Betsy's tomatillo advice

Hey Pam!

I'm not too sure about growing tomatillos in this region of the country, but I did have a pet tomatillo years ago when I lived in New Orleans. I'm happy to share what little I know.

More than 90% of the tomatillo's diet is made up of insects and their larvae that live in the soil. They also feed on earthworms, scorpions, spiders, and other invertebrates. Tomatillos are most active at night, when they make small cone-shaped holes in the ground while rooting for food.

Tomatillos live in dens and some damage to your lawn can be caused by their burrowing under foundations, driveways, and other structures.

Here's a picture (that only a mother could love!) of my rascally old tomatillo, "Blinky," taken only days before his tragic, premature demise...

Good luck!

-Betsy Nichols

At 01:04 PM 9/22/98 -0400, you wrote:

Hi Underlib,

If anyone has experience in growing tomatillos in Massachusetts - would you please contact me? I need some help.

Thanks

Pamela P. Burke