Staking Tomato Plants - Tomato Cages
Gardeners always seek to maximize their harvest, and to produce the healthiest
fruits. For tomato gardeners, staking tomato plants is an absolute necessity.
Some people (a very small minority of tomato gardeners) grow tomatoes plants
without providing support. Fruit on the ground is subject to ground insects
and pests, most notably slugs. Fruit resting on the ground often gets damaged
or ruined by contact with the soil.
So, the vast majority of us use tomato supports. There is a wide array of
tomato supports to choose from.There is no consensus on the best type of
tomato support. However, staking tomatoes, tomato cages and a tomato trellis
are by far the most common means of supporting tomato plants.
Did you know? Many varieties of tomato plants will grow six to eight
feet in a season. But, they can't reach their potential without some form
of support.
Ways to Support Tomato Plants:
Staking Tomato Plants:
Staking tomatoes is is fairly simple. Use a stake that is four to eight feet
long. Pound it firmly into the ground near the young tomato plant. As the
plant grows, use garden twine, or soft cloth strips to tie the main stem(s)
loosely to the stake. Tie the stems to the stake every several inches.
Tomato Cages:
Beyond a doubt, a tomato cage is the simplest way to support your tomato
plants. Due to it's simplicity, it's probably the most popular means of support.
There are two types of tomato cages- wire cages and plastic veggie cages.
Both are easy to use.
For wire cages, just bend the legs a little to spread them out. Then, stick
them into the ground. It's easy to train the main stems to grow inside
the cage. The bigger the tomato plant, the bigger the wire cage. While tomato
cages start at three feet, many tomato varieties grow much larger. Keep this
in mind when buying wire cages.
For veggie cages, a garden stake is pounded into the ground. Then, the veggie
cage is easily lifted up to several feet tall, and fastened to the garden
stake. During the season, train the main stems to grow inside the veggie
cage.
Storage can be an issue. Wire tomato cages can be stacked. But, they still
take up a fair amount of space. Plastic veggie cages fold down, and take
up very little space.
Buy Veggie Cages
Tomato Trellis:
Similar to wire tomato cages, tomato trellises are constructed of a thicker,
stronger (usually) metal material. They are obviously more expensive. But,
they last longer and are more attractive in appearance to many tomato
gardeners.
Fencing:
Some people, especially gardeners in urban settings, will grow tomatoes along
a fence. As the plant grows, the stems are tied up to the fence. It is effective,
and helps to best utilize limited space.
More Information:
More on How to grow
Tomatoes
Homemade Tomato and Vegetable Juice
Our Garden Recipe Collection
Veggie Cages Throw away the wire and hoop tomato
cages. This revolutionary cage expands a whopping 7ft! Stores flat in almost
no space. Try them on sweet peas, tomatoes, pole beans, and other climbing
climbing flowers and vegetables.
Buy Vegetable Seeds Finest quality Ferry Morse Seed,
America's oldest seed company with their famous "guarantee to grow". |
