Tomatoes Planted And Settled In. 4 May 25

 The tomato plants have been in the ground for a couple of weeks.  I think this is the earliest ever.

The cardboard keeps the ground more moist, prevent weeds, and prevents splashing fungal and bacterial disease spores onto tomato leaves.  I have wire cages in place for taller growing varieties.  All of the drip irrigation emitters are in place and working.  This year, I used in-line rater than individual emitters, 0.5 gal every 6 inches.  That way I don't have to take them apart at end of season, less plastic waste.  I don't know if they will keep the soil more uniformly moist, but I think so.

After the photo, I laid steel fence posts on the cardboard to prevent wind from scattering them.

After season's end, I compost the cardboard.