When to Plant Tomatillo in Ballinger, Texas (76821)

Location

Ballinger, Texas

ZIP Code

76821

USDA Zone

Last Frost

Friday, March 20, 2026

📅 Your 2026 Planting Dates

Start Seeds Indoors

Friday, February 6, 2026

Transplant Outdoors

Friday, April 3, 2026

Based on last frost Friday, March 20, 2026 · Zone 8a

Pro tip: Start Tomatillo seeds indoors 6 weeks before your last frost date, then transplant outdoors around Friday, April 3, 2026.

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🌿 Plant Details

Scientific Name Physalis philadelphica

Days to Maturity 75 days

Mature Height 36-60"

Spread 24"

☀️ Growing Requirements

☀️

Sun

Full Sun (6-8 hours)

💧

Water

Regular (1-2 inches/week)

↔️

Spacing

24" apart

🌱

Planting Depth

0.25" deep

Seeds typically germinate in 7-14 days

Ready to Plant Tomatillo in Ballinger?

Get your seeds now so they're ready by Friday, February 6, 2026.

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🤝 Good Companions

BasilCarrotMarigoldPepper

⚠️ Avoid Planting Near

FennelBrassicas

🤝

Full Companion Planting Guide for Tomatillo

See which plants help Tomatillo thrive, which to keep away, and raised bed layout tips →

🛠️ Supplies You'll Need

🌱 Seed Starting Trays 🪴 Seed Starting Mix 💡 Grow Lights 🌡️ Heat Mat 🪵 Raised Garden Bed 🌍 Vegetable Garden Soil 🛠️ Hand Trowel Set 🚿 Watering Can

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🌾 Seed Saving Guide

🟢 Easy

✅ Open-pollinated — seeds grow true to parent

When to Harvest Seed

Let tomatillos stay on the plant until the husk turns tan and papery and the fruit dries inside.

Processing

Squash dried fruit to release seeds, spread on a screen to dry for 1–2 weeks.

Seed Viability

Up to 4 years when stored cool, dark, and dry.

Pro Tip

Tomatillos need at least 2 plants for cross-pollination and fruit set. Isolate by 300 feet from other varieties.

🪴

Raised Bed Planting Guides

A 4×8 bed fits 8 plants of Tomatillo. See plant counts, spacing grids, and companion pairings for every bed size →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Tomatillo in Ballinger, Texas? +

In Ballinger (Zone 8a), start Tomatillo seeds indoors around Friday, February 6, 2026 and transplant outdoors around Friday, April 3, 2026.

What is the last frost date for Ballinger, Texas? +

The average last spring frost date for Ballinger, Texas (ZIP 76821) is around Friday, March 20, 2026. This is based on NOAA climate normals for USDA Zone 8a.

How long does Tomatillo take to grow? +

Tomatillo typically matures in about 75 days from transplanting. In Ballinger, that means you can expect harvest around Friday, April 3, 2026 plus 75 days.

Should I start Tomatillo indoors or direct sow in Texas? +

Tomatillo should be started indoors 6 weeks before your last frost date. In Ballinger, that means starting around Friday, February 6, 2026.

📚 More Tomatillo Planting Guides

🗺️

Tomatillo in Texas

Zone-by-zone breakdown · Full state guide

→ 🌡️

Zone 8a Tomatillo Guide

All cities in your zone · Avg dates

→

Other Plants for Ballinger

Blackberry Blueberry Raspberry Strawberry Basil Chamomile Chives Cilantro Dill Lavender Lemon Balm Marjoram Mint Oregano Parsley Rosemary Sage Tarragon Thyme Acorn Squash Artichoke Arugula Asparagus Beefsteak Tomato Beet Bell Pepper Bok Choy Broccoli Brussels Sprout Butternut Squash Cabbage Cantaloupe Carrot Cauliflower Cayenne Pepper Celery Cherry Tomato Chili Pepper Collard Green Common Bean Cucumber Eggplant Endive Fennel Garlic Grape Tomato Green Bean Habanero Pepper Head Lettuce Heirloom Tomato Honeydew Melon Jalapeño Pepper Kale Kohlrabi Leaf Lettuce Leek Lima Bean Mustard Okra Onion Parsnip Pea Poblano Pepper Pole Pea Potato Pumpkin Radicchio Radish Rhubarb Roma Tomato Rutabaga Serrano Pepper Shallot Snap Pea Snow Pea Spaghetti Squash Spinach Squash Sweet Corn Sweet Potato Swiss Chard Tomato Turnip Watermelon Zucchini Sunflower Marigold Zinnia Nasturtium Cosmos Echinacea (Coneflower) Petunia Black-eyed Susan Apple Tree Pear Tree Peach Tree Plum Tree Sweet Cherry Tree Lemon Tree Borage Lemongrass Ginger Stevia Edamame Fava Bean Mâche Mizuna Sorrel Shishito Pepper Banana Pepper Watermelon Radish Napa Cabbage Popcorn Broccoli Raab Catnip Valerian Lemon Verbena Bee Balm Anise Lovage Chervil Summer Savory Dahlia Snapdragon Pansy Sweet Pea Morning Glory Hollyhock Larkspur Bachelor Button Columbine Impatiens Salvia (Annual) Sweet Alyssum Celosia Lupine Verbena Elderberry Grape Vine Red Currant Gooseberry Serviceberry Fig Tree Avocado Tree Persimmon Tree Olive Tree

Growing Tomatillo in Zone 8a

Tomatillo (Physalis philadelphica) is a popular garden vegetable. In Ballinger, Texas, which is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a, you should start seeds indoors around Friday, February 6, 2026.

Your average last frost date is Friday, March 20, 2026. Plan to transplant your Tomatillo seedlings outdoors around Friday, April 3, 2026, about 2 weeks after your last frost date.