PURPLE TOMATILLO – SWEET & PRODUCTIVE PURPLE TOMATILLO

PURPLE TOMATILLO – SWEET & PRODUCTIVE PURPLE TOMATILLO (ORGANICALLY CERTIFIED)

A compact and abundant tomatillo with sweet, fruity purple fruit. Delicious raw, perfect in salsa, and a superb addition to any garden.

Description

Purple Tomatillo is a compact, bushy variety, reaching about 30 cm in height and producing a profusion of small purple fruits encased in papery husks. Unlike green tomatillos, this variety can be eaten raw directly from the garden — sweet, fruity, and refreshing.

It also excels in cooking: ideal for vibrant salsas, chutneys, sauces, as well as steaming or boiling. A versatile, decorative, and delicious plant.

Where to grow Purple Tomatillo

Suitable for zones 3 to 9, it prefers a sunny and sheltered location. Perfect for raised beds, garden rows, or containers, especially in warm areas like patios or greenhouses.

History & traditional uses

Tomatillos have been a staple of Central American cuisine for centuries, used in sauces, stews, and traditional dishes. The purple tomatillo is a more recent selection, developed for its unique color, increased sweetness, and visual appeal. Its popularity continues to grow among chefs and gardeners.

Information for Canadian climate

• Zones 8-9: direct sow or transplant after last frost; full sun recommended.
• Zones 5-7: sow indoors 4–6 weeks before last frost; transplant when soil is warm.
• Zones 3-4: grow in containers or under protection in warmer garden areas.

How to grow and harvest Purple Tomatillo

• Sowing: start indoors 6–8 weeks before last frost; space plants 30–45 cm apart.
• Watering: maintain regular moisture, especially during flowering and fruit set.
• Harvest: pick when the husk splits and the fruit turns deep purple.
• Care: stake or use cages if plants become heavy with fruit.

Tips for storing your seeds

• Select the most vigorous and earliest plants.
• Extract seeds from well-ripened fruits.
• Ferment for 1–2 days in water, then rinse and dry completely.
• Store in an airtight container; viability up to 5 years.

Organic certification

Certified organic by: Islands Organics Producers Association (Cert#1962)