Area is not yet mulched?

[Annies]

I mulched my tomatoes directly after planting as I wanted to keep the leaves off the bare ground to prevent dirt splashing on the them.I planted them in a trench so the root area is not yet mulched.

[admin]

Mulching tomatoes immediately after planting is a good practice, especially to prevent soil splash onto the leaves, which can spread soil-borne diseases. Since the tomatoes were planted in a trench, leaving the root zone temporarily unmulched is not an issue and can actually help the soil warm up faster for early root development.

As the tomato plants establish and begin active growth, the mulch can be gradually pulled over the root area to improve moisture retention, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature. Be sure to keep mulch a few inches away from the stem to avoid moisture-related diseases. Overall, this method supports healthy tomato growth and disease prevention.