MERIDA MARKET TOMATILLO

Physalis ixocarpa

These are the best ‘purple' tomatillos we have grown so far. While they are not as magnificently saturated in color as our Purple Tomatillo, they are far earlier and even sweeter, with a delectable fragrance that reminds of Acorazonado.

Original seed stock was procured from a market in Mérida, capital of the Yucatán in Mexico. Likely a landrace, as there was some notable diversity among the plants that we grew out in 2022, though all were healthy and productive through the most challenging growing season that we have ever endured. An excellent selection for new gardeners.

Start these seeds indoors, around 4-6 weeks before the last spring frost. Tuck seeds just beneath the surface of moist soil, press to keep seed snug, and mist with warm water. Cover with plastic to maintain moisture and temperature. Kept warm (around 75°F) and moist in bright light, seeds should germinate in a week or so. Prick out seedlings with true leaves and transplant into individual pots or cells to grow on at warm room temperature in bright light. Harden off before transplanting into warm soil in full sun after all danger of frost has passed.

Like all tomatillos, these plants will root along the stems, and can be planted very deeply where heat and drought are inevitable. Cage if you'd prefer they not sprawl, because at least some of them will. Plants are fairly compact, topping out around 3'. Indeterminate, and very productive for us in spite of a cold dry spring, a hot dry summer, and cold wet autumn. Only a hard freeze finally did them in. Unmarred fruits keep for several weeks on the kitchen counter after being picked. And unlike our Purple Tomatillo they are not wont to drop when ripe, keeping them safe from little critters.

Grown by Farmacie Isolde.

Packet contains at least 30 seeds.