In article , Cindy Huffman wrote:
(Bill) wrote in
m:

I'm still trying to figure out the best way to stake or cage tomatoes.
I've found this website that evaluates the different techniques:

http://www.mastergardeners.org/picks...o_staking.html

The Square Wooden Cage technique seems possible. Instead of using
rods, I might use string or wire. Wire might be easier to thread
through the holes.

Bill

"Anne Lurie" wrote in message
.com...
When I looked at Craig Lehoullier's website
http://nctomatoman.topcities.com/Fro..._Mar_03_04.htm
and looked at the "2003 Growout Spreadsheet" which has links to photos
of the tomato plants, I was struck by the fact that *all* the tomato
plants seem to be staked. I had given up growing determinate varieties
because I had difficulty staking some of them, but using tomato cages
last year did not work well for me.

I'm sure that many on this group have good luck with the various cages,
but I just can't see myself dealing with 6-foot tall cages (or storing
them over the winter).


Storing? I remove the vines from the cages and lift them above the
dirt that got pulled up around the bottom and just leave them out int he
open. Standing discretely in a natural area near the garden. They
don't really need to be put out of the weather.

Not the concrete reinforcing wire cages do need to be staked. I use
metal rebar. Two per cage driven in the ground about 2 feet and tied to
the cage.
Anne Lurie
NE Raleigh


Two years ago, I staked my tomato plants after my tomatoes took over the
tomato cages. **I used leftover lattice and stabilized it with a frame. I
placed it between my rows of tomatoes and used those plastic tie-thingies
around the lattice openings and the tomatoes (so two rows of tomatoes
shared the same stake).** This worked wonderfully for me.

The only thing I would do different (and didn't get a chance to do last
year) would be placing my tomatoes towards the back of my garden, because
this set-up ended up blocking some sunlight from some of my other plants.
I plan to do this same set up this year.

**Replace "I" with "my husband", because he put the lattice-frame together
for me. :-)

Cindy


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