Tips for Growing Tomatillos - What I learned growing them for the first time

[@cyndydesjardins352]

I also grew them for the first time this year on a whim. I didn’t know you needed at least 2 so I just bought one starter from the garden centre. I did some research only after I’d had the plant for about a month, and found someone who said she pollinated hers by hand even though she had more than 2 just to guarantee that she’d get fruit. So I started pollinating my single plant by hand, and now I have tons of tomatillos on it! So, you don’t in fact need more than 2 plants, you just need to pollinate by hand if you’ve got only the one. 👍

[@pnwfarmandgarden]

That's great information about only needing one plant! I hope your harvest is great.

[@RBlackPhotography]

Great video! I’ve noticed there really isn’t much information out there on how to prune (or just CONTROL) them. I grew them for the first tie last year, too, and had a similar experience to you-I grew two from seed, transplanted them into the garden and they were lovely, well-behaved plants. For like the first month. Then I woke up one morning and discovered I had two psychotic octopi in my garden-these plants are wild! But I loved having fresh tomatillos, so I’m growing two more this year, but this time I’m espaliering them. Strapping those bad boys to the fence. LOL

[@pnwfarmandgarden]

I think strapping them to a fence is the way to go!!

[@arbancitom2572]

Thanks for your video. I’ve been growing them for years on Vancouver Island. As they begin to get bushy, I prune them, cutting off most secondary shoots. In mid-September I cut off all blossoms. And keep at it. I harvest weekly. My fruit is 2”+ in diameter. If you let fruit ripen and fall to the ground, you will have plants forever!

[@gracecanon2872]

I had the same experience w my tomatillos. I used fencing around them to hold them up. I had orange striped black beetles invade them that left larvae that really munched on them.

[@pnwfarmandgarden]

The fencing is a great idea! I'm hoping to try that this year. Those beetles sound rough! Did they eat any other of your plants?

[@JessicaHolmes]

Your plants were outrageous! So gorgeous!! 😍 your salsa looked amazing, as well. So exciting to harvest & enjoy the literal fruits of our labor. Mahalo for sharing this video!

[@pnwfarmandgarden]

I'm glad you enjoyed it! I am going to do a tomatillo planting video soon, I am giving them much more space and trellising this year!

[@debbiep99]

Great advice! Other videos did not provide this information. Can you prune them I wonder to manage them better.

[@pnwfarmandgarden]

Hi Liz, I'm glad it helped! You could certainly prune them to control their size and it would likely result in larger fruits too. I hope you grow them this year, they are worth it!

[@keltoid5]

Trying them for the first time in 7b Arizona! Great video!! No fluff, just this is what I and how I did it 👍👍 Best I've seen yet for Tomatillos 😁

[@pnwfarmandgarden]

Thank you!!

[@kathleenray1827]

Do the tomatillos have to be different varieties for pollination or can it be the same variety for both plants?

[@pnwfarmandgarden]

Both plants can be the same variety!

[@jtharp9265]

Great video thank you , I grew my 1st transplants this year , with the prices of transplants and Food now , I researched you needed 2 plants , So grateful you showed how much room they need as planting them today Here in Montgomery County, Texas 🙏🏻 Thank you and God bless you Josette Tharp

[@pnwfarmandgarden]

Happy growing Josette!

[@VLXMario]

Awesome. Im going to try and grow tomatillos one of these seasons. I love the salsa

[@pnwfarmandgarden]

They are so easy, you wont be dissapointed!

[@amareevalenz]

Thank you!! I'm just starting them indoors, as winter's starting here! My mom's neighbor gave me some small ones from mexico. They will be transplanted in ground...I'm excited

[@pnwfarmandgarden]

How are your tomatillos growing?

[@eddiaz8594]

Yo that was a good video very informative

[@pnwfarmandgarden]

Glad you liked it!

[@bruhmiroruelas5324]

You have my dream garden it looks great!

[@pnwfarmandgarden]

That's kind of you to say. What do you like to grow?

