July, 2005 Regional Report  Watering Right  Dry weather and new
plants mean you may need to water. To check, dig into the soil
with your finger. If it is damp, don't water yet. When you
water, water thoroughly so it soaks down deep to encourage deep
rooting. It is better to water deeply less often than to
sprinkle lightly every day.   Mulch is used to help keep the
soil evenly moist, and it helps hold down weeds. Using a natural
mulch, such as shredded bark or wood chips, straw, or chopped
leaves, for example, also feeds the soil slowly over time as it
decomposes. Mulch in a flat layer about 2 to 3 inches thick;
don't allow it to touch the stem or trunk of your plants.  Be
Patient With Blossom Drop  Tomatoes will drop their blossoms
when daytime temperatures are too high (above about 90 degrees
F) or nights are too warm (or too cold). Once the weather cools
off, the plants will start setting fruit again. Overfertilizing
with nitrogen also can cause blossom drop, so follow label
directions and take care not to