Tomatillos

[Loubear]

Is it too early to plant out tomatillos? I had some I a plastic cold frame outside but they got mown down by snails. :-( luckily I also have some indoors which are growing well and starting to flower - I'm guessing they need to be outside to pollinate, but will they survive in my raised beds? I live in Brighton and I think it's unlikely that we'll get frost again this year.


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[poly]

They do need insects to pollinate the flowers and you need at least two plants flowering at the same time as they are incompatible with their own pollen. It's a bit early for planting out. But if you can't wait any longer, they will need to be hardened off before planting out and will benefit from some protection. A cloche or a fleece tent should help. If your tomatillo plants are getting mown by snails/slugs in your cold frame, snails may well do the same to the ones you plant out in your raised bed, some form of protection will be needed.

[HavercroftHomegrowns]

Can they not self pollinate? I'm sure my mum had one given last year that gave loads of fruit, maybe it had been pollinated before she got it

[Alison]

I think that they will self pollinate but will do a lot better if you have 2 or more. If they're nice and cosy in side then start putting them out in the day to harden them off. Would have thought that after doing that for a couple of weeks you'll be fine to plant them out down there.

PS - mine are still on the kitchen window ledge and will be staying there for a little while but I'm a lot further north than you.

[ancee]

Loubear - I planted a load out yesterday. They were getting too big for their pots and flopping about. I've put empty coke bottles (other beverages are available!) over the top of them as little poly tunnels and they look ok so far. I have a row of planted bottles, goodness knows what the neighbours think!

[KevinM67]

Tomatillos - I'm intrigued,.never heard of them.

I don't want to go straight to Google - can I try and guess?

They sound as if they are some sort of hybrid - with tomato and.... (??? can't get armadillo out if my head)

Am I on the right track or way off??

[HavercroftHomegrowns]

Hard to explain really, they are like green tomatoes with a sweet citrusy taste if I remember correctly, they are used to make salsa verde