This post may contain affiliate links .
Share this post or trap it for subsequently !
Supporting garden tomatoes with tomato interest or cages is necessary for all but a few variety of tomatoes .
We have had great luck with these metal cages from Gardener’s Supply.
Without some form of support , your tomato flora will sprawl out over the ground . It will likely get diseases that keep you from harvest much of the yield .
And it ’s crucial to get the right kind of supporting . But how do you determine whether to use Lycopersicon esculentum stakes or tomato cage ?
We ’ve done a portion of experiment to decide which method mould , and here we ’ll divvy up some consideration to facilitate you make a choice that will ferment for your garden .
The bare fact is this : adjudicate whether to use a coop or a stakes depends on a few factors , include the eccentric of tomato , how much pruning you need to do , and what sort of resource you have to spend .
This article discusses each of those considerations .
What do we mean by “Tomato Cage” vs. “Tomato Stake”?
A tomato cage is a variety of support solutions that direct your plant in the midriff of a bodily structure that surrounds it . It provides a variety of horizontal frames for the works to rest on at various levels . Cage can be made of metal or wood and can be storage - bought or homemade .
A Lycopersicon esculentum “ stake ” is one marvelous take made of Sir Henry Wood or alloy to which you sequester your tomato plant as it acquire . They are often sold in bundles and can even be homemade .
Tomato Cage Options
Cages depart greatly in their structure and strength . you’re able to choose acircular cage . Some rotary cages have horizontal band and erect rods that connect them . They come together toward the ground .
However , we have find out to be wary of the construction of these cages . You must prune your tomatoes for these cage to assert their weight . They also probably wo n’t last more than one or two season .
Square metal John Cage are much sturdier . They will last longer . And you wo n’t have to dress your plant as much for success , but they will cost you more .
There are a turn of other options like this , but be sure to look for “ wakeless duty ” metal cagesto get the best quality .
Homemade wooden cage are also an option . We followedthis tutorial on Mother Earth Newsto make cage that can be folded down over the wintertime ( on a hinge ) , and they have mould decently for us .
However , truth be told , the metallic element cage offer more resting place for your plant , so we obtain that they work a little spot well depending on the variety . The materials for these homemade wooden cage are low-cost and fairly easy to build with just a few tools .
These cages contain up well . You could always tote up a few extra horizontal supports to attend your tomatoes better .
Tomato Stake Options
Tomato interest are undivided posts made of wood or plastic that you pose next to your plant to offer support from the shopping centre as the works uprise . They are similar to grade stake ( like you might practice to mark your driveway ) but tall .
you’re able to usually find longer - length tomato stakes at a home plate improvement or horticulture store . For illustration , grade stake are often 36 inches , which might be fine depend on your variety of tomatoes , but we opt 48 - in love apple stakes .
We find that wooden or metal stake are stronger than moldable stakes . However , you should see what your local store offers and what operate for you . When you use stake , you ’ll also ask someplant ties or tapeto unattackable your Lycopersicon esculentum staunch to the stake .
So which is better for Tomatoes: Cages or Stakes?
The truth is , it depends(don’t you love that reply ? ) . There are several things to consider including the eccentric of tomato you are growing , how often you plan to prune the tomatoes , and the price you are willing to pass . Here we infract down these doubt to assist you in making a determination .
What type of tomatoes are you growing?
The first question to postulate about the tomatoes you ’re develop is if they are determinate or undetermined . Determinate plants are sometimes called “ bush ” diversity . Bush varieties grow to about 3 - 4 feet and are more compendious .
When they reach a certain height and bloom at that height , they block off growing taller and focus on bring about fruit . The fruit normally ripens in a condensed period , around the same sentence ( during a 1 - 2 week span ) .
Examples of some determinate diverseness include theseItalian Roma Bush Tomatoesfrom Botanical Interests , or theseRoma Paste Tomatoesfrom High Mowing Seeds .
Determinate tomato can do well with stakes since they stop growing at a certain height . The tomatoes fancy on stakes above are a definitive variety and much poor than our other plants .
Indeterminate tomatoes will continue to develop and produce fruit until the conditions are no longer worthy ( i.e. , shortened day or a frost ) . Depending on the motley , they can grow 6 – 12 feet high and pullulate branch out at all layer .
Examples of indeterminate types of tomato plant include these beautifulBrandywine Tomatoesfrom Botanical Interest or theseBing Cherry Tomatoesfrom High Mowing Seeds .
Indeterminate varieties do better with cages because they can reach such heights , but your cage needs to be up to the challenge and propose financial support at least six foot tall .
Of course , you may also use a post for an indeterminate variety if it ’s tall enough , but that contribute us to our next subject …
How much are you going to prune your tomatoes?
Pruning tomatoescan offer many benefits but is n’t always necessary . It all depends on how you support your tomato and can also be done to various arcdegree . Some people use a stake to keep their tomatoes to one central stem and get neat results . Others do n’t snip much and use a cage to pay for our want of time to make clean things up .
If you have a sturdy batting cage , you’re able to do less pruning without the risk of having your plant hang over . you’re able to focalize on clip stems that reach down toward the undercoat at the bottom of the industrial plant .
Occasionally , you must realize out above to set aside air to disseminate , but you may let more branch do their matter , especially with indeterminate variety . That suppose , you may desire to do some pruning toward the ending of the season to ascertain the formed fruit has time to ripen .
If you are using a stake , you ’ll need to prune almost all of the bottom lollipop , some of the new branch that constitute , and a lot of the down facing stems that do n’t have fruit . This path , you may safely tie up your plant and be certain the stakes will hold its weight . If you keep up with it , you may have a very clean - face plant with lots of fruit that produces quite well .
How much do you want to spend on Tomato Cages or Stakes?
Sometimes , the eccentric of backing you will use count on how much you require to spend on your solution . Leontyne Price and lastingness are related , and sometimes , the chinchy choice will do for a time of year . However , the more expensive option will belike last much longer and save time , money , and frustration in the long run .
Wooden love apple stakes will cost you about $ 1 - 4 each , depending on if you buy in bulk , plus the cost of a paradiddle or two of industrial plant ties ( $ 4 ) . So , you could stake eachtomato plantfor under $ 5 . They ’ll last a few seasons , but you ’ll have to keep up with the pruning to make them work , and they ’re probably good befit for definitive diversity .
Homemade wooden cage like the ones picture above will be you about $ 10 , plus the value of the time youspend give them . They ’ll last a good five age or more and provide more uncompromising support for heavier or grandiloquent tomatoes . They are a right choice for the gardener who is ready to hand with prick and is n’t looking for the “ perfect ” financial support .
Store - purchase metal cages can bleed anywhere from $ 10 – 30 each , depending on the mark and the material . Some are even cake for a longer - lasting answer . If stored well over the wintertime , they can last many old age .
We believe they do the best problem supporting tomatoes that are freely growing tall off - shoots . Like most expensive solutions , they ’re the “ set it and forget it ” answer . They are not always practical for the budget , but our strategy has been to buy one or two a yr when they are on sale to enlarge our aggregation .
