tomato cage help

Hi. Looking for good, inexpensive ideas for holding up tall and heavy tomato plants. I've tried cages, stakes and side wires (had 3 sets of wires at different heights running the length of each raised bed and tied plants to them), but each had their problems. I prune the plants to cut down on weight from side branches, but they always topple their supports and/or grow higher than them. In the end, I have a big mess. What works best for you? Thanks!

I buy the tallest cages I can find, then place sturdy stakes around them
and tie the cages to the stakes. We get high winds here in New Mexico and
that has helped. As the plants grow I also use Velcro ties to tie the heaviest
branches either to the cage wire or to the stakes.

There are numerous articles about building CRW - concrete reinforcing wire - cages.

I have to grow my tomatoes in 12-gallon tubs, thus my method of supporting
the plants. We have hard clay soil at our house and a severe Windy Season.
The tubs have been the only way I could grow tomatoes here.

Thanks! I'll look into the CRW method.

Watch this video...I'm installing these now in my tomato bed -- building them myself.

I will never have to worry about a frozen tomato in winter, or a collapsed tomato vine -- ever...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9CLWdctgzOA&index=6&list=PLCxrB0SIHkCWhzg93bgaFyydxzdoAmvzZ

Hugs!

I vote for concrete wire cages, too. I grow my tomatoes in rows. I support the cages by driving a steel t-post at each end of the row and a wire from the posts across the tops of the cages. Using plastic zipties I secure the of the cages to the wire. That helps support more plant weight and keeps the cages from tipping in the wind.

David R

My system is similar to David R
I use supports attached to the sides of the raised beds to hold up the 6" x 6" welded wire mesh that is used for concrete.
The 6" x 6" grid allows me to reach through to harvest both sides.
The sturdy wire is easy to clean up, remove the leaves and stems at the end of the season.
Since I am not bending it around into a cage, but using it flat it is easy to store.

I cut it in an alternating pattern so that there are pieces of the mesh 6" long at 12" apart at the bottom that help add some stability in between the stakes which are the main support.

The operative in your appeal was "tall and heavy tomato plants." I have only grown huge beefsteak heirloom tomatoes, so I understand "tall and heavy tomato plants."

Every system I entertained had its own set of issues for holding up all that weight. After my last crop collapsed from poor support, I finally settled on constructing this Mittleider T-Frame in my tomato bed.

All things considered, it was an inexpensive, EZ construction project that I put together all by myself. A neighbor cut the 4x4s for me, and put the 45° angles on the "y" braces. Also, I had an assist with standing & leveling the T-Frames in the holes, and with lifting the 2x4s into place to box in the top.

Everything else I did myself. All that's left to do is run the 9 gauge, 165 test line to the eyebolts at the top. Once my tomatoes are up, they won't come down until I take them down.

You can collect lumber from some construction sites, on Craigslist, or Freecycle.

Because of the way the overhead lines are situated, each plant is staggered on the lines which form a "V" - one plant straight up, next plant straight out, etc. I should be able to get 15 tomato plants down one side of the 9'9" long bed, with airflow straight down the line between the plants.

Just have to order some baler twine, with the proper test load. Twine can cut or strangle the stems.

http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/p.php?pid=9798359


This message was edited Mar 28, 2014 9:39 AM

What works for me? Determinate tomato strains! ... also growing against a five foot high chain link fence. And also Seeds of Change Catalog is offering some pre made supports - not dirt cheap but not too too pricey. Their 5' by 5' tomato trellis looks good- $79.99. Also they have a 48 and 59 inch high trellis ( 13" width) 49.99 and 59.99 dollars respectively, and you get two per order.
best luck.
Heather Y.

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This message was edited Apr 1, 2014 11:53 AM

Try again, different browser. Use 11 gallon tubs, 3-4 together, tie cages at top together.

I have been using the metal rods used to reinforce concrete for many years. They are strong and durable. It is a waste to buy the metal cages as my plants outgrow them. Tips: tie vines to the rods with strips cut from old panty hose as this won't cut into the stem/vines.

I just finished to secure my cages and stakes for my tomatoes this weekend.
My tomatoes are just growing so fast and it needed to be done.
Look what I use as tomato cages, plus stakes and tons of twine.
I have been using this system for many years and it has been great !
It is very strong and so far it withstands heavy winds, heavy branches and fruits.
Good luck !