The tomatillo is a nightshade family member often mistaken for a green tomato, but its cultivation presents unique structural needs. Tomatillos exhibit an indeterminate growth habit, meaning they continue to grow and produce fruit until frost. This continuous growth, combined with the plant’s natural tendency to spread widely, makes providing support highly recommended for a successful and efficient harvest.
Why Tomatillo Plants Require Structure
Tomatillo plants possess a sprawling growth habit that can quickly overtake garden space if left unsupported. The stems are not robust enough to manage the weight of a high yield, especially as the plant grows to its mature height and width. Without external aid, the branches loaded with fruit will bend and break, causing significant damage to the plant and loss of the harvest.
Allowing the plant’s foliage and fruit to rest directly on the soil surface creates several disease risks. Contact with moist ground promotes the development of soil-borne pathogens, including fungal diseases and rot. Keeping the plant upright enhances airflow, helping the plant dry quickly and inhibiting fungal growth. Furthermore, fruit resting on the ground becomes an easy target for garden pests, including slugs and snails.
Choosing the Right Support Method
Gardeners have several effective methods for managing the bushy and sprawling nature of tomatillos. One common method involves using the traditional wire tomato cage, which works well to contain the plant’s outward spread. However, the lightweight, cone-shaped cages often sold commercially may prove too flimsy to adequately support a mature, heavy-producing tomatillo plant and often require additional anchoring.
Single staking involves driving a tall, sturdy stake near the main stem of the plant. As the tomatillo grows, the main stems are secured to the stake at regular intervals using soft material to prevent girdling. This method provides strong vertical support but requires consistent monitoring and tying as the plant rapidly increases in height.
A more efficient option for gardeners with multiple plants in a row is the coralling technique, often called the Florida Weave. This method uses tall, durable end posts placed at the ends of the plant row. Heavy-duty twine or poly string is then woven between the posts and around the plants, creating a supportive “sandwich” that corrals the row together. New lines of twine are added every eight to twelve inches as the plants gain height, which eliminates the need to tie each individual stem.
Installation Timing and Techniques
The effectiveness of any support structure is highly dependent on installing it early in the plant’s life cycle. Supports should ideally be placed immediately after transplanting the seedling into the garden bed, or at least before the plant reaches twelve inches in height. Delaying installation risks damaging the plant’s developing root system when driving stakes into the soil.
When using individual stakes or cages, the support must be set deeply into the ground to ensure stability against wind and the plant’s increasing weight. Proper tying techniques are necessary to prevent stem injury that restricts the movement of water and nutrients. Gardeners should use soft materials, such as fabric strips or specialized garden tape, and employ a figure-eight loop around both the stem and the stake. This technique ensures the stem is held securely without being tightly constricted, allowing for natural expansion as the plant matures.