In article ,
"FDR" wrote:

"Katra" wrote in message
...
In article ,
"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. The ad
claims
that it is the most popular way to do it in Europe.

Has anybody actually tried these? They are $4.50 a piece and seem like
a
bargain. I just don't know how sturdy they are.

I'd like to try staking this year. Just don't know what method to use.




I'd sure give it a shot!!!
It sounds wunnerful.

The only downside I can see is that they'd be to short.

That's why I went for the 7' stakes. G



Traditional tomato cages are almost worthless imho.
I've had better luck using 7 ft. x 1" stakes and just carefully tying
the vine to the stake and to itself as it grew.

Do you use bamboo?

Plastic. They look like green plastic re-bar. I get them from Lowe's for
about $4.50 each, but they last for years!

K.

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