tomatillo

Tomatillos (Physalis ixocarpa 'Grande Rio Verde') prefer evenly moist soil and should be watered in the morning 2 to 3 times a week, depending on the weather and soil type. During periods of hot, dry weather, this plant may need to be watered more frequently, up to every other day. Make sure to watertomatillos deeply to ensure that the entire root system receives enough moisture. Be sure to avoid overhead watering as this can damage the blooms and fruits.

The tomatillo (Physalis ixocarpa 'Grande Rio Verde') needs full sun, at least 6 hours a day. Enjoying hours of direct sunlight during the peak of the day helps this plant produce sweet, flavorful fruits. It should be planted in an area of the garden where it will get plenty of exposure to the sun, ideally between 8 am and 5 pm daily. Plants grown in areas with partial shade may produce fewer fruit and the fruit may be less sweet. In hot summer climates, some shade during the hottest part of the day between 10 am and 4 pm will help the plant avoid wilting and sunburn.

Tomatillo (Physalis ixocarpa 'Grande Rio Verde') should be pruned once it reaches a height of 12 to 24 inches to encourage the plant to bush out. Pruning the higher shoots of the plant back to 6 to 12 inches promotes branching and keeps it at an easily accessible height for harvesting. Prune off any dead or diseased branches immediately to keep the plant healthy. Additionally, prune off any vertical growing stems or shoots that are blocking light and crowding desirable branches. Prune off any tips or weak stems that are occupying valuable space, as more stems means more fruit. Prune early in the season, post-harvest and at the start of summer to keep the tomato plant healthy and the fruit production higher.