Tomatoes which yielded 20 more.
Red plastic sheet mulch.
Simply changing the colour of the plastic to red can lead to bigger sweeter strawberries apparently the red feels like competition to the plants and so they work hard to overcome it.
The product that started the red revolution this remarkable red mulch helps tomato plants grow faster and produce more abundant crops.
They are available for the most part in sheet rod tube and profile form.
Anecdotally gardeners in berkshire county saw marked increase in overall plant size fruit size and yield of tomatoes eggplant and peppers when plants were grown in red mulch as opposed to straw mulch.
While plastic mulching certainly has its benefits it s important to dispose of the mulching material properly to reduce its effects on the environment.
Research has also found that red mulch reduces nematode damage.
I am pleased with the results.
Developed jointly by the usda and clemson university and proven effective in tests by a leading consumer magazine this specially engineered red mulch reflects far red light wavelengths upward into your tomato plants.
Does not control weeds as well but be warned not all brown plastic on the market is irt according to university of vermont extension.
Red plastic mulch is primarily used on tomatoes for an early harvest.
Red researchers at the usda and clemson university noted that certain crops performed better when grown in red mulch as opposed to black mulch.
Srm red a high quality durable plastic that is 1 0 mil thick and lays well over flat or raised beds.
Penn state researchers found yield increases for tomatoes and eggplants on red mulch compared to black.
Red plastic may be a bit harder to find but boy does it sound like its worth a try.
According to researchers at cornell and clemson universities when tomatoes are grown on red mulch they have higher yields stronger stems and ripen earlier.
There is more reflectivity early in the season when more of the mulch is exposed to light.
Red mulch reflects intensified red light to the developing plants which increases their photosynthetic capacity.
It s thinner than most garden plastic allowing more light and sometimes weeds through.
University studies in the usa have suggested that using red plastic may be even better than using the more popular black plastic as sheet mulch.
Red plastic sheeting to mulch strawberry beds.
The polyethylene film is usually a sheet of black plastic and it works the same way as organic mulch the film insulates the soil prevents soil erosion and reduces moisture evaporation.
My review of using red plastic garden mulch under tomatoes and other plants.
