Making Tomato Cages from Concrete Mesh

fonseca · May 15, 2017

You can make a jig to bend the mesh lengthwise for taller cages, using two pieces of plywood connected with a few hinges (picture an open book), and a 2x4 to clamp the mesh where you want to bend. Lay it flat on the ground, clamp the 2x4 over the mesh at the hinged center, and lift the other section of plywood up to bend. Ideally a two person job, wear gloves and protective clothing. Getting cut by this stuff sucks. I made a few successfully on my own, but would not do it again.

It's a lot less work to go with the circular shape it comes in and have 5' cages. Consider cattle panels for taller cages (all I am using this year). Letting the plants grow over and back down a short cage leads to more disease problems that could be avoided with extensions IMO, but extensions are a pain if you live in a windy area.

May 15, 2017	#1
fonseca Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 205	You can make a jig to bend the mesh lengthwise for taller cages, using two pieces of plywood connected with a few hinges (picture an open book), and a 2x4 to clamp the mesh where you want to bend. Lay it flat on the ground, clamp the 2x4 over the mesh at the hinged center, and lift the other section of plywood up to bend. Ideally a two person job, wear gloves and protective clothing. Getting cut by this stuff sucks. I made a few successfully on my own, but would not do it again. It's a lot less work to go with the circular shape it comes in and have 5' cages. Consider cattle panels for taller cages (all I am using this year). Letting the plants grow over and back down a short cage leads to more disease problems that could be avoided with extensions IMO, but extensions are a pain if you live in a windy area.