When it comes to growing warmth-loving crops like tomatoes, a black plastic mulch will hold in heat and keep out weeds. Lay the plastic down, secure with bricks or stakes in the corners than slit a hole and plant the tomato in the opening so it is surrounded by plastic mulch. Be sure to water in the slit with drip irrigation or use a watering hose when the soil is dry. Newspaper with mulch on top is also a good way to keep out weeds. Wet the newspaper first and use 3 to 5 pages. Add mulch of wood chips or bark and fill to at least 2 inches deep. Keep growing, Marianne Binetti