Why are tomatoes grown using plastic mulch?
Plastic mulch is used for two main reasons: earliness and water relations. Plastic mulch helps maintain heat in the soil and increases the rate of plant growth. The first tomatoes to hit the market get the best prices. Using mulch can shorten the interval from planting to harvest by as much as one week if the sun shines. Plastic mulch also help prevents evaporation from the soil. A more even moisture regime helps prevent blossom end rot.
