by farawaysis

Created on: August 24, 2009   Last Updated: August 26, 2009

Establishing support for your tomato plants is crucial. When these plants are in full production, they end up carrying an enormous amount of fruit that can easily cause stress and/or breakage to the plant itself. Nothing can be more disappointing than to see your plants broken. Environmental conditions such as a windy day or a thunderstorm can lead to breakage as well. Here are some great ideas for providing your tomato plants some excellent support.

[Tomato Stakes]

You can purchase some tomato stakes at your local garden center or substitute them with long pieces of thick bamboo. The best time to put your stakes down into the ground is before the plant gets transplanted. The reason for this is because the roots can become damaged if the stake is hammered in after the plant. For additional support, you can run a rope down the entire row (middle length of your stakes height), wrap and weave (in and out) of each stake. This rope will allow you to tie up the loose branches that form between the plants.

[Wire Fence]

Using a wire fence attached to some fence posts can offer more support than using stakes. You can use just about any kind, but cattle wire works the best. Weaving the plant (in and out) of the square openings and tying the loose branches onto the fence will provide plenty of support for your tomato plants.

[Cages]

Cages can be purchased at your local garden center or you can make your own out of wire fence. If you choose to make your own, make sure it will be big enough to go around the plant. After estimating, cut the fence with some wire cutters then connect it together with small pieces of wire, until you have created a round shaped tube. Gently place the cage around the plant, once it is in the ground.

[Trellises]

Trellises can be used if you are growing small fruited tomato plants. Large breeds of tomato plants don't usually do well on these because of the tiny holes on the fence itself.

* Helpful Note

When tying up your tomato plants, use a soft-like material and keep moving your ties as your plants grow (usually every 4 to 7 days). Using a nylon type of string is a bad idea because it can easily cut into the tomato plant if a windy day or thunderstorm should occur. Purchasing a bag of some pipe cleaners are perfect and inexpensive. They can even be reused in your garden for the following year.

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