[@vickirickman9373]

Thank you so much For the helpful video Had a QUESTION……. My leaves are getting a little bit yellow. What would you suggest they need?? ( i did liquid fertilizer yesterday) we have had quite a bit of rain. I’m growing 2 plants in a huge container. Anything else You would recommend??? Also couldn’t quite tell what you put in your salsa ? Thank you again for video ( there’s not many videos on tomatillos) So any extra advice you can give me I would greatly appreciate

[@StarrThomason]

Great video! Most others on tomatillos don’t share so much. I didn’t have much luck last year but I hope I do this year! Thanks!

[@pnwfarmandgarden]

I'm glad I could help, best of luck with your tomatillos this year!

[@1mdadrian]

Trying these this here. I appreciate your video with so much helpful information.

[@pnwfarmandgarden]

How did your tomatillos do last year?

[@ishaa5948]

Thanks for the advice. Sometimes I forget about the pollinating process.🙏

[@pnwfarmandgarden]

You bet! Happy growing :)

[@angeladuhe8981]

Thanks for the advice about them fallen on the ground 😂😂I had no idea that meant ripen fruit-😂I had five to six of them to fall😮and I thought they were dehydrated or rotting-O gosh,I just fed the ground and all of its associates… And then added fertilizer I hope they make it!!!

[@libbyaspen920]

Thank you!! I am adding tomatillos this year for the first time in Puyallup. I am hoping to have as great of success as you!

[@pnwfarmandgarden]

Hi Libby! I think tomatillos love it in our area, I bet yours will do great! I love the Puyallup area ❤

[@thatgardeningrealtor]

Great video! Thanks

[@pnwfarmandgarden]

You're welcome, happy growing!

[@ronniebrace2917]

Great advice, thanks for sharing

[@pnwfarmandgarden]

You're welcome Ronnie! I can't wait to grow more this year. Have you grown tomatillos before?

[@ronniebrace2917]

@@pnwfarmandgarden This will be my first year. I had no idea they needed so much space. I was going to put them in a hanging basket, lol. So glad I found your video, thanks. You saved me from myself lol.

[@pnwfarmandgarden]

@@ronniebrace2917 they would work in larger (5 gallon sized) pots, or a gigantic hanging basket!

[@jocrain83]

I just learned that they aren’t self pollinators and I need to grow more than 1. I guess lucky for beginner me, I accidentally planted 2 in one 🥴 Hoping they will make it 🙏🏻

[@pnwfarmandgarden]

Woo, hoo, you got lucky! How did they turn out?

[@blaccsilverstaff5484]

Love that you let hubby eat first 😎

[@pnwfarmandgarden]

It was my special gift to him! He loves salsa on his eggs everyday, so I wanted to make sure he liked it!

[@isabellerininger6249]

1. Husk must be dry 2. The fruit pops it open and it splits because it’s larger than the paper. 3. They are on the ground-if you have to pluck them off the plant they aren’t ready. If they come off with a slight touch, that’s ok too.

[@chompers11]

Mine seem to be dropping flowers, any ideas? Also would you feed them and what do they like

[@pnwfarmandgarden]

What is the temperature where you are at right now? How many plants do you have?

[@chompers11]

@@pnwfarmandgarden I live near shelton, just by you lol and I have 3

[@pnwfarmandgarden]

I used to visit friends in Shelton when I was a kid! Were the blossoms dried up, or were they just developing when they fall off?

[@chompers11]

@@pnwfarmandgarden I think dried up although some seem kinda wet almost

[@Liz-bn8fw]

I have 3 varieties this year because I wanted a bumper crop. Great plants, hand pollinating, have many little pods but they fall off when the fruit is about the size of a pea. Have never had this problem. Also something is eating the leaves--very tiny holes all over them but I can't see anything. Used sevin but doesn't seem to help. Any suggestions??

