Staking Tomato Plants
Tuesday, 06 July 2010 07:08 | 
Author: Lee Shafer |
Depending on whether you grow determinate, semi-determinate or indeterminate tomatoes, will determine whether you need to stake your tomatoes or not. Determinate plants do not typically need staking where both semi and determinate plants will sprawl and grow large volumes of tomatoes which will require staking the vines to keep them from breaking, during the growing season.
Depending on whether you grow determinate, semi-determinate or indeterminate tomatoes, will determine whether you need to stake your tomatoes or not. Determinate plants do not typically need staking where both semi and determinate plants will sprawl and grow large volumes of tomatoes which will require staking the vines to keep them from breaking, during the growing season.
In order to protect your tomatoes from both garden pests and critters as well as their own weight and plant size, staking is one of the most important things to do to your vines. Not only will it keep pests at bay, but it will keep the fruit clean and disease down. Staking will also keep branches from breaking and decaying on the ground and it will promote growth in a smaller space than allowing the vines to sprawl all over the growing area they are in.
We have used a number of different methods of staking tomatoes and we'll share them with you.
Of course, if you used my soil warming technique, you should have a tomato cage or two. These round ringed cages are pretty simple to use, however they can be a bit flimsy to use alone. What we do is use a piece of rebar or a wood stake and weave down through the rings on one side, pushing the stake into the soil until it becomes sturdy. Sometimes this may require tapping the stake with a hammer or other tool. This will keep the tomato cage rigid and will keep it from falling over with the weight of your plants.
As your tomato plants grow, simply coax/train the branches up and over the wire rings.
Metal Poles or Wood
This is another method of staking that I use, usually when the tomato is too large to place a tomato cage over. Okay, so I'm admitting that my staking is sometimes neglected, but for a very good reason....I like doing other things besides staking. Anyway, I pick up slat material from the hardware store, in 4 foot lengths. It's usually about $25 for 100 pieces. So it's pretty reasonable in price. You can also use bamboo poles, which are strong and pretty reasonable in price, depending on where you purchase them and how many you are buying. The slat material can be purchased in single pieces for around $.45 each at the larger home improvement centers.
With the slat material method, you will need to tie or clip the stakes to the stakes and/or cage. I would recommend cut or torn strips of cotton fabric (sheet, t-shirt) tied around the stake and carefully draped around the tomato stalk.
If you don't use clips, 1 inch strips of cotton fabric works well around the plant. Either cotton sheet or T-shirt material works well.
When tying the branches to the stake, always make sure the branch is only wrapped with the cotton strip, loosely and not a complete wrap. Then take the ends and wrap each end around the stake and tie on the opposing side of the tomato branch.
Ranch Fencing or Concrete Reinforcing Wire Tomato Cages
You can also use Ranch Fencing or concrete reinforcing wire, to build your own tomato cages. Just remember to find fencing that has large enough holes to get your tomatoes through. It comes in heights of 48 inches as well as taller and to use it, simply cut a piece about 37 - 40 inches long. This will make about a 12 inch circle to fit over your plant. Twist the cut ends together and create a circle. Place around your tomato plants. You'll probably need some reinforcing sticks or bars to keep them upright, but they do work quite well and help to keep larger critters from munching on your precious tomatoes.
Wood Ladder Style Frames
Another unique tomato frame is the wood ladder folding style. They actually form an A from over the top of the entire plant. These frames can be folded up at the end of the season and stored in very small areas. You can find an article on these at Mother Earth News.
Depending on whether you grow determinate, semi-determinate or indeterminate tomatoes, will determine whether you need to stake your tomatoes or not. Determinate plants do not typically need staking where both semi and determinate plants will sprawl and grow large volumes of tomatoes which will require staking the vines to keep them from breaking, during the growing season.
In order to protect your tomatoes from both garden pests and critters as well as their own weight and plant size, staking is one of the most important things to do to your vines. Not only will it keep pests at bay, but it will keep the fruit clean and disease down. Staking will also keep branches from breaking and decaying on the ground and it will promote growth in a smaller space than allowing the vines to sprawl all over the growing area they are in.
We have used a number of different methods of staking tomatoes and we'll share them with you.
Of course, if you used my soil warming technique, you should have a tomato cage or two. These round ringed cages are pretty simple to use, however they can be a bit flimsy to use alone. What we do is use a piece of rebar or a wood stake and weave down through the rings on one side, pushing the stake into the soil until it becomes sturdy. Sometimes this may require tapping the stake with a hammer or other tool. This will keep the tomato cage rigid and will keep it from falling over with the weight of your plants.
As your tomato plants grow, simply coax/train the branches up and over the wire rings.
Metal Poles or Wood
This is another method of staking that I use, usually when the tomato is too large to place a tomato cage over. Okay, so I'm admitting that my staking is sometimes neglected, but for a very good reason....I like doing other things besides staking. Anyway, I pick up slat material from the hardware store, in 4 foot lengths. It's usually about $25 for 100 pieces. So it's pretty reasonable in price. You can also use bamboo poles, which are strong and pretty reasonable in price, depending on where you purchase them and how many you are buying. The slat material can be purchased in single pieces for around $.45 each at the larger home improvement centers.
With the slat material method, you will need to tie or clip the stakes to the stakes and/or cage. I would recommend cut or torn strips of cotton fabric (sheet, t-shirt) tied around the stake and carefully draped around the tomato stalk.
If you don't use clips, 1 inch strips of cotton fabric works well around the plant. Either cotton sheet or T-shirt material works well.
When tying the branches to the stake, always make sure the branch is only wrapped with the cotton strip, loosely and not a complete wrap. Then take the ends and wrap each end around the stake and tie on the opposing side of the tomato branch.
Ranch Fencing or Concrete Reinforcing Wire Tomato Cages
You can also use Ranch Fencing or concrete reinforcing wire, to build your own tomato cages. Just remember to find fencing that has large enough holes to get your tomatoes through. It comes in heights of 48 inches as well as taller and to use it, simply cut a piece about 37 - 40 inches long. This will make about a 12 inch circle to fit over your plant. Twist the cut ends together and create a circle. Place around your tomato plants. You'll probably need some reinforcing sticks or bars to keep them upright, but they do work quite well and help to keep larger critters from munching on your precious tomatoes.
Wood Ladder Style Frames
Another unique tomato frame is the wood ladder folding style. They actually form an A from over the top of the entire plant. These frames can be folded up at the end of the season and stored in very small areas. You can find an article on these at Mother Earth News.
About the Author:
Learn more about heirloom vegetables. Stop by heirloomtomatopatch.com where you can find out all about staking heirloom tomatos and what it can do for you.
