Tomato Cages That Don't Fall Over?

[DonnaFreak]

My favorite method for tomatoes is the Florida weave. Before I knew it had an actual name and was a widely used technique, I just called it a tomato wall. It requires posts (we use metal T-posts) and twine or rope. It's pretty simple. Plant tomatoes 18-24 inches apart in rows. Then put posts at each end and in the rows so that there is a repeating pattern of "post, 2 tomato plants, post...." and so on, for however long the row is. Then use the twine or rope to make a tight loop around each set of posts with the plants inside the loop. I hope that makes sense, but if it doesn't a quick google search brings up a lot of pictures and blog posts.

This picture is from the first or second year I tried this method. They were cherry tomatoes, but we've used it for large varieties too. Those posts were about 5 feet high and I had to keep trimming the plants because they were getting way too tall for it. Also, I should have had at least one more post in the middle there. I'm pretty sure there were 4 or 5 tomato plants in that row. The only problem I've ever had with this method is my tendency to procrastinate. If they get too tall before adding more twine, they will start to fall over the twine/rope. Then it's much harder to add the next row and get the plants in where they need to be.

This is exactly what I ended up doing, and it's working GREAT!! Thank you so much for this advice! Love it!!

Donna

My favorite method for tomatoes is the Florida weave. Before I knew it had an actual name and was a widely used technique, I just called it a tomato wall. It requires posts (we use metal T-posts) and twine or rope. It's pretty simple. Plant tomatoes 18-24 inches apart in rows. Then put posts at each end and in the rows so that there is a repeating pattern of "post, 2 tomato plants, post...." and so on, for however long the row is. Then use the twine or rope to make a tight loop around each set of posts with the plants inside the loop. I hope that makes sense, but if it doesn't a quick google search brings up a lot of pictures and blog posts.

This picture is from the first or second year I tried this method. They were cherry tomatoes, but we've used it for large varieties too. Those posts were about 5 feet high and I had to keep trimming the plants because they were getting way too tall for it. Also, I should have had at least one more post in the middle there. I'm pretty sure there were 4 or 5 tomato plants in that row. The only problem I've ever had with this method is my tendency to procrastinate. If they get too tall before adding more twine, they will start to fall over the twine/rope. Then it's much harder to add the next row and get the plants in where they need to be.

 

[5138bug]

I have been using concrete reinforcing mats heavy duty they are 5x10 ft x 6"x6" opening 10 squares will make a 18" gage 5ft high cut bottom so wire can be pushed in the ground I have never had one fall over. I make smaller ones for peppers and egg plants. Most mason supply companies have them. Here in CT they cost about $9.00 they last for years.