Rikki,
I understand your problem with wind, but I can't help thinking that GROWING
that straw mulch in place with a cover crop and no-till transplanting the
tomatoes (after converting the cover crop into a mulch by rolling or mowing or
herbicide burndown) would be better for you, your soil, and your bottom line.
If you haven't already visited it, see Steve Groff's website for successful
application of this concept.
Ray Weil
Rikki Sterrett wrote:
> In a study to evaluate sustainable cultural management strategies of
> commercial tomato production, we have included straw mulch applied after
> transplanting as an alternative to plastic mulch. There seems to be a
> problem with keeping the straw mulch on the bed even though we wet the
> straw after planting. We are located on The Eastern Shore of Virginia
> where wind is often a problem, particlularly in the spring. Has anyone
> found economical ways to hold the mulch on the bed that could be adapted
> for large scale (multi acre) production? I have just subscribed to
> sanet, so please send your replies to me directly (Rikki Sterrett,
> vators@vt.edu). Thanks.
>
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