Home |
Search |
Today's Posts |
#31
|
|||
|
|||
Tomato Spirals?
"Frogleg" wrote in message ... On Mon, 15 Mar 2004 18:53:10 GMT, "FDR" wrote: Frogleg wrote: On Mon, 15 Mar 2004 01:57:16 GMT, "FDR" wrote Looking through the Garden Tools by Lee Valley catalog, I came across a tomato staking method using spirals. Basically, it's a 6 foot long piece of metal that you push into the ground and it is spiraled all the way up. I like those cages from Gardener's supply too, but I can't see myself paying so much for them. If they were cheaper I'd definitely get them. Go somewhere like Home Depot and get a roll of 6" mesh concrete reinforcing wire. Ask about what kind of tool you need to cut the wire. Here's a rough illustration and directions: http://www.extension.umn.edu/project...37trellis.html This page suggests tying the cage to a stake, but if you snip off the bottom wire, you'll have a 6" multi-spike perimeter to put into the ground. These are sturdy, last for years and years, and do a good job of supporting the tomatoes. Though they are certainly sturdy, I don't think they'd be for me since my wife wouldn't appreciate the aesthetics or lack of easy storage capability. |
#32
|
|||
|
|||
Tomato Spirals?
"Frogleg" wrote in message ... On Mon, 15 Mar 2004 18:53:10 GMT, "FDR" wrote: Frogleg wrote: On Mon, 15 Mar 2004 01:57:16 GMT, "FDR" wrote Looking through the Garden Tools by Lee Valley catalog, I came across a tomato staking method using spirals. Basically, it's a 6 foot long piece of metal that you push into the ground and it is spiraled all the way up. I like those cages from Gardener's supply too, but I can't see myself paying so much for them. If they were cheaper I'd definitely get them. Go somewhere like Home Depot and get a roll of 6" mesh concrete reinforcing wire. Ask about what kind of tool you need to cut the wire. Here's a rough illustration and directions: http://www.extension.umn.edu/project...37trellis.html This page suggests tying the cage to a stake, but if you snip off the bottom wire, you'll have a 6" multi-spike perimeter to put into the ground. These are sturdy, last for years and years, and do a good job of supporting the tomatoes. Though they are certainly sturdy, I don't think they'd be for me since my wife wouldn't appreciate the aesthetics or lack of easy storage capability. |
#33
|
|||
|
|||
Tomato Spirals?
"Frogleg" wrote in message ... On Mon, 15 Mar 2004 18:53:10 GMT, "FDR" wrote: Frogleg wrote: On Mon, 15 Mar 2004 01:57:16 GMT, "FDR" wrote Looking through the Garden Tools by Lee Valley catalog, I came across a tomato staking method using spirals. Basically, it's a 6 foot long piece of metal that you push into the ground and it is spiraled all the way up. I like those cages from Gardener's supply too, but I can't see myself paying so much for them. If they were cheaper I'd definitely get them. Go somewhere like Home Depot and get a roll of 6" mesh concrete reinforcing wire. Ask about what kind of tool you need to cut the wire. Here's a rough illustration and directions: http://www.extension.umn.edu/project...37trellis.html This page suggests tying the cage to a stake, but if you snip off the bottom wire, you'll have a 6" multi-spike perimeter to put into the ground. These are sturdy, last for years and years, and do a good job of supporting the tomatoes. Though they are certainly sturdy, I don't think they'd be for me since my wife wouldn't appreciate the aesthetics or lack of easy storage capability. |
#34
|
|||
|
|||
Tomato Spirals?
Loki wrote:
I'd like to try staking this year. Just don't know what method to use. I read one just a week ago. They put stakes in at each end (10feet) and planted the tomatoes in between. then as they grew they wove twine from one stake to the other, and adding twine as the toms grew taller. I didn't see a picture, but they must use 2 twine each time to hold the plant. It said they grew much better that when individually staked. This is how I do it: http://albums.photo.epson.com/j/View...766&p=60247499 http://albums.photo.epson.com/j/View...766&p=60247632 I plant peas on the outside, the tomatoes on the inside. The tomatoes reach the trellis just about the time the peas are done. The stakes are buried a good two feet, and the whole thing has lasted 5 years so far. -- Julie |
#35
|
|||
|
|||
Tomato Spirals?
