Best way to mulch in containers
 

This will be my third year growing in containers and in the past I have just used about an inch or two of cypress multh on top of the potting mix.

I was wondering what everyone else does.

I bought some of the sheets of red tomato plastic for mulch a few years back but have never used it. Would using that in combination with the cypress help keep moisture in the mix? would it heat up the soil more?

Just thinking since about a game plan since seed starting is not for a couple more months in my zone.

I use plain shredded pine bark...or shredded newspaper. It depends on how deep the mulch is to be and how "ornamental" I want them to look.

[INDENT]Well cypris multch is what we have at teh townhouse so that is what I have been using in my containers but stiill would like to know what everyone else has had good luck with.
[/INDENT]

Any other suggestions? I am so in spring mode right now with all the seeds I have to start I cannot wait for the first BLT of the season!!

Pie Tins. Ami
[url]http://www.tomatoville.com/showthread.php?t=2883&highlight=pie+tins[/url]

I use a layer of seaweed mulch & straw in my pots ...
Has worked fine for me ...

The pictures below are of my "project row" from 2007 ...

~ Tom

[IMG]http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e94/tomstrees/Bashful%20Project%202007/21001.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e94/tomstrees/Bashful%20Project%202007/Start2007Cont-1.jpg[/IMG]

I have used shredded trees that the city gives away for free. I may try alfalfa hay this year.

Hello I am new in the Tomatoville forum, hello every one :).

I mulch my tomatoes using a mix compost and shreded (wetted) newspaper. First layer will be the shredded wet newspaper and then a layer of compost (around 3 cm) and then top up with another layer of shredded wet news paper. I water the ground generously before setting their mulching. It work well during hot summer and I no longer has blossom end rot problems.

Tomaat, welcome to TVille. You have come to the right place to talk tomatoes. How did you find us? Ami

Gobig,

For the last two years I have used a combination of leaf mulch and llama pellets (manure). The pellets have sat in the sun for a while before I use them, so they are very dry and light. As I water, they very slowly release nutrients into the soil.

Our winters are markedly different, but pellets tend to last for 12 to 18 months here in the PNW. I'm guessing they won't last that long in MN. I suspect the hot, humid summers will break them down more quickly.

Peace.

Michael in OR, zone 8.

[quote=amideutch;93679]Tomaat, welcome to TVille. You have come to the right place to talk tomatoes. How did you find us? Ami[/quote]

It is a cool forum, Ami and thanks for the welcome.
I love it !!! Everybody is very friendly and very informative :). I am reading with great interest, there are loads of ideas which I haven't try for my small garden :).
Here are some of my garden produce from last year, the Pink Brandywine tomato plan was infectec by phytoptora fungus not long after the picture was taken, the Romanian hot chili was fantastic, it was my first time growing it and now I am hooked with tomatoes, chilies and couple of other things.