich remove their natural stickiness. soil. If you garden in heavy clay soil, work Making salsa verde is simply a mat- ample amounts of organic matter into the ter of combining tomatillos with onion, soil in advance of planting, or create raised Tomatillo fruits are covered with papery husks that must be removed before they can be eaten garlic, green chilies, cilantro, and a lit- beds. Free draining is the key phrase, be- out of hand, chopped to make fresh salsa, baked in pies, or cooked in jams. tle salt in a food processor and blending cause tomatillos won’t survive for long in to your desired consistency. Extra salsa soggy, heavy soil. For prolific harvests, the (see “Planting Basics,” opposite page). more accessible and reduces the needed freezes well in plastic containers. soil pH should be as close to neutral (7.0) Water regularly and deeply as you would planting area but also increases air circu- If you don’t have time to cook tomatillos as possible. for tomatoes and apply a two- to three- lation and thus discourages diseases. for long-term storage or are overwhelmed Prior to planting, amend the soil with inch layer of mulch shortly after planting by a bountiful harvest, whole fruits also keep compost or well-aged manure. If your to keep the soil evenly moist. You can PESTS AND DISEASES well in the freezer; just remove the husks, plants seem to need a nutritional boost cut back on water slightly once fruiting One reason that tomatillos are easy to grow rinse and dry the fruit, and place them after they start to bloom, side dress with begins to reduce skin cracking. is that they rarely suffer from diseases or whole in freezer bags. These can be thawed additional compost or manure, or add a Tomatillos grow from three to four pest infestations. Aphids are the most like- later to make sauces that will add fresh sum- balanced organic fertilizer. feet tall and, if left to sprawl, equally ly encountered pests, signaled by stunted mer flavor to your winter fare. m As with tomatoes, plant tomatillo wide. Staking plants when young, train- growth and curling or yellowing of young seedlings outdoors only when air and ing them on a trellis, or growing them shoots and leaves. The war on aphids, how- Freelance garden writer Kris Wetherbee LYNNEHARRISON soil temperatures are consistently warm in tomato cages not only makes the fruit ever, is easily won by knocking them off JOSHMCCULLOUGH ‘De Milpa’ is an heirloom variety from Mexico that produces purple-tinged fruits. lives in Oakland, Oregon.

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