Loki wrote:
I'd like to try staking this year. Just don't know what method to use. I read one just a week ago. They put stakes in at each end (10feet) and planted the tomatoes in between. then as they grew they wove twine from one stake to the other, and adding twine as the toms grew taller. I didn't see a picture, but they must use 2 twine each time to hold the plant. It said they grew much better that when individually staked. This is how I do it: http://albums.photo.epson.com/j/View...766&p=60247499 http://albums.photo.epson.com/j/View...766&p=60247632 I plant peas on the outside, the tomatoes on the inside. The tomatoes reach the trellis just about the time the peas are done. The stakes are buried a good two feet, and the whole thing has lasted 5 years so far. -- Julie |
#36
|
|||
|
|||
Tomato Spirals?
Loki wrote:
I'd like to try staking this year. Just don't know what method to use. I read one just a week ago. They put stakes in at each end (10feet) and planted the tomatoes in between. then as they grew they wove twine from one stake to the other, and adding twine as the toms grew taller. I didn't see a picture, but they must use 2 twine each time to hold the plant. It said they grew much better that when individually staked. This is how I do it: http://albums.photo.epson.com/j/View...766&p=60247499 http://albums.photo.epson.com/j/View...766&p=60247632 I plant peas on the outside, the tomatoes on the inside. The tomatoes reach the trellis just about the time the peas are done. The stakes are buried a good two feet, and the whole thing has lasted 5 years so far. -- Julie |
#37
|
|||
|
|||
Tomato Spirals?
Loki wrote:
I'd like to try staking this year. Just don't know what method to use. I read one just a week ago. They put stakes in at each end (10feet) and planted the tomatoes in between. then as they grew they wove twine from one stake to the other, and adding twine as the toms grew taller. I didn't see a picture, but they must use 2 twine each time to hold the plant. It said they grew much better that when individually staked. This is how I do it: http://albums.photo.epson.com/j/View...766&p=60247499 http://albums.photo.epson.com/j/View...766&p=60247632 I plant peas on the outside, the tomatoes on the inside. The tomatoes reach the trellis just about the time the peas are done. The stakes are buried a good two feet, and the whole thing has lasted 5 years so far. -- Julie |
#38
|
|||
|
|||
Tomato Spirals?
On Mon, 15 Mar 2004 23:11:24 GMT, "FDR"
wrote: "Frogleg" wrote in message .. . On Mon, 15 Mar 2004 18:53:10 GMT, "FDR" wrote: Frogleg wrote: On Mon, 15 Mar 2004 01:57:16 GMT, "FDR" wrote Looking through the Garden Tools by Lee Valley catalog, I came across a tomato staking method using spirals. Basically, it's a 6 foot long piece of metal that you push into the ground and it is spiraled all the way up. I like those cages from Gardener's supply too, but I can't see myself paying so much for them. If they were cheaper I'd definitely get them. Go somewhere like Home Depot and get a roll of 6" mesh concrete reinforcing wire. Ask about what kind of tool you need to cut the wire. Here's a rough illustration and directions: http://www.extension.umn.edu/project...37trellis.html This page suggests tying the cage to a stake, but if you snip off the bottom wire, you'll have a 6" multi-spike perimeter to put into the ground. These are sturdy, last for years and years, and do a good job of supporting the tomatoes. Though they are certainly sturdy, I don't think they'd be for me since my wife wouldn't appreciate the aesthetics or lack of easy storage capability. My dad used to just plant tomatoes in a row, and then make a tomato support system that looked like rail fences. He'd have uprights to pound into the ground, and use whatever scrap lumber he had around to make rails 2 or 3 of them several inches apart so you can reach between them to pick the fruit. If you are into aesthetics of unpainted scrap wood, paint it, you'll never know it's scrap. If you can't find scrap or don't want to, then buy wood, paint it white just like those white rail fences they show around the fields in Kentucky where they raise horses. Or buy some of that plastic stuff that can be drilled like wood, already the color you want it. They're easy to make anyone can lay pieces of wood across upright stakes, and pound a few nails or put a few screws through it into the uprights. you can put stabilizers across the gap between the rails on either side of the tomato plants, You can nail or screw them in, or notch toward the ends so they can just slip over the tops of the rails on either side and use one between every .. or every other tomato plant to keep the rails stable. Cross pieces should be used at least at each end. The longer the row the greater the need for stabilizers. I'd just make them in convenient lengths, 8' 10' whatever length lumber you have or want to use. All depends on how many plants you plant. I used to end up with around 40 plants each year. They're easy to store in that they are flat so each side can be laid one against the other and lean them against a shed wall, or inside the shed if you have a big one, or along side the wall of a garage or suspended overhead. You can alter things to suit your needs. ;-) Janice |
#39
|
|||
|
|||
Tomato Spirals?
