Organic gardening is admittedly a strange place to talk about plastic mulch, but bear with me.
For the past three seasons, I've slavishly followed Ruth Stout's method of using straw (the higher the better) to mulch my tomato plants. Let's just say it hasn't really worked for me. (Weather was a factor, I admit. So were the slugs who just looooove the straw, and my 'maters.)
This year, DH is wanting to get in on the tomato-growing end of my garden, so I'm thinking about experimenting with some plastic mulch on half my tomato beds. Specifically red mulch. Any new news about red mulch? (Yeah, I've read the theory behind the red plastic vs. black, and I've read the old DG posts where the theory was picked, poked and prodded, if not totally debunked.) But hey, where's the fun in a friendly spousal competition/challenge if you don't try a few new tricks and tips to keep each other off-balance?
So who can recommend plastic mulches for tomatoes, peppers and eggplants? (And do you prefer red over black?)
Mulch (specifically plastic)
I did an experiment a couple of years ago. I used red plastic mulch on 1/2 my maters and grass clippings on the other half. The plants mulched in the red plastic did bear more and larger fruits. It was an unscientifc experiment but it does have some merit I think.
I got mine from Gardeners Supply I believe.
Paul
I tried the red plastic some yrs back...didn't see a big difference in harvest. It helped control weeds tho, as any plastic mulch would. I still had to weed around the base of the plants cus grasses would seed their way under the mulch and surface out of the X that you cut to plant your plant in the ground.
Black plastic mulch works fairly good early in the year but when summer temps come on the ground becomes exceptionally hot. Not good. I've also used clear plastic but had pretty much the same effect, it really heats up the soil. I suppose if you use either black or clear you could cover it with a second mulch of leaves or whatever. (Of course then you'd be providing cover for all your wonderful slugs again tho, eh?)
I think I must be very fortunate. I used a deep straw/hay mulch in my No Work garden and have never had slug problems. Perhaps the soil has a particular balance that tends to keep them away.
Shoe
I too have used straw to mulch my maters and have never encounter a slug problem.
Paul
I'd be more than happy to share my slugs with y'all.. Or the half-eaten 'maters, if you'd prefer ;o) Just send me your addies, and be looking for a package by mid- to late-June!
Hehehe...I'll try the slugs, but you'll need to send me a recipe with them. (I'm getting tired of the same ol' stir-fry!) :>)
Terry, a few ducks would take care of the slug problem. They like bugs too, and they don't scratch.
Oh, don't get me started. I would dearly love a few chickens, but even though we live outside the city limits, and have over an acre, we have a neighbor who would pitch the biggest fit you've ever seen. No way would she allow ducks, either.
Terry, I have been using plastic or embosed mulch for 3 years now. It has worked very well for growing tomato's and bell peppers. I will be expiermenting with the red mulch as well as the silver colored mulch. I find that very few tomato's rot when laying on the mulch. There is also degradeable mulch that is made of corn starch. Check this web site out as they have alot of info on the mulch, they also sell it.
www.robertmarvel.com
thanks for the tip, david! I looked over the site, and wound up adding it to the Garden Watchdog: http://gardenwatchdog.com/c/3212/ as well as bookmarking it for future reference.
The degradable plastic is an interesting concept, for sure!
Great site! I'm impressed with the products (and also the prices!)!
I've emailed for more info. Will post when I get a response.
Thanks david!
This is a great site and prices! Can't believe it's just 50 minutes from here to pick-up and it's on "Horseshoe Pike" LOL.
"Horseshoe Pike"!!!!
Hah! Maybe I should just crank up the pick-em-up and drive up that way to check it out! τΏτ
For slugs or snails try the nontoxic bait called Sluggo (or Escargo from Gardens Alive). It really works! In CA we have non stop slugs and snails and I handpicked for years. Sluggo is much easier.
I have the Schultz brand of iron phosphate-based slug bait, which I use around my perennials. I guess I'm always a little skittish about using stuff around my veggies :)
What about trying ground oyster shells from the feed store? I used to buy bags of that to help my chickens eggs have strong shells. They are sharp and might slice the slugs tender undersides open and stop them in their slimy tracks. Also you could try saving, drying and crushing egg shells and scattering them around your plants, they also tend to be sharp. Who knows, it might work.
I use diatomaceous earth sometimes, sprinkled around really attractive plants like recent transplants or that poor mum. (They ate it nearly to the ground first.)
This is mined dead diatoms, which have silica shells. They're very sharp and death on invertebrates like insects and snails (slices tiny holes into them and they dry out and die) and safe for vertebrates, though you want to keep the silica content 3% or less ideally. Some people even use it as flea powder or put it in with their grain storage. Vertebrate bodies can protect themselves against their hard little edges, though you want to be careful to keep it out of your eyes and lungs.
It comes in a sprinkle like meal and in pellets for slugs and snails (probably mixed with corn meal?).
We get tons of slugs and snails here! I wish we could have ducks! Though they'd eat all the flowers too, sigh.
Gum balls. Um-hmm. Gum balls!
I ain't talkin' about the kind in the glass bulb machine-thingy that you put money in and get something out of it to chew on. I'm talking about them ever-present thorny balls from gum trees (and sweet gum). Those things have been a thorn in my side for years UNTIL I realized they were excellent slug deterrents. Rake 'em up, put them around the base of your plants, in your hosta beds, you name it. They don't break down quickly so last a long time. They don't need re-applying after a rain. (If they are there long enuff to sprout, just pull the sprout outta the ground.)
Yep. Gum balls. Um-hmmm. Gum balls. τΏτ
Ooooh, Shoe - what an inspired idea! I don't have a Liquidamber tree, but my neighbors do, and they're always looking to dispose of them. Won't they be surprised when I ASK for them? (Then again, maybe they won't be surprised...I *do* have a reputation in the 'hood, lolol!)
HAH!...You'll be paying the kids a penny a piece for them one day! Or more!