Marianne's Response

Plastic mulch and problem tomatoes

This is the second year I have had a problem growing tomatoes. Three years ago I had great luck, but last year they sat there and wouldn’t grow. This year it is the same thing. Would mulch (pine bark mulch) make the difference? I had porous plastic and new mulch put down last year. It is the only thing I can think of that is different. Two weeks ago I fertilized with granulated fertilizer. It has not made a difference, although it has not all dissolved. Should I give more time, or should I just give up on growing tomatoes?

Posted by Marianne lamb on July 3, 2014

Marianne's Response

I would blame the plastic mulch, not the pine needles. The mulch may trap the moisture in the soil and keep it from heating up. Tomatoes need heat. You can use black plastic to trap heat after the soil warms, but not with mulch on top. Try removing the plastic mulch and this will also allow more air into the soil. Next spring turn the soil and let it air out before planting the tomatoes. Keep growing, Marianne Binetti

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