What is the best way to stake a tomato plant?

Question

I grow a lot of tomato plants and by the time they get heavy with fruit, they start breaking down. would like to know the 'right' way to grow them.

Answer 1

There is a steel mesh used to reinforce concrete. it is sold in hardware stores. It is about 4-5 feet wide, is steel wire that is welded in a grid, with the steel wire forming squares about 6-8 inches square. It can be cut with strong wire cutters and formed into a circle about 10-12 inches in diameter. Secure it with wire and slip it over the tomato plant, secure it at the bottom with long stakes so it does not tip.

The branches will grow through the wire and support the fruit. Some tomato plants will grow up to 6 feet so if you make it higher you will get the most from your plants. It may rust, but should last for years.

Answer 2

I use the biggest tomato cages I could find and wire them to 1x1 stakes pounded into the ground on either side. I usually do about 20 plants a year and some get so huge they'll flop a tomato cage right over if it gets any wind.
If I was starting from scratch, I'd use Donnas idea, I've seen cages made from the big mesh wire that were 6 ft high and they were awsome. The ones I saw were more like 20 inches across, you just reached through the mesh to harvest tomatoes.

Answer 3

Any type metal cage is best, depending on the space you have available. Tomatos thirve on static electricty, hence the metal, and tying them up for support with old nylons also help with the static, plus it is taught and flexible at the same time. Rolls of wire work great, but if you are using other plants in conjuction with your tomatos to help deter insects, i.e: Marigolds and Basil you will want a little more accessabilty to your plants

Answer 4

I find using the tomato hoops work better than anything, as long as you set the hoops while the plants are small enough. That way, as the fruit gets bigger, you can situate the branches so there's no breakage.

Answer 5

There another way excellent way. "Upside down Tomatoes". Also helps preventing certain insects to get to the fruits and it's a total show stopper (if potted in a nice pot) with a huge gratification as well. Here is a link that explains how:
http://www.minifarmhomestead.com/gardening/tomato.htm
http://www.natorp.com/STips-Tomatoes-GrowingUpsideDown.pdf
http://www.seedsofknowledge.com/tomato2.html
http://www.growyourgarden.com/planting_topys_turvy.htm
http://www.stripersonline.com/ubb547/image_uploads4/turvy.jpg

Answer 6

I grow tomatoes every year. I usually buy 1X1 lumber strips. Cut them into 4 ft. lengths. Drive them into the ground beside your plant. Tie the plant to them with heavy string.

Answer 7

I always use tomato cages for mine. They offer more support for the plant

Answer 8

Donna has raised Maters before, Hardware store has all types of welded wire you can use

Answer 9

I always cage mine and Donna S is right.