On Mon, 15 Mar 2004 23:11:24 GMT, "FDR"
wrote: "Frogleg" wrote in message .. . On Mon, 15 Mar 2004 18:53:10 GMT, "FDR" wrote: Frogleg wrote: On Mon, 15 Mar 2004 01:57:16 GMT, "FDR" wrote Looking through the Garden Tools by Lee Valley catalog, I came across a tomato staking method using spirals. Basically, it's a 6 foot long piece of metal that you push into the ground and it is spiraled all the way up. I like those cages from Gardener's supply too, but I can't see myself paying so much for them. If they were cheaper I'd definitely get them. Go somewhere like Home Depot and get a roll of 6" mesh concrete reinforcing wire. Ask about what kind of tool you need to cut the wire. Here's a rough illustration and directions: http://www.extension.umn.edu/project...37trellis.html This page suggests tying the cage to a stake, but if you snip off the bottom wire, you'll have a 6" multi-spike perimeter to put into the ground. These are sturdy, last for years and years, and do a good job of supporting the tomatoes. Though they are certainly sturdy, I don't think they'd be for me since my wife wouldn't appreciate the aesthetics or lack of easy storage capability. My dad used to just plant tomatoes in a row, and then make a tomato support system that looked like rail fences. He'd have uprights to pound into the ground, and use whatever scrap lumber he had around to make rails 2 or 3 of them several inches apart so you can reach between them to pick the fruit. If you are into aesthetics of unpainted scrap wood, paint it, you'll never know it's scrap. If you can't find scrap or don't want to, then buy wood, paint it white just like those white rail fences they show around the fields in Kentucky where they raise horses. Or buy some of that plastic stuff that can be drilled like wood, already the color you want it. They're easy to make anyone can lay pieces of wood across upright stakes, and pound a few nails or put a few screws through it into the uprights. you can put stabilizers across the gap between the rails on either side of the tomato plants, You can nail or screw them in, or notch toward the ends so they can just slip over the tops of the rails on either side and use one between every .. or every other tomato plant to keep the rails stable. Cross pieces should be used at least at each end. The longer the row the greater the need for stabilizers. I'd just make them in convenient lengths, 8' 10' whatever length lumber you have or want to use. All depends on how many plants you plant. I used to end up with around 40 plants each year. They're easy to store in that they are flat so each side can be laid one against the other and lean them against a shed wall, or inside the shed if you have a big one, or along side the wall of a garage or suspended overhead. You can alter things to suit your needs. ;-) Janice |
#40
|
|||
|
|||
Tomato Spirals?
On Mon, 15 Mar 2004 23:11:24 GMT, "FDR"
wrote: "Frogleg" wrote in message .. . On Mon, 15 Mar 2004 18:53:10 GMT, "FDR" wrote: Frogleg wrote: On Mon, 15 Mar 2004 01:57:16 GMT, "FDR" wrote Looking through the Garden Tools by Lee Valley catalog, I came across a tomato staking method using spirals. Basically, it's a 6 foot long piece of metal that you push into the ground and it is spiraled all the way up. I like those cages from Gardener's supply too, but I can't see myself paying so much for them. If they were cheaper I'd definitely get them. Go somewhere like Home Depot and get a roll of 6" mesh concrete reinforcing wire. Ask about what kind of tool you need to cut the wire. Here's a rough illustration and directions: http://www.extension.umn.edu/project...37trellis.html This page suggests tying the cage to a stake, but if you snip off the bottom wire, you'll have a 6" multi-spike perimeter to put into the ground. These are sturdy, last for years and years, and do a good job of supporting the tomatoes. Though they are certainly sturdy, I don't think they'd be for me since my wife wouldn't appreciate the aesthetics or lack of easy storage capability. My dad used to just plant tomatoes in a row, and then make a tomato support system that looked like rail fences. He'd have uprights to pound into the ground, and use whatever scrap lumber he had around to make rails 2 or 3 of them several inches apart so you can reach between them to pick the fruit. If you are into aesthetics of unpainted scrap wood, paint it, you'll never know it's scrap. If you can't find scrap or don't want to, then buy wood, paint it white just like those white rail fences they show around the fields in Kentucky where they raise horses. Or buy some of that plastic stuff that can be drilled like wood, already the color you want it. They're easy to make anyone can lay pieces of wood across upright stakes, and pound a few nails or put a few screws through it into the uprights. you can put stabilizers across the gap between the rails on either side of the tomato plants, You can nail or screw them in, or notch toward the ends so they can just slip over the tops of the rails on either side and use one between every .. or every other tomato plant to keep the rails stable. Cross pieces should be used at least at each end. The longer the row the greater the need for stabilizers. I'd just make them in convenient lengths, 8' 10' whatever length lumber you have or want to use. All depends on how many plants you plant. I used to end up with around 40 plants each year. They're easy to store in that they are flat so each side can be laid one against the other and lean them against a shed wall, or inside the shed if you have a big one, or along side the wall of a garage or suspended overhead. You can alter things to suit your needs. ;-) Janice |
#41
|
|||
|
|||
Tomato Spirals?
