Tomato Plant Support Methods

Gardeneer · April 14, 2017

How do you support your tomato plants ?
Speaking for myself, I have done it mostly by staking and caging in the past.
But this year I am going to do it differently . NO more cage, No more staking individually.

Because I plant in rows (rather than in small raised beds ) I will practice :

1- Stringing, lowering and layering (Just one row experiment).
2 - Florida Weaving.. By this method I try to reduce the number of stakes by about 70%. For example, instead of using 3 stake for 2 plants I will use 2 stakes/poles for 4 plants.
Why Not Cages ?
In my case, good cages are expensive to buy an/or to make. Any cage shorter than 6 ft is not effective. So you end up supplementing them by stakes.
Cost is important consideration. Fifty (50) cages at $10 per cage would cost $500.
Winter/off season handling and storage is yet another consideration.

How are you supporting your tomato plants ?
Please share your method(s) with us.

April 14, 2017	#1
Gardeneer Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: NC - zone 8a - heat zone 7 Posts: 4,916	Tomato Plant Support Methods How do you support your tomato plants ? Speaking for myself, I have done it mostly by staking and caging in the past. But this year I am going to do it differently . NO more cage, No more staking individually. Because I plant in rows (rather than in small raised beds ) I will practice : 1- Stringing, lowering and layering (Just one row experiment). 2 - Florida Weaving.. By this method I try to reduce the number of stakes by about 70%. For example, instead of using 3 stake for 2 plants I will use 2 stakes/poles for 4 plants. Why Not Cages ? In my case, good cages are expensive to buy an/or to make. Any cage shorter than 6 ft is not effective. So you end up supplementing them by stakes. Cost is important consideration. Fifty (50) cages at $10 per cage would cost $500. Winter/off season handling and storage is yet another consideration. How are you supporting your tomato plants ? Please share your method(s) with us. __________________ Gardeneer Happy Gardening !