When to sow Tomatillo in the UK
Tomatillo is frost-tender, so the right week to sow it depends on where in the UK you garden.
Sowing and harvest dates by region
Tomatillo is frost-tender, so its timings shift across the UK. Plot works them out from the Midlands and Lowland Wales baseline using Met Office average frost dates.
| Where you are | Sow indoors | Plant out | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| South West Coast and Cornwall | late January to late February | mid April to early May | mid July to late August |
| South Coast and Channel | early February to early March | late April to early May | late July to early September |
| Greater London (Urban Heat Island) | late January to late February | mid April to early May | mid July to late August |
| South East and Home Counties | late February to late March | early May to late May | early August to mid September |
| East Anglia | late February to late March | mid May to late May | mid August to late September |
| Midlands and Lowland Wales | early March to early April | late May to early June | late August to early October |
| Wales and West Coast | late February to late March | early May to late May | early August to mid September |
| Northern England | mid March to mid April | late May to mid June | late August to early October |
| Scotland Lowlands and Central Belt | late March to mid April | early June to mid June | early September to mid October |
| Scotland Highlands and Islands | mid April to early May | late June to mid July | late September to early November |
| Northern Ireland | late February to late March | mid May to late May | mid August to late September |
| Channel Islands and Isle of Man | late January to late February | mid April to late April | mid July to late August |
Growing notes
Grow at least two plants: tomatillos are not self-pollinating, so a single plant sets no fruit. Garden Organic members averaged 0.6kg per plant with harvests starting around 21 August, and found the sprawling plants needed staking or generous space.
At a glance
- Spacing
- 75 cm between plants
- Row spacing
- 90 cm
- Plants per m²
- 2
- Days to maturity
- 140 days
- Yield per plant
- 0.6 kg
- Sun
- Full
- Frost tender
- Yes
- Grows in a container
- Yes, 30 litres or more
- Minimum soil depth
- 30 cm
- Balcony rating
- 3 out of 5
What usually goes wrong
- slugs
- glasshouse red spider mite
- oedema on young plants
Companion planting
Grows well near
Keep away from
Related guides
Timings cross-checked against RHS guidance for tomatillo.