Most gardeners who grow robust tomato plants with abundant, healthy fruit know the importance of mulching. Applying a layer of mulch around plants can keep the soil cool in summer and warmer in spring ...

If you need to top up the mulch in your garden, you might be faced with the choice between using pine bark or pine straw.

Wondering which mulch won’t whither your wonderful tomatoes? WTOP Garden Editor Mike McGrath has answers for you. (Getty Images/ThinkStock) Anne in Falls Church, Virginia, writes: “My husband just ...

A. Does pine straw make a good mulch to use with tomato plants in a raised bed? — R. Jeffers, Virginia Beach Q. Like any mulch, pine straw has pros and cons. Among the pros: It’s lightweight and ...

Warm summer weather finally has arrived which means it's time to mulch our gardens. Summer mulch, which can range from well-rotted compost to a wide variety of other plant materials, is said to be the ...

Jim in D.C. writes: “I know you’re a fan of using an inch of compost to mulch tomato plants. But how about zukes, cukes, peppers and eggplant – what’s the best mulch for them?” Compost is the best ...

Q: Do tomatoes need pruning? A: When we first plant our baby tomato plants outside, we will remove the bottom side shoots and dig a hole deep enough to cover several inches of the main stem. If you ...

When the weather is as dry as it has been in Eastern Iowa, mulch is an essential. Here's hoping for rain; when mulch can be equally important. Linn County Master Gardener, Lisa Slattery, shares the ...

The ideal transplant is about six inches tall, has dark green foliage, and the pot is packed with creamy-white, healthy roots. Adele L. Wilcoxen Johnson County K-State Research and Extension It’s the ...

Tomatoes are famed for being a breeze to cultivate and require minimal fuss, but growers must keep a vigilant watch on their foliage. April's characteristic mix of warmth and rainfall sets the stage ...