[@pnwfarmandgarden]

I'm sorry that I never replied with suggestions. How did they end up doing? The flowers dropping sounds like a pollination problem, but it also sounds like you did everything proper (multiple plants and even hand pollinating!) to prevent that as well. Did you find the bug? Maybe grasshoppers?

[@lisdecorn2602]

Awesome loved the ending definitely subscribing😊

[@pnwfarmandgarden]

Thanks!!

[@reanuqueeves5510]

Great video, Allison

[@pnwfarmandgarden]

Thank you!!

[@SparksandBubbles]

That's going to be useful..... I got plenty of these baby plants started from seed I will be putting inground soon. I was surprised on how big they get !!!!! What zone are you in ?

[@pnwfarmandgarden]

Hi! I'm excited for you to have your tomatillos started, I started mine late and they are behind this year! I think they will catch up, but I wont lie I'm already prepared to go buy starts if necessary! We live in zone 8b and *hopefully* just had our last frost yesterday. However, our daytime temps are still pretty low so I wont be planting out any of my heat loving crops until May. What zone are you in?

[@permanentlygubbed]

Omg I planted some and have 4 plants. I didn't realise they got so big.... 😱

[@pnwfarmandgarden]

Let them go wild!!! You can always prune off parts if they are getting to big for their space. You'll love them!

[@permanentlygubbed]

@@pnwfarmandgarden I'm in Scotland so no idea if they will grow

[@pnwfarmandgarden]

@@permanentlygubbed how well do tomatoes grow in your area? For me they seem to do better in our wet and mild summers than tomatoes do.

[@permanentlygubbed]

@@pnwfarmandgarden tomatoes do very well here. I have indoor and outdoor varieties and a greenhouse. I thought tomatillo would be quite exotic here and Scotland isn't the warmest place in the world. 😂.

[@esthew76]

Thank you for this! Very informative, will be quite helpful. I'm planning to stake or trellis mine, or maybe florida weave? Idk yet, they're still little!

[@pnwfarmandgarden]

I was going to do the Florida weave with mine this year, but my planting plan changed. I think it would work great!

[@tigerlily6763]

Good video… ty

[@pnwfarmandgarden]

Thank you too!

[@OurSoVaLife]

Thanks for sharing this info

[@pnwfarmandgarden]

You bet! Good luck with your tomatillos!

[@itmaslanka]

My experience also! It took over half of my 4x8 raised bed and is robbing light from everyone !

[@pnwfarmandgarden]

That's great thwy are doing so well!! Don't be afraid to prune them :)

[@itmaslanka]

@@pnwfarmandgarden I just found out that the reason these flowers aren’t developing is because I only have one plants ! Chopping her down today !😢

[@pnwfarmandgarden]

@@itmaslanka oh no! Well, at least you know now and can have space to grow something else after you chop it down. What do you think you will plant next?

[@itmaslanka]

@@pnwfarmandgarden Some basil and som pollinators ! That the main reason . I saw my first monarch yesterday and 3 Tikal for the year and it’s mid summer !?! Just a few fireflies. There is a definite reduction in insects outside Philly and nobody is talking about it!?!

[@pnwfarmandgarden]

@@itmaslanka More plants for pollinators sounds perfect! Have fun picking them out 🎉

[@lisacampbell5283]

First time planting tomatillos they have no husk growing great loaded but no husk ?

[@pnwfarmandgarden]

Hi Lisa! When you say loaded do you mean with flowers or fruits?

[@tristankevlar9480]

Love your tomatillos and garden set up..What about deer and your tomatillos. I know deer will eat anything when hungry. They arent suppose to eat tomatoes, however they love to chomp down my tomato plants. Did you have any deer encounters? This is the first year for me and the tomatillo..looking forward to some pineapple tomatillos sweetness in Hot salas. Be well.

[@pnwfarmandgarden]

Hi Tristan! We are lucky enough to not have any deer in our neighborhood. I would have to level up my fencing game if we did! Those pineapple tomatillos sound delicious!

