Marianne's Response

Questions

Hello Ms. Binetti,

I have a Miniature Rose bed in front of my house that is full of grass. My fiancé has pulled it out so many times I’ve lost count. Is there any way to get rid of the grass permanently without harming the rosebushes? I also have a tomato question. If I were to harvest the seeds from the green tomato would they be viable for growing next year? Or would I have to wait for the tomato to be ripe to harvest the seeds?

Harold Fontana

Posted by Harold Fontana on September 18, 2020

Marianne's Response

I can promise you a rose garden with less weeds if you mulch - but first remove the weeds, roots and all and then cover the soil with 3 to 4 sheets of damp newspaper leaving about six inches without paper around the trunks of the roses. Next cover with 4 to six inches of wood chips, bark chips or other mulching material that will keep all light from the soil, seal in moisture and keep down weeds. Now for the green tomato seeds, I suggest you bring the green tomatoes indoors and let them sit in a cool dry spot for a few weeks and perhaps they will turn red. Even if those tomatoes remain green I would give the seeds a try. Just smear them onto a piece of paper and let them dry. Then store in a glass jar until spring when they can be planted early indoors or outside after all danger of frost is passed. Gardening is an adventure so don't be afraid to give seeds a try. Keep growing, Marianne Binetti