On Mon, 15 Mar 2004 23:11:24 GMT, "FDR"
wrote: "Frogleg" wrote in message .. . On Mon, 15 Mar 2004 18:53:10 GMT, "FDR" wrote: Frogleg wrote: On Mon, 15 Mar 2004 01:57:16 GMT, "FDR" wrote Looking through the Garden Tools by Lee Valley catalog, I came across a tomato staking method using spirals. Basically, it's a 6 foot long piece of metal that you push into the ground and it is spiraled all the way up. I like those cages from Gardener's supply too, but I can't see myself paying so much for them. If they were cheaper I'd definitely get them. Go somewhere like Home Depot and get a roll of 6" mesh concrete reinforcing wire. Ask about what kind of tool you need to cut the wire. Here's a rough illustration and directions: http://www.extension.umn.edu/project...37trellis.html This page suggests tying the cage to a stake, but if you snip off the bottom wire, you'll have a 6" multi-spike perimeter to put into the ground. These are sturdy, last for years and years, and do a good job of supporting the tomatoes. Though they are certainly sturdy, I don't think they'd be for me since my wife wouldn't appreciate the aesthetics or lack of easy storage capability. My dad used to just plant tomatoes in a row, and then make a tomato support system that looked like rail fences. He'd have uprights to pound into the ground, and use whatever scrap lumber he had around to make rails 2 or 3 of them several inches apart so you can reach between them to pick the fruit. If you are into aesthetics of unpainted scrap wood, paint it, you'll never know it's scrap. If you can't find scrap or don't want to, then buy wood, paint it white just like those white rail fences they show around the fields in Kentucky where they raise horses. Or buy some of that plastic stuff that can be drilled like wood, already the color you want it. They're easy to make anyone can lay pieces of wood across upright stakes, and pound a few nails or put a few screws through it into the uprights. you can put stabilizers across the gap between the rails on either side of the tomato plants, You can nail or screw them in, or notch toward the ends so they can just slip over the tops of the rails on either side and use one between every .. or every other tomato plant to keep the rails stable. Cross pieces should be used at least at each end. The longer the row the greater the need for stabilizers. I'd just make them in convenient lengths, 8' 10' whatever length lumber you have or want to use. All depends on how many plants you plant. I used to end up with around 40 plants each year. They're easy to store in that they are flat so each side can be laid one against the other and lean them against a shed wall, or inside the shed if you have a big one, or along side the wall of a garage or suspended overhead. You can alter things to suit your needs. ;-) Janice |
#42
|
|||
|
|||
Tomato Spirals?
"DigitalVinyl" wrote in message news Frogleg wrote: On Mon, 15 Mar 2004 01:57:16 GMT, "FDR" wrote: Looking through the Garden Tools by Lee Valley catalog, I came across a tomato staking method using spirals. Basically, it's a 6 foot long piece of metal that you push into the ground and it is spiraled all the way up. The tomato plant grows into the spiral and gives natural support. Does anyone know what a full-grown tomato plant with fruit weighs? I think its gonna vary. MY bush last year was about 6' high and two foot around. I'd say the most tomatoes it had on it at once was about 10-12 lbs plus the weight of the plant itself, which i'd be wild-ass guessing is ?10,15,20? pounds. WHen I pulled them at end of season I thought they were heavier than expected. My vine, which actually ended up growing as two vines on two stakes, was probably less than that. I used the stackable tomato cages from Gardener's Supply. They are unfortunately expensive(like most of their catalog) but it made caging a 6' bush effortless. My neighbor liked how easy it was to harvest and they didn't keep sliding and collapsing down a stake when heavy with fruit. Neither of us do staking well. Plants always slide down and create tight bends. I am considering buying another four this year despite overpriced costs. What's your take on those tomato "ladders" that Gardener's Supply sells? |
#43
|
|||
|
|||
Tomato Spirals?
