Question: Thanks to our climate, Iβm doing a postmortem for last seasonβs garden and planning seed starting for next season pretty much simultaneously.Β About tomatillos: Iβve had rotten luck. Iβve had single plants, mixed varieties, started seeds, bought plants from reputable local nurseries and have tried to appropriately manage watering and soil nitrogen. Tomatoes have done just fine. Tomatillos? Iβve had rotten luck.
Answer:Β Now is an excellent time to revisit and evaluate your gardening practices in 2015. In theory, growing tomatillos should be easy although they are as sensitive to the heat as tomatoes and there are a few insects to watch for so you donβt lose your crop. Shade cloth can help protect them once the spring heat kicks in and checking for insects once a week should be sufficient to manage pests before they get out of control. Here are some basic guidelines for growing tomatillos. Please let me know if you are already doing all these things.
Tomatillos should be planted in full sun with well-drained soil. Jan. 15 to Feb. 15 is the ideal planting time, although you can wait until March if you are using transplants. Drip irrigation is ideal and should provide an inch of water per week. Multiple plants are required for pollination.
Question:Β Is it too late for my bougainvilleas? I was out of town during the recent night freezes in Tucson, and I now have two bougainvilleas that are half frozen (they look great where the branches were protected by my awning). What do I do with the dead half? Pinch off the flowers and leaves? Prune it back? Just leave it alone?
Answer:Β Since you still have live parts itβs not too late to cover them in case we get more frosts. They will likely come back from this damage. The dead parts will protect the living parts somewhat in case we have more frosty temperatures so leave the dead parts on the plant until the spring when the danger of frost has passed.
Peter L. Warren is the urban horticulture agent for the Pima County Cooperative Extension and the University of Arizona. Questions may be emailed toΒ tucsongardensage@gmail.com
