Can You Use Pine Straw for Tomato Plant Mulch?

A nice bed of straw for tomatoes.

Pine straw is safe to use on all plants, including tomato plants. Not all plants should be mulched, but mulching is a big plus when it comes to growing tomatoes. It not only helps the plant, it makes the gardener's job that much easier. Pine straw mulch also gives the tomato patch a neat, clean, natural look.

Timing

Wait until summer to mulch the tomato plants. The soil needs to heat up first and mulching too early will keep the soil cool.

Applying

Apply a mulch 3 to 6 inches deep. Keep the pine straw away from the base of the plant so air can circulate around it. The mulch will settle from the weight of the tomatoes and the water. Replenish it as it does to keep it at the desired level.

Advantages

Using a pine straw mulch will cut the amount of watering in half. It will also protect the plant from disease and keep weeds away.

References

• Cornell University: Ask the Plant Doctors
• This Old House: Mulching a Tomato Garden
• ACES: Backyard Tomato Production
• Pine Straw Info: Pine Straw