Purple de Milpa Tomatillos

Physalis philadelphica

Days to Maturity: 70-90 from transplant

These tomatillos turn purple as they ripen! Very prolific fruit production. No need to use supports or trellising with these sturdy, stalky beauties. Tomatillos need less attention than peppers and tomatoes and often self-seed to produce a perennial tomatillo patch-- so plant them where you want them in your garden! Makes delicious salsa, enchilada sauce and soup after pan or oven roasting them. Tomatillos thrive in poor soils and are drought tolerant. Also known as husk tomato because their fruits grow in papery husks. Seeds originally received from Native Seeds/SEARCH in Tucson.

Planting Instructions: Start Purple Tomatillo seeds indoors under lights 4-6 weeks before last spring frost. Transplant after all danger of frost has passed, spaced 2-3' apart.

Seed Saving Instructions: Remove seeds from the tastiest, fully mature fruit. Or use a blender with a very low setting-- place fruits with plenty of water and slowly blend. Strain out seeds. Dry seeds on a screen or cloth. Store seeds in a paper or mesh bag in a cool, dark and dry location.

Approx 50 Purple Tomatillo seeds per packet