Seeing Red: Do Tomatoes Really Have a Favorite Color?

Who would ever imagine that plants have a favorite color? Turns, out, Tomatoes do!

According to research work done in the 80's and 90's, tomatoes do have a preference for color! It has been well documented that yields can be as much as 20% higher when tomatoes are mulched with either red plastic, or alternatively, a red colored mulch. I have employed both methods and both have produced excellent results. I must admit that I'm a bigger fan of biodegradable methods, and therefore, have gone to the red colored wood mulch. You'll want to be sure that if the wood mulch is enhanced with color, that it is a good, safe choice to use in your garden....and it will specify on the bag the range of uses it is suitable for.

Here is a link to one of the better-known studies in this area. Some of the most well-regarded studies were done at Clemson University in South Carolina. This is a link to a PDF that will explain why it works, from the light rays and spectrum to absorption levels, and, well, you can look it over yourself to find out more than you ever wanted to know! But red mulch for tomatoes does rock!

http://ddr.nal.usda.gov/bitstream/10113/18007/1/IND44088287.pdf

The Taxonomy (Science) of Garden Seed Germination

I find the actual process of seeds coming to life, or actually, anything in our world coming to life fascinating- so much that I have studied it over time, whether it was an academic assignment or just me, wanting to know from a personal level.....how stuff works. ;)

Here are diagrams of the wondrous process first with tomatoes, then other types of seed as shown.

The actual process of tomato seed germination.  I find this stuff fascinating....but then, I'm an agricultural/horticultural/floricultural geek girl. :-D



The taxonomy of other types of Seed Germination.....the Garden Bean, Pea, and Corn.