Member discussion regarding the methods, varieties and merits of growing tomatoes.
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April 21, 2013 | #1 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Stryker, Ohio
Posts: 995
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Florida Weave
Hi all,
I know this subject has been covered before. But this more a best guess on cost for materials needed. My niece has decided to replace her fence so I cant use it.I have 18 plants to set up and can't find any pricing on the materials on the big box web sites .Any guess on cost and your own experience with this would be helpful. Kevin
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April 22, 2013 | #2 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Zone 5b
Posts: 179
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Hi Kevin,
It looks like HD sells 8' T-Posts for about 6.50 a pop. I used 8-footers last year for my tomatoes (mostly indets) and it worked out out great (please note I am in New England and you are in a life-friendly area). I planted 2 plants between each two stakes. I could have easily supported much more with these posts. |
April 22, 2013 | #3 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: CA
Posts: 494
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I was just at HD today and bought 6 10' 1/2" rebar, (they were each around $4.50) came to about $25.00. We will have to cut the 10' down some, but the 6' would not have been long enough. The twine is pretty inexpensive.
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April 22, 2013 | #4 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Texas Coastal Bend
Posts: 3,205
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Craigslist, posting for T posts -Sent you a PM as well
http://killeen.craigslist.org/grd/3714458850.html I have no idea if this is close to you or not, just thought I would take a look at Craigslist in your area.
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April 22, 2013 | #5 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Stryker, Ohio
Posts: 995
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It's about 40 miles away. Nice deal though.
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Enhance your calm John Spartan. |
April 22, 2013 | #6 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Lake Okeechobee, Florida (zone 10-b)
Posts: 161
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I used 8' T-posts also and balers twine. I bought them last year and spaced 2 plants between each one. I had 16 Brandywine plants that grew much taller than the 6.5' I had above the ground. This year I have Cherokee Purple and have 3 plants between each posts and have kept the plants pruned to only 5 or 6 stems. So far good. The initial investment was tough for me, but the posts can be used year after year.
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April 22, 2013 | #7 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 602
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I use T-posts with 3 plants between posts. I recommend using twine that doesn't stretch. The first year I tried the Florida Weave, I used some type of natural twine that stretched after some time, and therefore didn't hold the plants up well.
Last edited by Douglas14; April 22, 2013 at 05:18 PM. |
April 22, 2013 | #8 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Raleigh, NC
Posts: 1,448
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I use 8' landscape timbers on the ends of my rows ($2 on sale at HD/Lowes) and pressure treated 2x2's with two plants between. A roll of sisal twine lasts me 2 seasons. Yes, it sags a little but the plants stay up. Love the weave.
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April 22, 2013 | #9 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Zone 5b
Posts: 179
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Douglas14 and Mikej, how far apart are your stakes? Just curious if I should be stuffing an extra plant between mine. TY!
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April 23, 2013 | #10 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 602
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I put the stakes about 9.5 to 10 ft. apart. Plants are spaced around 38 to 40 inches apart.
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April 23, 2013 | #11 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Zone 5b
Posts: 179
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Thanks for the reply. I think I actually have my plants 24" apart, and the posts 48" apart. It is probably overkill.
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April 27, 2013 | #12 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Stryker, Ohio
Posts: 995
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Would green jute twine work?
Kevin
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Enhance your calm John Spartan. |
April 27, 2013 | #13 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 602
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I don't know about green jute twine.
I think I've been using polypropylene twine. |
April 28, 2013 | #14 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Oklahoma
Posts: 4,488
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I have had good luck with simple hay bailing twine. Cheap and strong.
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Scott AKA The Redbaron "Permaculture is a philosophy of working with, rather than against nature; of protracted & thoughtful observation rather than protracted & thoughtless labour; & of looking at plants & animals in all their functions, rather than treating any area as a single-product system." Bill Mollison co-founder of permaculture |
April 28, 2013 | #15 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Crystal Lake IL
Posts: 2,484
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I use bailing twine also.
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