Tomato Tip #3: Don't Let Your Tomato Go Naked, Put a Boot On It!

Cut the bottom out of a one or two gallon plastic bucket that your new azalea or rose came in, and put it around your newly planted tomato.


Brenda Steib of the Plano Community Garden with her tomato's "bootie." 


It will protect the tender little guy from nasty chills or vicious spring winds, which might break off a  branch.

This tip comes from Erin Hoffer, environmental education director with the City of Plano.

"Several people put their tomatoes out a few weeks ago," said Erin, "and they lost them when we had a late frost last week!"

Probably no more frosts around here, but the high here today was only in the 50's, and it's cold, wet and windy tonight. Wouldn't your babies do better in a bootie?    

This is a great tip for you Yankees that have several frosts to come.