Weeds in Tomato's question

[rickguns]

My son tells me if I use my grass clippings and pile them around my tomato plants it will keep the weeds and bugs out. Anybody doing this?

[beaconlight]

Yep it cuts them down a bit, keeps the soil moist and the weeds you get will come out easy without damaging the plants. We use the clippings from ours and 6 neighbors.

[DanR]

Newspaper works great too.

[Don McCombs]

Sure do. Works great on the weeds. Not sure about the bugs.

[DanR]

Most bugs can't read. It's the ones that can that you worry about.

[howard950]

I use one layer of newspaper with grass clippings over the paper. It adds good organic matter for the soil, cuts down on weeding and helps prevent some fungus problems. However, it's no guarantee agains all pests. Variety of plants, spacing, drainage, good organic matter and general plant care all play their part in raising healthy tomatoes with a minimum or no use of pesticides. Also make sure your grass clipping source was not treated with weed killer. Wow! It feels good to think gardening in spite of what I see outside. Thanks!!!

[daddydip]

i also place bottomless cans next to the root base of my plants, i like the large cans ,that way your always going to have water where it counts.

[rickguns]

I am just so ready for spring! Cabin fever is not a good thing. Can't wait for some good ole tomato on a hamburger hot off the BBQ grill!

[dakcub]

Great idea.....I will try it on my mators this year
Robert

[rickguns]

Gonna take the advice and hopefully have the best tomatos ever

[Billy Fussell]

The bottomless cans are a good idea. That way you can put the water and/or Miracle Gro down at the roots. Cuts down on evaporation.

Billy

[RedBess]

i use grass clipping in my garden to smother weeds, but a lot will still grow through however mulched soil makes pulling weeds very easy. If the grass is layered too thick say eight inches and over, the grass makes a heck of a mess when it comes time to rototill it in. Still my garden soil is like walking across a thin mattress its so loose.

[TractorChick]

we put chimney ash around my tomato plants. Seems to work for the bugs and weeds
Ciggarette ash actually works even better

[BigBill]

Grass clippings are good only when not weed killer is used. It needs to be clean grass clippings. Beaware of your newspaper with the ink too. Trust me i been there already.

I just purchased one of those pro poulan 1000's power handles with all the attachments. A weedwacker, pole saw, edger and power cultivator. With the cultivator it needs wheels its so heavy. I found that amazon had the best prices.

I just told the misses lastnite were doing barbeque this weekend since its in the 50's i can't wait any longer. I long for those wood fired bugers and dogs. Maybe some chicken and ribs too.

[Bill Hudson]

Folks,

Do not use grass that has been treated with weed killers as a mulch or incorporate it into garden soil as these could harm your desirable plants. Leave herbicide-treated clipping on the lawn or compost them. Be particularly cautious when the long-lasting herbicide called dicamba (Banvel) has been used. Most herbicides used on grass break down in the compost pile. Dicamba is an exception. Compost made with dicamba-treated grass should be used only for lawn applications. A better alternative is to leave dicamba-treated grass clipping on the lawn.

Mulching
Grass clippings can serve as a garden mulch to discourage weeds, retain soil moisture, and reduce erosion. The grass eventually decomposes, adding organic matter and plant nutrients to the soil.. Place grass mulch around plants in layers of about 1 inch and allow it to dry before you add more clippings. Thicker applications of clippings can become slimy and matted, impeding air and water movement into the soil.

Folks,

If you want the full story on grass clippings you can go here http://cecalaveras.ucdavis.edu/grass.htm

Bill