No lover of authentic Mexican cuisine would be without a steady supply of tomatillos. Fortunately, these green gems with the odd, papery skin are a cinch to grow. As you'd expect from a south-of-the-border plant, they're heat seekers. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Choose a site that gets full sun and has well-drained soil that's not too rich and has a pH that's close to neutral (7.0).
2. Buy tomatillo plants from your local nursery; otherwise, start seeds indoors six to eight weeks before the last expected frost. In warm climates, sow seeds directly into the ground when the soil has warmed and all danger of frost has passed.
3. Harden off seedlings, then move them to the garden when nighttime temperatures are consistently above 50 degrees F. VICKI I'M CONFUSED HERE WITH HARDENING OFF SEEDLINGS AND PLANTS ...
4. Harden off plants, then set them two feet apart if you plan to use tomato cages; three feet if you want to let them sprawl. (The choice is yours: it's simply a matter of space and aesthetics.)
5. Water if rainfall is scarce, and apply a light, organic mulch to retain moisture and retain weeds.
6. Harvest tomatillos when the fruits are firm and husks are papery and straw-colored.. (Usually the husks will break open; if they don't, simply test them with a gentle squeeze.)
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