amunk, I am sorry something is eating on your tomatillos. But I'm more sorry for myself because tomatillos hate me, I've decided. Haha. They do look really good. When did you start them and what is your magic? (maybe someone else can help identify the pest problem).

Small holes that size could be almost any leaf-eating creature.

Have you seen any tiny grasshoppers around? They eat small holes in my lemon balm and catnip when they first appear.

I'm also seeing lots of caterpillars around---hornworms, army worms, inch worms, etc. Other than a little flea beetle damage, I'm not seeing much munching on leaves yet.

Other random pests that might eat tomatillo plants would include three-lined potato beetles, and possibly striped cucumber beetles. I know the striped cucumber beetles will feed on eggplants, and tomatillos are related, so they might eat the tomatillo plants. I have been finding and killed striped cucumber beetles in my garden this week. Whiteflies will feed on the undersides of the leaves and cause damage but they don't chew holes in the foliage.

I just wanna say those really are great-looking plants! "

Thanks Dawn, I figured it was a long shot since its pretty generic damage. I haven't seen a single "bad guy" except a few flea beetles in the beginning and an earwig or two. No white flies (yet) or cucumber beetles. I'll just keep an eye out. I finally took the row cover off, hopefully more pests don't show up! Ha

Hazel you're too funny. There's no magic I'm afraid. But thanks to you and Bon for the compliment! I use a heat mat to germinate, then a speed rack with florescent lights from Lowe's. Nothing fancy. I started them way too early along with everything else like beginning of Feb I think? I'm not sure. They got big and leggy under my lights, but I planted deep, covered with garden fabric, and hoped for the best! I really figured we would have cold enough weather to kill them but I just got lucky this year. I bought a plant once from TLC, but didn't realize you need more than one for pollination so it just grew, flowered, and nothing.. so I gave up until I figured out my mistake. I'm hoping this is my year because I'm dying to make some salsa Verde!

I was just talking to the guy at our sbdc about people gardening and failing without knowing why and giving up. I am so glad you gave it another go. I failed miserably at gardening my fist year, except for a few potatoes I harvested nothing. It was really bad. I was ready to throw in the towel and I wondered why I was so bad at this, maybe I inherited it from my mother. I worked at a cafe then and listening to the local ag people realized it was everybody not just me 2011 was a bad bad year lol. So now when I bomb something garden related I try to figure out why and at least give the thing another shot. Some stuff I chalk up to it just isn't happening here.