Name: Tomatillo 'Verdelino'
Brand: Le potager ornemental de Catherine
SKU: POC-SEMENCES
Price: 4.19 CAD
Availability: OutOfStock

Sale Sold out

Open-pollinated seeds Solanaceae

vegetable garden plant

Le potager ornemental de Catherine

Physalis ixocarpa

From seed to harvest

Open-pollinated

Common nameTomatillo

FamilySolanaceae

GenusPhysalis

Speciesixocarpa

CultivarVerdelino

TypeOpen-pollinated seeds

Botanical namePhysalis ixocarpa

Reproducible seedsYes

Quantity per packet±80 seeds

Tomatillo 'Verdelino' belongs to Physalis ixocarpa. Green tomatillo, turning greenish yellow when fully ripe. 3 to 6 cm (1.2 to 2.4 in) in diameter. A plant growing 80 cm (31.5 in) tall and 60 cm (23.6 in) wide. Needs support. Very early; harvesting starts more than 6 weeks before the Toma Verde and Gigante verde varieties. The variety originates from England. The stated maturity period is 60 days. These characteristics help you choose its position in the garden and compare this selection with other cultivars in the same group.

Choose a location in full sun with soil that is rich and drains well after watering. Start seeds indoors 8 to 10 weeks before the last frost. Warmth is needed for germination, approximately 30 °C (86 °F). Sow the seeds at a depth of 6 mm (0.2 in). Leave 50 cm (19.7 in) between plants. In Quebec, wait for the soil and nights to warm before planting out; the last frost date varies by location. Gradually get the plants started indoors accustomed to outdoor wind and direct sunlight before you plant them out in the garden.

Tomatillos are harvested by observing both the fruit itself and the husk that surrounds it. The stage and colour must match the cultivar, without confusing them with those of a conventional tomato. Remove the husk before rinsing and preparing the fruits. Their flavour is suitable for sauces and for culinary preparations in which a tangy note is desired. Allow enough space to reach the branches and harvest without breaking them. Label plants from sowing to distinguish the varieties in a mix and follow their development until cold nights arrive, adapting the harvest to garden conditions. Keep these vegetable seeds dry until the next sowing.

Light and life cycle

In the garden

Exposure: Full sun
Life cycle: Annual

Sowing and germination

Sowing guide

Sowing & germination

Sowing depth

6 mm (0.24 in)

Spacing / density

50 cm (19.7 in)

Germination temperature

30°C (86°F)

Sowing period

Start seeds indoors 8 to 10 weeks before the last frost.

Propagation

Seed sowing

Growing method

Full sun and rich, well-drained soil. Start indoors 8 to 10 weeks before the last frost. Warmth is needed for germination, approximately 30 °C (86 °F). 6 mm (0.24 in) deep. Leave a spacing of 50 cm (19.7 in) between the plants. When planning to grow this tomatillo selection from seed in Quebec, base your sowing schedule on conditions in your garden rather than a single date for all of Canada. Start seeds in clean seed-starting mix and provide sufficient light as soon as they emerge. A long, leaning stem often indicates insufficient light. Transplant the young seedlings carefully once they are large enough for you to handle, taking care not to compress the stem between your fingers. Before planting outdoors, gradually expose young tomatillos to wind and sun. In Quebec, wait until frost risk has passed and the soil has warmed; the date varies between regions. Grow several tomatillo plants together to encourage good pollination. Choose rich, well-drained soil in full sun, then install a cage or support before the stems spread out. Leave room to move around the plants and reach the fruits inside their husks.

Soil and care

Soil & care

Moisture

Even moisture without saturation

Watering

Water the tomatillo's root zone regularly, rather than wetting only the surface or waiting for severe wilting. Check the soil after rainfall to adjust watering. Sudden changes from dry conditions to watering can reduce the quality of the fruit, even when the cultivar is described as being less susceptible to fruit cracking. Mulch applied after the soil has warmed reduces evaporation.

Soil type

Full sun and rich, well-drained soil. Tomatillo benefits from fertile, well-drained soil. Prepare the location for the group of plants before setting up cages or supports, then keep access to the soil for watering without stepping on the roots. Check drainage after heavy rain. Soil that has been enriched must not become a waterlogged mixture; adjust the amendments to its actual fertility and let the roots explore an area that does not remain constantly saturated.

Fertilization

Prepare the soil with well-rotted organic matter, then adjust fertilization to its actual fertility. The tomatillo plant must support both its foliage and its fruits, but an excess of nitrogen may encourage the production of stems and leaves at the expense of setting fruit. A soil test helps avoid unnecessary additions. When growing in containers, take account of the nutrients that the potting mix already contains and follow the directions on the fertilizer label; simply increasing the dose does not guarantee a more abundant harvest.

Seasonal care

Full sun and rich, well-drained soil. Start indoors 8 to 10 weeks before the last frost. Warmth is needed for germination, approximately 30 °C (86 °F). Sow the seeds at a depth of 6 mm (0.24 in). 50 cm (19.7 in) between plants. When planning to grow this tomatillo selection from seed in Quebec, base your sowing schedule on conditions in your garden rather than a single date for all of Canada. Start seeds in clean seed-starting mix and provide sufficient light as soon as they emerge. A long, leaning stem often indicates insufficient light. Transplant carefully once seedlings are large enough to handle, avoiding squeezing the stem between your fingers. Before planting outdoors, gradually expose young tomatillos to wind and sun. In Quebec, wait until frost risk has passed and the soil has warmed; the date varies between regions. Water the tomatillo's root zone regularly, rather than wetting only the surface or waiting for severe wilting. Check the soil after rainfall to adjust watering. Sudden changes from dry conditions to watering can reduce the quality of the fruit, even when the cultivar is described as being less susceptible to fruit cracking. Mulch applied after the soil has warmed reduces evaporation. Avoid spraying the leaves unnecessarily, and ensure that water can drain away when growing in a pot.