[@tristankevlar9480]

@@pnwfarmandgarden Thanks for the responce..Glad to hear you dont get them in your garden..I was just hoping they were deer proof..but alas, our deer will almost come up to you and eat from your hand. (babies will).. Again thank you for your reply and its a deer fence..better safe than sorry. Happy Harvests.

[@blaccsilverstaff5484]

Pineapple tomatillo sound 😋

[@smb123211]

I have numerous plants but few give any fruit. NOTE: These plants proliferate like crazy. I had over 100 plants just "spring up". I'm trying shade, pruning, full sun, extra water, etc to get a good combination.

[@pnwfarmandgarden]

You are so correct about the volunteers! I hope the shade and extra care helps with the fruiting. How hot do your summers get?

[@smb123211]

@@pnwfarmandgarden Middle TN We've had a cool winter, spring and summer but it still gets in the 90s. Three days ago I went on a pruning mission, really cutting back to enhance growth. Just waiting

[@dianerodriguez6546]

I only have one tomatillo plant growing in a large pot and my neighbor has 5 in her yard which is right next door and my question is what is the furthest my tomatillo plant be from her’s and still have a chance of getting pollination? Any one can answer my question.

[@pnwfarmandgarden]

Hi Diane, Sorry that I missed your question!! Tomatillos are pollinated by bees, so I suppose there is a chance! You may just not get very many fruits. Do you have any fruits so far?

[@dustyschwartz1576]

Does anyone know if planting them deep like a 🍅 will help or hurt them?

[@pnwfarmandgarden]

Great question! I wonder this about lots of plants. I have planted them deep like I do with my tomatoes without any problems.

[@timothyduenas2910]

Pretty good bub

[@pnwfarmandgarden]

Thanks!

[@wildiris229]

why does horrible SUPER LOUD music randomly start blasting at 5:28? :( can that not be a thing? I was really enjoying this video before my ears exploded with completely unnecessary music

[@pnwfarmandgarden]

Thank you for the feedback, for some reason the volume on the music is always hard for me to judge! I will see if I can adjust and re-upload it.

[@altlaina2643]

Haha... did that seed packet say container variety? 😂

[@pnwfarmandgarden]

It did!! I suppose if you had a big tomato cage it could work!

[@oldfarmshow]

❤️👍

[@Not_So_Weird_in_Austin]

I have 2 sets of two plants lots of flowers no fruit...

[@pnwfarmandgarden]

Hopefully they will start fruiting soon! What are your daytime temps like right now?

[@Kdl-mh9vh]

Idk if u did but... salt and chicken bullion is needed for it as well

[@pnwfarmandgarden]

yum! I have always been a low to no salter when I cook, but now I am trying to add it in more! It brings out those falvors!

[@christined4452]

we think alike

[@pnwfarmandgarden]

Nice!!! I wish you a fabulous 2023 growing season!

[@donnatierney2078]

I grow mine against fence and flop them over..so they can just keep going...but thats just me ...all I do is over the top..I have to out do everyone.in every thing....I make the best sauca... Trial and air

[@pnwfarmandgarden]

Great idea with the fence, I will try that this year!

[@blaccsilverstaff5484]

😂

[@dawnkettenbauer3242]

lol- the package says 18" pot variety-

[@pnwfarmandgarden]

It must have been some good soil!!

[@RayHowle-jb1bi]

Go to Mexico to live

[@gardencookeat22]

Enchilada sauce is made from dried peppers not tomatillos.

[@pnwfarmandgarden]

That sounds tasty too! What is your favorite peppers to use for enchilada sauce?

[@gardencookeat22]

Guajillo or ancho. But any red pepper. Or short cut I use Gebhart chili powder. Ssshhh dont tell my kids.

[@timothyduenas2910]

@@pnwfarmandgarden he's lying

[@timothyduenas2910]

Green enchilada sauce is made with tomatillos and peppers

[@pnwfarmandgarden]

@@timothyduenas2910 Hello! I made my recipe with tomatillos and peppers, but I'm not surprised by a recipe that is just peppers!