I hope to grow vegetables for quite a few years to come in my home
garden Last year I only grew tomatoes but this year I'm adding to
the list and will have more plants that require support. Last season I
used a single steel T-post for each plant. The green kind that's used
to install a fence. They are around $4 each in my area but are strong
and should last for many years to come. My tall plants that need stakes
will all be in a straight row so I figure if I can use the stake and
weave method, I'll only use one stake between every third plant thus
saving myself some expense. I plan to use parachute cord which is very
strong and weathers well between the stakes. I will prune my tomato
plants to a single main stem and plant them about 20" apart in the row.
The row will be about 3'x40'. I will plant onions and other lower
growing crops in front of the taller ones to utilize as much growing
space as I can. The reason I wondered if others have tried the stake
and weave support method is because I'm a bit concerned when thunder
storms come this summer and we get the high winds along with the storm.
Last year we had a single 15 minute storm that broke the main stem on a
few plants even though each one was tied to a single support stake. As
for using cages, I tried them a few years back and just don't care for
them at all. They take a lot of room to store which I don't have much
of. The wire that most cages are made of is flimsy but don't have any
give at all to it. I found that when my plants got heavy with fruit the
branches would break right where they went through the wire of the cage.
I do understand there are lot's of different types of cages that may
work very well including home made ones. BUT, I'm looking for an easy
method that offers good support and is cost efficient as well. Also,
no storage required come winter. I would just let the steel T-posts in
place come winter.

Rich