Tomatillos (Physalis ixocarpa), are native plants to Mexico and have been around since 800 B.C. They are a member of the nightshade family, along with potatoes, tomatoes, and peppers. Other common names for tomatillos are husk tomatoes, miltomates, Mexican green tomatoes, jamberberries, and strawberry tomatoes.
Tomatillo plants grow to a height of 3 to 4 feet with an equal spread. It is a sprawling plant with heart shaped leaves and yellow flowers. It has an indeterminate habit, so many gardeners will put a cage around them like they do their tomato plants. After the flowers fade, the fruit sets on, making the plant to look as though it has Chinese lanterns hanging from its stems. Inside these papery husks, the fruit is growing and developing. This plant is frost tender, but it will continue to flower, and produce fruit until the frost takes them out.
You must have two or more of these plants growing in your garden or they will not set fruit. My mother usually grew four plants. That gave her plenty of tomatillo fruits to use in her canning recipes and to share with the neighbors.
You can buy tomatillo plants at some garden stores, which are often times expensive. If you want to save some money, why not propagate your own plants from seed. They are easy to grow. Simply sow the seeds indoors in peat pots 6 to 8 weeks before the last expected frost date. It takes 75 to 100 days after transplanting for the tomatillos to be ready for harvesting.
Moisten the Soil
Moisten the potting soil before filling the pots. Pour the potting soil into a bucket or tub and then sprinkle some water over the soil. Mix the soil with your hands to distribute the water evenly. You’ll want to add enough water to make the soil moist, but not soggy.
Fill the Peat Pots
Fill the peat pots with the moistened potting soil six to eight weeks before the last expected frost date in your area. Place one seed in the center of each peat pot. Lightly cover the seeds with a sieved potting soil or vermiculite. Firm the soil with your fingers so the seed coat is in contact with the soil. Mist the soil with water.
Location
Cover the peat pots with a sheet of plastic. This helps retain moisture so the tomatillo seeds will germinate. Place the pots in a warm location that stays between 70° and 80° Fahrenheit. If you have a heat mat, simply set the temperature dial. We often put out pots on top of the refrigerator or freezer. The heat from the coils keeps the soil warm.
Examine the soil daily for moisture. The soil should remain evenly moist, but not soggy. It takes 3 to 10 days for the seeds to germinate.
Remove the plastic when the seeds have germinated and move them to a south-facing window or under grow lights. The temperature should remain around 75° Fahrenheit.
Continue to check the soil and keep it evenly moist. When all danger of frost is past, transplant the tomatillos in your prepared garden about the same time as tomatoes.