"DigitalVinyl" wrote in message news Frogleg wrote: On Mon, 15 Mar 2004 01:57:16 GMT, "FDR" wrote: Looking through the Garden Tools by Lee Valley catalog, I came across a tomato staking method using spirals. Basically, it's a 6 foot long piece of metal that you push into the ground and it is spiraled all the way up. The tomato plant grows into the spiral and gives natural support. Does anyone know what a full-grown tomato plant with fruit weighs? I think its gonna vary. MY bush last year was about 6' high and two foot around. I'd say the most tomatoes it had on it at once was about 10-12 lbs plus the weight of the plant itself, which i'd be wild-ass guessing is ?10,15,20? pounds. WHen I pulled them at end of season I thought they were heavier than expected. My vine, which actually ended up growing as two vines on two stakes, was probably less than that. I used the stackable tomato cages from Gardener's Supply. They are unfortunately expensive(like most of their catalog) but it made caging a 6' bush effortless. My neighbor liked how easy it was to harvest and they didn't keep sliding and collapsing down a stake when heavy with fruit. Neither of us do staking well. Plants always slide down and create tight bends. I am considering buying another four this year despite overpriced costs. What's your take on those tomato "ladders" that Gardener's Supply sells? |
#44
|
|||
|
|||
Tomato Spirals?
"DigitalVinyl" wrote in message news Frogleg wrote: On Mon, 15 Mar 2004 01:57:16 GMT, "FDR" wrote: Looking through the Garden Tools by Lee Valley catalog, I came across a tomato staking method using spirals. Basically, it's a 6 foot long piece of metal that you push into the ground and it is spiraled all the way up. The tomato plant grows into the spiral and gives natural support. Does anyone know what a full-grown tomato plant with fruit weighs? I think its gonna vary. MY bush last year was about 6' high and two foot around. I'd say the most tomatoes it had on it at once was about 10-12 lbs plus the weight of the plant itself, which i'd be wild-ass guessing is ?10,15,20? pounds. WHen I pulled them at end of season I thought they were heavier than expected. My vine, which actually ended up growing as two vines on two stakes, was probably less than that. I used the stackable tomato cages from Gardener's Supply. They are unfortunately expensive(like most of their catalog) but it made caging a 6' bush effortless. My neighbor liked how easy it was to harvest and they didn't keep sliding and collapsing down a stake when heavy with fruit. Neither of us do staking well. Plants always slide down and create tight bends. I am considering buying another four this year despite overpriced costs. What's your take on those tomato "ladders" that Gardener's Supply sells? |
#45
|
|||
|
|||
Tomato Spirals?
"FDR" wrote:
"DigitalVinyl" wrote in message news Frogleg wrote: On Mon, 15 Mar 2004 01:57:16 GMT, "FDR" wrote: Looking through the Garden Tools by Lee Valley catalog, I came across a tomato staking method using spirals. Basically, it's a 6 foot long piece of metal that you push into the ground and it is spiraled all the way up. The tomato plant grows into the spiral and gives natural support. Does anyone know what a full-grown tomato plant with fruit weighs? I think its gonna vary. MY bush last year was about 6' high and two foot around. I'd say the most tomatoes it had on it at once was about 10-12 lbs plus the weight of the plant itself, which i'd be wild-ass guessing is ?10,15,20? pounds. WHen I pulled them at end of season I thought they were heavier than expected. My vine, which actually ended up growing as two vines on two stakes, was probably less than that. I used the stackable tomato cages from Gardener's Supply. They are unfortunately expensive(like most of their catalog) but it made caging a 6' bush effortless. My neighbor liked how easy it was to harvest and they didn't keep sliding and collapsing down a stake when heavy with fruit. Neither of us do staking well. Plants always slide down and create tight bends. I am considering buying another four this year despite overpriced costs. What's your take on those tomato "ladders" that Gardener's Supply sells? I haven't bought one. They seem expensive, but since they are each 58" tall they can support five plants. The tomato cages are about 30" each, so you could only support 2 tall bushes for $30. So they are similar in price. They look like they would prevnet the sliding and bending we experienced. For me, my indeterminate ending up growing three vines(i did a POOR job pruning). Two of 'em I staked the third grew into the nearby tomato cage. At this point I'm thinking of just treating all of them like determinates and letting them bush. DiGiTAL ViNYL (no email) Zone 6b/7, Westchester Co, NY, 1 mile off L.I.Sound 2nd year gardener |
Reply |
Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Forum | |||
Tomato Spirals? | Edible Gardening | |||
tomato? Solanum or Lycopersicon potato was a mutated tomato some | Plant Science | |||
tomato? Solanum or Lycopersicon potato was a mutated tomato some 1 | Plant Science | |||
Tomato cages ( was Best place to buy tomato plants, etc.) | Texas | |||
Tomato cages ( was Best place to buy tomato plants, etc.) | Texas |