Serious Tomatoe Cages
The big project of the weekend was building our tomato cages. Commercial tomato cages just aren’t strong enough to hold up an 8-foot tall heirloom tomato plant, which is what I am aiming for! Our wonderful neighbor gave us some leftover cow fence, and my hubby went to work. For each cage, he cut two eight-foot lengths of 4-foot fencing, which he wired together into a nice, big circle that is eight feet tall.
The Tomato Cages Stand At Attention
Each tomato plant is encircled in its beautiful cage, which is secured with 8-foot steel poles pounded a couple of feet into the ground. These will provide our plants with all the support that they need, and I can easily reach into the cages to tend the plants and pick the tomatoes. These cages are the best ever and were totally free thanks to our generous neighbor. The cages will last us the rest of our lives, and we can also use them to grow peas and other vertical crops, too!
Is it ok to use these types of cages if they are rusted?
Hi Wally, I’m not sure, but I think it’s fine. We’ve had our cages for well over a year now, but they haven’t rusted at all. But I don’t think a little rust would hurt. If anyone knows otherwise, please comment!
I found a good way to stake tomatoes this year and it really works.
I put fence posts in the ground about 6 foot apart, then planted two plants per 6 foot spand, and ran 20 gage wire just as the tomatoes started growing. I used shower rings and clipped the plant to the wire and when it got bigger i put up another wire but on the other side of the plant, so the plants weave through the wire. It really works great, the tomato plants stay upright, and you can pick the tomatoes without digging your hand into the cages.
Great idea, Kim. I might try this method with my blackberry vines next year!
You are so right—they were stink bugs and we were infested with them. I had beautiful plants with healthy foliage, and the bugs “stung” our tomatoes, so we were able to harvest very little. I will not be daunted!
I loved your information about Atlanta. Jane
Next time, try harvesting the tomatoes a little earlier. As long as they have started to ripen, you can finish them off on your kitchen counter. Beat the bugs!
I am so delighted to find your blog after reading about you in a Tallahassee magazine. We also just moved to Monticello and have 5 acres of old, weedy farm field to work with. We are trying many of the techniques you are using with a dream of healthy, organic vegetables and fruits for us and to share. Our biggest problem was an infestation of squash bugs that ruined our squash and tomatoes last year. Very discouraging! But we are game to try again.
Hi Jane – I am delighted that you found our blog, too, and welcome to Monticello. It’s a great place to live. Squash bugs are a pain in the neck, but don’t get discouraged! Are you sure they weren’t stink bugs? We have had some problems with them. There are a few things you can do to combat them. I’ll add them to my list of gardening topics to write about. Nice to virtually “meet” you!