How to Use Grass Clippings for Mulch for Tomato Plants

Overview

Mulch is an essential ingredient in a healthy garden. It keep moisture in and weeds down. It helps to keep plants cool in hot climates and warm in cool climates. Mulching with grass clippings is also beneficial to plants because of the nutrients that the decomposing clippings add to the soil.

Step 1

Collect grass clippings and spread out slightly to allow to dry for a few days. Fresh grass clippings tend to be too heavy and compact too tightly which can suffocate the plants or block moisture when watering.

Step 2

Mix the clippings with composted materials for best results. Composted materials will help to start the decomposition of the grass and will help to keep the grass from compacting. If you don't have composted materials to add with it, consider mixing it with shredded leaves or straw. As a last resort, use the clippings by themselves, but remember that you will need to use a garden rake one or two times per week to help aerate the clippings. Tomatoes can get stem rot if they do not get enough air.

Step 3

Spread the mulch clippings around each plant, at least 4 inches thick. The thicker the clippings, the more chance there is of blocking out the weeds that rob tomatoes of their nutrients.

Step 4

Pull back the mulch away from each tomato plant stem about 1/2 inch. This will prevent the mulch from suffocating the plants in case it gets too compacted and will prevent stem rot in the tomato plants.

Step 5

Water the tomato plants as usual, making sure that the water has penetrated the mulch. Using a drip irrigation system is recommended to prevent water from burning the leaves in the direct sunlight or wasting water to evaporation. Dig down with your finger at least three inches into the dirt to test the water saturation level. If the dirt is still dry at the level, continue watering until it feels moist.

Step 6

Add clippings to the garden as needed, but be sure to dry them out somewhat before adding them.