Tomatillos never ripen to red.
The verde tomatillo or tomatillo (Physalis ixocarpa) is also known as the Mexican green tomato, jamberberry and strawberry tomato. It is closely related to the tomato and has similar growing requirements. Grow tomatillos as annual plants and harvest the fruit before the first fall frosts.The ripe fruit, which grows in a papery case, are an essential ingredient of the spicy Mexican sauce salsa verde -- green salsa.
Instructions
1. Sow tomatillo seeds indoors at least six weeks before the last frosts. Plant them 1/4 inch deep in moist potting compost in a seed tray. Keep the pots close to a bright window at a temperature above 61 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Plant out your tomatillo plants once the temperatures have risen above 65 degrees F. Plant in rows at least 30 inches apart, leaving at least 16 inches between plants. Tomatillos are not fussy about soil type, but favor rich, free-draining soils. Enrich the soil prior to planting by digging in up to 2 pounds of balanced fertilizer per 100 square feet.
3. Water your plants once the surface of the soil has dried out, but before the plants start to wilt. Increase the frequency of watering during hot summer periods, aiming to provide 1 to 1 1/2 inches of water per week. Water the plants in the morning and try to avoid wetting the foliage and fruit to prevent rot.
4. Apply a layer of organic mulch such as straw to the soil around your tomatillos to keep in moisture and prevent weed growth.
Tags: above degrees, least inches, plants once
