|
| I get late blight every year and this year got early blight already. I just replaced my home grown toms with store bot. I would like to try grass mulch to see if I can keep plants free from any diseases splashing up from soil. I am aware of air borne blight but at the same time know that soil is already a problem. I would very much like to hear ideas or especially experience in using grass as tom mulch. My biggest fear would be that the mulch mats and prevents liquid fert and rain from filtering thru. |
Follow-Up Postings:
|
| I don't know about matting but unless that grass is prepared right it will fill your garden with seed and you'll be pulling grass out for a while. I use straw which is the second cutting of wheat that has no seed in it. It works great at keeping mud off the plants and keeps the moisture levels very consistent (no matting). I put down about 6 inches and as a side benefit it helps to keep the weeds down. I buy my straw for about 2 bucks a bale and you have to make sure it wasn't treated with herbicides so as not to hurt your toms. |
|
| I've been using grass clippings for years as a cheap mulch. Never had a problem with matting or grass growing You can't use grass that's been treated with a weed-and-feed fertilizer. I spread my grass in the beds liberally, making sure it's If you don't get a chance to spread it right away, it will When the tomato season is done, dig that mulch into the |
|
| I am drying my grass clippings. I didn't want to use it as green because of the danger of composting and burnin the plants. |
|
| I do as qaguy does and, also, have had good success using this method for years. It goes down fluffy and tends to, I guess you'd call it, mat, but hasn't been a problem. I put down 4 - 5 inches and once it compresses, it's about 2 or 3. Rain gets through fine. I do keep the mulch out a few inches from the stems. When I fertilize, I pull back the mulch (just a bit), apply the fert and put the mulch back in place. I don't have many plants, though. If you have lots that would be a chore. |
This post was edited by monet_g on Wed, Jun 19, 13 at 9:27
|
- Posted by greengrass1 (My Page) on Wed, Jun 19, 13 at 9:20
| Thanks for comments. How do you fertilize your plants after you lay grass mulch? Will liquid fert get thru muclch to plant? |
|
| I fertilize normally. Water gets through whether it has fertilizer in it or not. Perhaps a bit might get caught up in the mulch, but since it's water soluble, it will get re-dissolved when you water. I use the grass when it's green with no problems. You'd |
|
| I'm using this method. I put it down right out of the mower without any issue. There is no issue with matting and water not getting thru. The rain wets the clippings and eventually runs right thru. I throw a handful of fert right on top, but the method above of pulling back the mulch to fert would work slick too. |
Please Note: Only registered members are able to post messages to this forum. If you are a member, please log in. If you aren't yet a member, join now!
Return to the Growing Tomatoes Forum
Information about Posting
- You must be logged in to post a message. Once you are logged in, a posting window will appear at the bottom of the messages. If you are not a member, please register for an account.
- Posting is a two-step process. Once you have composed your message, you will be taken to the preview page. You will then have a chance to review your post, make changes and upload photos.
- After posting your message, you may need to refresh the forum page in order to see it.
- Before posting copyrighted material, please read about Copyright and Fair Use.
- We have a strict no-advertising policy!
- If you would like to practice posting or uploading photos, please visit our Test forum.
- If you need assistance, please Contact Us and we will be happy to help.
Learn more about in-text links on this page here
