Red Plastic mulch

[BLTLOVER]

As I impatiently wait for the first ripe tomato and the first BLT, I'm wondering about the red plastic sheets that are supposed to make tomatoes develop, grow, and ripen faster.

Has anyone tried it and is it fact or fiction?

[RayR]

I tried the red plastic mulch last year which was phenomenal year for tomatoes for me. I can't exactly credit the red plastic mulch for the results as the spring and summer weather was incredible for growing, Even the row of tomatoes that I grew without the red mulch did extremely well
To be fair you would have to run trails over a number of seasons to conclude that the red mulch is indeed effective at increasing yields.
What I didn't like about it was that it's translucent and weeds and nuisance grasses grew right under it and pushed up on the plastic so I had to reach under it and pull the weeds. Not an effective weed barrier by any means.


This picture was taken July 25, 2010. I only wish this year looked so good at this time.

[Keiththibodeaux]

Is there any such thing as a red permeable mulch?

[carolyn137]

Mostly fiction unless you're a large scale commercial farmer growing determinate plants and can leave at least 2 ft of the red stuff on either side of the plants.

I was present at the NE Vegetable Conference in Sturbridge, MA when Clemson U first introduced the crowds to this red plastic product. The initial presentations said an increase in yield of 15 to 20%/plant. No increase in ripening time was ever mentioned.

Those percentages dropped thru the years and now about 10% increase in yield seems more reasonable.

So take a plant that normally produces 30 fruits, add three more and weigh that against the cost of the plastic, then remember that there has to be about two feet clear on either side of the plants covered with the red, and with all those considerations, I don't see it being useful for the home gardener.

[PaulF]

And, is the increase the difference between red plastic mulch and no mulch as the control? If that is the case, what would the difference be between red mulch and any other mulch?

Several threads have asked about the red plastic and I agree with Carolyn, but would add that red mulch around tomato plants is better than no mulch at all. Permeable red would be something to try.

[BLTLOVER]

Thanks for all the feedback! I think I'll just impatiently wait for them to get ripe. Some are starting to turn now.

[Noreaster]

I have a plethora of weeds in my garden, looking for homes all day/all night.
So I tried a few things to cover the soil in tomato beds.

#1) Straw. Looked really nice. ALWAYS was a champ in keeping out weeds.
Beginning year 3,however, I had straw plants growing instead of weeds.
HUGE.
Never trusted straw from farms around here (Rye straw) again, since
seeds were always in 'em ,.

#2) Went to red plastic. It worked for a couple years.......but as you pointed
out.......I couldn't find red plastic THICK enough. Too much sun got
through, and weeds to a certain extent, were growing underneath.

#3) For 3 years now, seems I've found that BLACK plastic is just as good as
red regarding keeping the tomato plants happy......and is available
in 6 MM thickness. PERFECT. No weeds have a chance. Holes are made
in it, tomatoes are planted, and any soil exposed is covered with black
mulch. Estimate that it will be good for 5 years.

[BLTLOVER]

Noreaster......nice pictures and great feedback! As many before me have commented, tomatoville is the best source of tomato gardening information from the best tomato gardeners in the world!

[macbettz]

Noreaster, how do you manage your plastic after a season. DO you replant next years tomatoes in the same holes. Do you remove the plastic during winter? I am using the black plastic for the first time this year and really like it too.

[PaulF]

A few years ago I put down landscape fabric. It was black and permeable for watering and rainfall. It was excellent weed barrier. I did cover the whole area with straw to keep the temperature of the soil down. It was the best weed control I ever had. At the end of the season I removed it and stored it over the winter. The next season it was used at a garden space used to grow melons. Good luck there as well, but two years was the limit for the thickness I purchased. I swear I am going to go back to the fabric next year ... if I can get around to it and have the cash to put out for the thicker material. Good intentions now but by spring..?

[Noreaster]

Originally Posted by macbettz

Noreaster, how do you manage your plastic after a season. DO you replant next years tomatoes in the same holes. Do you remove the plastic during winter? I am using the black plastic for the first time this year and really like it too.

I pull out the plants Oct/Nov. Depressing, isn't it ?

In April, I roll up (or cut when necessary with a cardboard cutter) to expose each raised bed. Do all the normal soil prep stuff, turning soil, etc.....heavily water......rake out as much black mulch and the few weeds that snuck in somehow................then roll back over !

Use a roll of thick black tape to repair any tears.....but there aren't many.

Good for years. Key to us is the thickness......6 MM......ZERO weeds can grow under it.

We allow at least 8 inches circumference around each tomato plant stem, and
put new black mulch down to cover that soil each year.

[raindrops27]

Where do you buy the black plastic Noreaster?

[Noreaster]

Originally Posted by raindrops27

Where do you buy the black plastic Noreaster?

Home ★★★★★, raindrops. 6 MM thickness.

[raindrops27]

Thank you very much!