Grande Rio Verde Tomatillo

Grande Rio Verde Tomatillo is a staple in Mexican cuisine, bearing large 2-3-inch round, green fruits caped in papery green husks. Known for their tangy, bright, slightly sweet flavor, these tomatillos are perfect for making fresh salsa verde, sauces, and jams, or adding a burst of flavor to a variety of dishes. Tomatillos thrive in heat and high temperatures to grow as easily as peppers or tomatoes. Grande Rio Verde grows 3-4-feet tall and hearty, with abundant yields of bright green fruits that are larger than typical tomatillos, making them easier to harvest and work with. They are highly productive, often offering an impressive crop per plant, and their hardy nature ensures that they thrive in a variety of climates. The plants are also resistant to many common pests and diseases, ensuring a healthy and plentiful harvest throughout the growing season. With its rich flavor and versatility in the kitchen, Grande Rio Verde Tomatillo is a must-have for gardeners looking to elevate their culinary creations with homegrown ingredients. Indeterminate.

Also Known As: Mexican Husk Tomato, Green Mexican Ground Cherry, Cape Gooseberry, Mayan Husk Tomato, Rendidora.

Plant Name:	Tomatatillo, Grande Rio Verde
Latin Name:	Physalis philadelphica, Physalis ixocarpa
Days to Germinate:	7-14
Days to Harvest:	70
Plant Height:	4 - 6 Feet
Spread:	4 - 6 Feet
Growth Habit:	Vining, Indeterminate
USDA Zones:	5-12
Lifespan:	Annual
Brand:	TomorrowSeeds
Sunlight:	Full Sun, Partial Shade
Pollination:	Heirloom, Open-Pollinated
GMO:	No
Fungicide-Treated Seeds*:	No
Seeds Packed For**:	2025

*Fungicide-treated seeds protect the seedlings from diseases until they are up and growing. Do not eat treated seeds.
**Seeds are freshly packed for the growing season of the year listed. Seeds are still viable beyond pack date. Store in a cool and dry location such as the refrigerator or basement to best preserve germination rates.

Planting Instructions:

Soil Preparation:

Choose an area with heavy, well-draining soil that receives at least 6 hours of sunlight each day. Remove weeds, large rocks, and litter from the planting area. Leave small weeds and dead grass, they will enrich the soil when turned under. Spade or till the soil 8-12 inches deep. Loosening the soil will help the plant establish strong roots.

Plants grow best in soil with lots of organic matter. You may optionally add fertilizer or organic material such as compost, leaves, or rotted hay to mix into the soil at this point. For small gardens, scatter 2-3 tablespoons of a complete fertilizer evenly and work into the top 2-3 inches of soil for each hill or 2 foot by 2 foot planting area. For larger gardens, scatter 2-3 pounds of a complete fertilizer for each 100 square feet of planting area. Work fertilizer or organic material into the soil and leave the surface smooth.

Form rows of soil beds 4-6 inches high and at least 3 feet apart. This formation of ridges will help with drainage.

Planting:

Tomatillos grow best in warm weather (65F-90F).

Starting Indoors: For an earlier harvest, you may optionally start planting indoors in containers 6-8 weeks before the last expected frost date in Spring, keeping seedlings at least 70F. Harden off then transplant seedlings outdoors in a sunny location when seedlings are 6-8 inches tall and the soil temperature is above 65F. To transplant seedlings, prepare a transplant hole outdoors in a sunny location. Remove the plants carefully from the pots or flats and set them in the holes, burying two-thirds of the stem in the ground. Pack the soil loosely around the plant and leave a slightly sunken area around each plant to hold water. Water the plants after transplanting. Install a sturdy support system, such as a cage, trellis, or 6-foot stake, ensuring it is deep enough in the soil to remain stable as the plant grows.

Directly Sowing: If directly sowing Tomatillos outdoors, plant after all danger of frost has passed in spring and soil temperatures reach at least 65F. For Fall tomatillos, transplant tomatillos about 100 days before the first expected frost.

To plant, make holes 1/2 inch deep and spaced 2 feet apart down the rows of raised beds. Plant 2-3 seeds per hole. If choosing to thin to the strongest plant, determine the strongest and healthiest plant, then remove all other plants, narrowing to a single plant per hole. Cover seeds thinly with soil and water after planting. Install a sturdy support system, such as a cage, trellis, or stake, ensuring it is deep enough in the soil to remain stable as the plant grows. If using cages, place 1 over each plant. For a trellis, secure a strong frame with horizontal or vertical supports, tying the vines as they grow. For staking, drive a sturdy 6-8 foot stake 10-12 inches into the ground, 2-3 inches from each plant, and secure the main stem using soft ties or twine, looping loosely to allow growth.

Planting Depth:	1/2 inch
Within-Row Spacing:	2 feet
Between-Row Spacing:	3 feet

Care During the Season:

Watering: Water the plants deeply, soaking the soil to a depth of 6-8 inches, once to twice a week. If there is no rainfall, water 3-4 times a week. Sandy soils may need to be watered more often than heavy clay soils. Mulching around plants can help retain moisture.

Weeding: Keeping plants weed-free improves production. If plowing or hoeing, do not dig deeper than 1 inch to prevent from cutting the feeder roots.

Fertilizing: Once seedlings are established and are about 6-12 inches tall, you may optionally apply a fertilizer rich in phosphorus and potassium and lower in nitrogen every 2-3 weeks throughout the growing season, without letting the fertilizer touch the plants. Water plants after fertilizing.

Insecticides: Insecticides may be used to protect plants. Bt-based insecticides and sulfur are organic options that can be used for prevention. Sulfur also has fungicidal properties and helps in controlling many diseases. Before using a pesticide, read the label and follow cautions, warnings and directions.

Diseases: If spots or mold appear, treat plants with an approved fungicide. Neem oil, sulfur, and other fungicides may be used. When using fungicides always follow label directions.

Harvesting:

Tomatillos are ready to be harvested when the fruits fill out their papery husks and the husks begin to dry and split open. Tomatillo plants begin bearing fruit 65-85 days after seeding and continue for 1-2 months or until the first frost. For best quality, pick fruits just as the husk, or calyx, bursts. If left on the plant too long, the flavor and quality may suffer. To harvest, gently twist the fruit from the stem or use pruning shears to clip them off, being careful not to damage the plant. If harvesting large quantities, you may leave cartons full of the picked fruits in the fields for 2 weeks to allow the husks to dry.