![]() You’ll still likely need to tie sagging branches to the cage in some place, as the fruit set can be heavy and unevenly distributed. Tomato cages reduce the need for tying your plants to stakes, wire, string or a frame. A stake is driven through the cage for extra support as the plant matures and becomes heavy with tomatoes. Instead of having to separate the strings from the plant stalks and branches, you can toss the whole works into a compost pile where it will all degrade together.Īn empty tomato cage (foreground) and behind is a tomato plant in a cage. This is a big help when you’re clearing the plant skeletons after harvesting is complete. When choosing string for tying the plants to stakes, jute or sisal is ideal since this type of string is biodegradable. With wooden stakes, use a hatchet to taper one end of each stake to a point, and be sure to drive the stakes into the ground when the plants are young to avoid damaging any roots that spread laterally when the plants are more developed. Metal fencing stakes can also be used as an alternative. The stake provides early support for the tomato, which is later wrapped or clipped to a string suspended from the greenhouse ceiling or horizontal frame.Ĭedar is a good wood to use for stakes since it is relatively rot resistant your cedar stakes should last several years or more. Similar to the vertical hanging trellis above, this method involves pounding a wooden stake next to each plant when your tomatoes first go into the garden. Wrap or clip each tomato plant to the string, winding or clipping as the plant grows.Īnother option for trellising tomatoes is the stake-and-string method. Next, attach one string immediately above each tomato plant, letting it descend all the way to the ground. Connect the posts across the top with a single strand of high quality wire. Using wood or metal posts averaging 6-8 feet high, drive in supports on each end of your row and every 10-15 feet within the row. Each time your plants grow a foot, it’s time to weave a new row of string. When you get to the end, weave back again on the other side of the plants. When the tomatoes are a foot high, tie string to an outside stake and begin weaving string horizontally across the frame, looping around each stake in the row. (Stakes can be approximately four feet, depending on your tomato variety). Construct a frame around your tomato row by driving wood or metal stakes at either end of your row and every 3-4 feet within the row. If your tomatoes are outdoors, practical options include: Horizontal String Trellisīest for determinate varieties (because this system makes pruning difficult), this method sees string running horizontally across a frame, forming a string support on either side of each plant. If you are growing your tomatoes in a greenhouse, you can eliminate the frame by attaching vertical strings to greenhouse studs or rafters. String trellising is an inexpensive and readily available system that requires few materials. Perhaps the simplest way to vertically support a vine is to tie it to a frame or other support using pieces of string or twine. Trellising your tomato vines also enables you to grow a higher density tomato crop, helping you conserve valuable garden space for other crops.ĭepending on the materials at hand and your pruning methods, the following trellis options provide the inexpensive and practical support your tomato plants need throughout the growing season. Not only do trellises keep vining plants off the ground, protecting them from a variety of pests, diseases and foot traffic, they also ensure plants receive adequate circulation and sunlight-two necessities to help reduce disease and hasten ripening. This will provide you with fresh tomatoes for slicing and dicing throughout the season, as well as a concentrated harvest for preservation.įor those who do grow indeterminate varieties, tomato trellises are an important addition to the garden. Since most heirloom tomatoes are indeterminate varieties, you may find yourself growing a mix of bush and vine tomatoes to meet your needs. These tomatoes need consistent pruning and commonly reach heights of six feet or even more. In contrast, vining or indeterminate varieties will grow and set fruit throughout the season. Not only do trellises keep vining plants off the ground, protecting them from a variety of pests, diseases and foot traffic, they also ensure plants receive adequate circulation and sunlight. For determinate tomatoes, a simple tomato cage or patio container will do. It also means their height is limited and tall trellises are not necessary. This makes bush varieties excellent for canning. ![]() Bush tomatoes grow for a shorter season, setting and ripening their fruit during a concentrated period. The first thing to consider when planning your tomato trellis is whether you are growing vine (indeterminate) or bush (determinate) tomatoes. ![]()
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