Growth and harvest

Size, flowering & harvest

Mature height

80 cm (31.5 in)

Width / spread

60 cm (23.6 in)

Growth habit

Branched; provide support

Edible parts

Fruit at the indicated stage of ripeness, with the husk removed

Bloom period

The flowers of the tomatillo appear before the fruits form inside their surrounding husks. Several nearby plants encourage pollination and must have equal access to sunlight. Maintain healthy foliage and regular watering during this period. The appearance of flowers alone does not provide a harvest date: afterwards, observe the filling of the husks and the colour that is specific to the cultivar.

Days to maturity

60 days

Harvest

Watch how well the tomatillo fills its husk and check for the colour specified for the cultivar. Pick the fruit at the stage described, without tearing off a branch bearing other husks. Remove the husk before preparation and wash the fruit. Also collect fallen or overlooked fruit: the supplier notes that some tomatillos self-seed readily. Green, yellow or purple colouring depends on the variety and cannot be judged solely by the criteria for a red tomato.

Garden companions

Garden associations

Companion plants & uses

Companion plants

When planting beside Tomatillo 'Verdelino', favour plants whose eventual height will not block the light needed for this crop to grow. Keep the root zone and access routes clear: space and water requirements matter more than a simple list of companion plants. Simply placing plants close together does not provide proven protection against plant diseases or insect pests. Arrange rows or clumps so that you can water, check leaves and remove a damaged plant without harming its neighbours. These tomatillo seeds fit a garden project chosen for the growth habit and uses of Tomatillo 'Verdelino'.

Garden use

Tomatillo 'Verdelino': A green tomatillo that turns yellow-green when fully ripe. 3 to 6 cm (1.2 to 2.4 in) in diameter. The plant is 80 cm (31.5 in) tall and 60 cm (23.6 in) wide. Provide support. These tomatillo seeds fit a garden project chosen for the growth habit and uses of Tomatillo 'Verdelino'. Arrange the row according to the tomatillo's actual growth habit and how you want to harvest. Small fruit is easier to spot beside an accessible path, while large tomatillos need support to keep clusters off the ground. Position the plants in a way that allows you to reach their base when watering and to see the fruits that may be hidden beneath the foliage. Keep cultivars identified when several ripe colours occur together: the desired harvest colour varies from one plant to another. Grow several tomatillo plants together to encourage good pollination. Choose a growing site in full sun with soil that is rich and drains well, then install a cage or other support before the stems begin to spread out. Leave room to move around the plants and reach the fruits inside their husks.

Frequently asked questions

What distinguishes Tomatillo 'Verdelino'?

Tomatillo 'Verdelino': A green tomatillo that turns yellow-green when fully ripe. 3 to 6 cm (1.2 to 2.4 in) in diameter. The plant is 80 cm (31.5 in) tall and 60 cm (23.6 in) wide. Provide support. Use the harvested tomatillo fruits after removing the husk that encloses each fruit, before preparing them in the kitchen. Its culinary appeal includes salsas and sauces, while its colour depends on the chosen cultivar. Set aside space in the garden for a group of plants rather than a single specimen, since pollination matters for a successful harvest. The stems need support suited to their development.

How do you start Tomatillo 'Verdelino' from seed?

Full sun and rich, well-drained soil. Start indoors 8 to 10 weeks before the last frost. Warmth is needed for germination, approximately 30 °C (86 °F). 6 mm (0.24 in) deep. 50 cm (19.7 in) between plants. When planning to grow this tomatillo selection from seed in Quebec, base your sowing schedule on conditions in your garden rather than a single date for all of Canada. Start the seeds in a clean seed-starting mix, then make sure the young seedlings receive enough light as soon as they begin to emerge. A long, leaning stem often indicates insufficient light.

How should you position Tomatillo 'Verdelino' in the garden?

Tomatillo 'Verdelino': A green tomatillo that turns yellow-green when fully ripe. 3 to 6 cm (1.2 to 2.4 in) in diameter. The plant is 80 cm (31.5 in) tall and 60 cm (23.6 in) wide. Provide support. Grow several tomatillo plants together to encourage good pollination. Choose a growing site in full sun with soil that is rich and drains well, then install a cage or other support before the stems begin to spread out. Leave room to move around the plants and reach the fruits inside their husks. A lone plant can flower without producing the expected harvest.

How do you care for Tomatillo 'Verdelino' during the growing season?

Water the tomatillo's root zone regularly, rather than wetting only the surface or waiting for severe wilting. Check the soil after rainfall to adjust watering. Sudden changes from dry conditions to watering can reduce the quality of the fruit, even when the cultivar is described as being less susceptible to fruit cracking. Mulch applied after the soil has warmed reduces evaporation. Avoid spraying the leaves unnecessarily, and ensure that water can drain away when growing in a pot. Keep the stems of the tomatillo plant within their support as the plant continues to grow. Avoid tight ties that injure branches as they thicken.

What growth stage should you look for in Tomatillo 'Verdelino'?

Watch how well the tomatillo fills its husk and check for the colour specified for the cultivar. Pick the fruit at the stage described, without tearing off a branch bearing other husks. Remove the husk before preparation and wash the fruit. Also collect fallen or overlooked fruit: the supplier notes that some tomatillos self-seed readily. Green, yellow or purple colouring depends on the variety and cannot be judged solely by the criteria for a red tomato. Near the end of Quebec's growing season, watch for cold nights and gather the fruit before a damaging frost. Sort the harvest and keep damaged fruit separate from healthy tomatillos.