BloominThyme

Gardening Beginners - Sustainable Vegetable Garden

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Recipes
  • Kids Gardening
  • About Me

Garden skinny - my personal scoop on gardening

Scientists Say…

Red paper mulch will increase your tomato yield!  Increase my tomato yield? Now that’s what I’m talking about–woohoo!  Let the celebrations begin!

But how is that possible?  According to the Agricultural Research Center and scientists at Clemson University, red plastic paper “reflects onto plants higher amounts of certain growth-enhancing light waves from sunlight.”  And is said to have “boosted tomato yields in research plots up to 20 percent, while conserving water and controlling weeds.”

Wow.  Now that’s some serious cabbage–er, I mean, tomatoes.  You mean I’m going to reap 20% more bounty this season?  All because I laid this red paper around my tomatoes?

Count me in!  I’m game to try anything.  And is there any better color than “red” for my “red sauce” producing tomatoes?  I think not.  So how do my babies look dressed in red?  All transplanted and settled in, we’re off to the races.

To my 100% organic friends, I apologize.  I know using plastic is not good for the environment, but they’re promising me 20% higher yield.  That’s hard to resist.  And it kills nematodes!  Important for my nematode-infested ground.  Isn’t the trade-off worth it? 

Eventually the “green” scientists will develop something red AND biodegradable.  We’ll see.  Until then, I’ll suffer through plastic and perhaps sneak it into the recycle bin when I’m finished with it.  After I use and re-use it, that is.  Several times.  As many times as I possibly can!

Hm.  Once I get past my anxiety and guilt (hopefully assuaged by a bumper crop of San Marzanos), I’ll let you know how it went.  Until then, consider me the “mad” scientist in the garden willing to try most anything–once!  Why not?  I’m adventurous. 🙂

How about you?  Ever tried red paper mulch in your garden?

Share this:

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Reddit
  • Twitter

Related


Leave a Comment

Download my FREE companion planting guide!

« Our Submission is IN!
Cooking Up Some Comfort Food »

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Hello there!

I'm Dianne, a Central Florida gardener who has learned that gardening doesn't have to be difficult or time-consuming, but instead--fun! With a husband, two kids and a Yellow Lab, I don't have time for difficult. My hands are full. But now, after a few years of trials and tribulations, so is my harvest basket! Let me share with you how I do it. Read More…

Buy a Hydroponic Tower

Buy a Hydroponic Tower

Your tower purchase supports school gardens!

Stay updated!

Get the latest gardening tips and news delivered straight to your inbox with my newsletter!

Popular Categories

  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • How-To Grow
  • Recipes
  • Kids Gardening
  • Gardening Gifts
  • Press

Get the first word on our latest posts

Get my FREE Companion Planting Guide!

You might also like

Cauliflower Growing Tip

full growth and production

Hydroponic Towers Made Easy

worm in tomato

Tomato Troubles

tropical orb spider in garden

Tropical Orb Weaver Spider

Hornworm host to braconid wasp cocoons on back

Beneficials in the Garden

Copyright © 2025 · Divine theme by Restored 316

Copyright © 2025 · Divine Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

 

Loading Comments...