Tomato Trellises

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	Tomato Trellises Skip lends support to tomato gardeners.

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Transcript: Tomato Trellises

Hey, aren't you glad that winter is gone? You know, once we past our last average frost date, it's time to get out in the garden and plant tomatoes.

These plants are vines, they sprawl out along the ground, and without support, they'll allow the fruit to sit down in the dirt where diseases and insects can really be a problem. We need to support these tomatoes somehow.

The traditional way is to use tomato cages. You can purchase tomato cages, or you can take sections of concrete re-enforcing wire, about 5 feet long, bend them in a circle, and it makes about the right size or diameter of cage..

When you cut the bottom off, cut between two sections of wire so it allows these prongs to stick out. That way, you can push it down in the ground and it will be a firm support for your tomatoes. If you live in an area that gets some wind, you may also want to put a stake in the ground for a little added support -- attach the cage to that stake.

There are other options for supporting your tomatoes. I like to use livestock panels. Just place the panel at a slight angle and plant your tomatoes underneath it. You'll need some posts to support the top of the panel. The tomatoes will grow up and through it, and then you just take sections vine as they grow and lay them on the panel to force them in an upright direction and they'll continue to grow strong and it will provide a great support.

Another option is to use bamboo canes. Bamboo can be fastened into a type of grid work. Place the first section about 18 inches to 24 inches above the ground, then place another grid of bamboo about 2 feet above that.

So as every smart tomato plant can tell you, if want top production and quality fruit, do fence me in. With your common sense tip on putting tomatoes behind bars, I'm Skip Richter.

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Last Updated: July 6, 2006