Tomato plants, despite being vigorous growers, possess relatively weak stems that struggle to support the weight of mature fruit as it develops. Allowing plants to sprawl on the ground increases the risk of soil-borne pathogens infecting foliage and fruit, such as Phytophthora infestans (late blight). Keeping the plant canopy elevated also improves air circulation, which is a major factor in reducing fungal diseases like powdery mildew and bacterial spot. Providing structural support is therefore a necessary cultural practice to maximize yield, improve fruit quality, and maintain overall plant health throughout the season.
Understanding Tomato Growth Habits
The requirement for support is heavily influenced by the plant’s genetic growth pattern, which falls into two main categories: determinate and indeterminate. Determinate varieties, often called bush tomatoes, grow to a specific, finite height, produce flowers and fruit at the terminal bud, and then cease major vertical vegetative growth. These plants require less intensive support because their compact growth is contained and their fruit tends to ripen within a short, concentrated window.
Indeterminate varieties, conversely, exhibit continuous vegetative growth, producing new leaves and fruit clusters throughout the entire season until frost. These vining types can easily reach heights exceeding eight feet and require robust, continuous structural assistance. Understanding the plant type is the first step in selecting the most effective support system.
Individual Support: Staking
One of the most straightforward methods for keeping a single tomato plant upright is staking, which involves driving a strong vertical pole next to the main stem. Stakes made of heavy-duty materials like metal rebar, thick bamboo, or sturdy wooden posts should be installed when the plant is young, ideally immediately after transplanting. Placing the stake early prevents accidental damage to the developing root system, which can extend laterally up to three feet.
As the tomato plant grows vertically, the main stem must be secured to the stake at regular intervals, typically every 10 to 12 inches of new growth. Use soft materials, such as cloth strips, specialized plant tape, or pliable garden twine, to prevent the tie from cutting into the expanding stem tissue. Never use thin wire or narrow string, which can easily girdle the stem and restrict the flow of water and nutrients.
The figure-eight tying technique is recommended because it creates a protective buffer between the stake and the main stem. This method involves looping the tie material around the rigid stake, twisting it once between the stake and the plant, and then looping it around the stem before securing the knot. This loose loop allows for necessary stem expansion and prevents the plant from rubbing directly against the stake, which could cause abrasion injury.
Enclosed Support: Caging
Caging offers a hands-off approach to support by providing a three-dimensional structure that the plant grows within, reducing the need for constant tying. While small, conical wire cages are widely available, they are often inadequate for the vigorous growth and heavy fruit load of most tomato varieties. The most effective cages are constructed from heavy-gauge, welded wire mesh, such as concrete reinforcing wire, which provides superior strength and height capacity.
Effective cages should be at least five feet tall and have openings approximately six inches wide to allow for comfortable pruning and harvesting access. These sturdy enclosures must be placed over the young plant early in the season and anchored securely into the soil with separate stakes or rebar to prevent tipping under the weight of mature fruit. The plant’s main branches are gently guided to rest on the horizontal wires of the cage as they expand outward.
This support method is well-suited for determinate varieties, which are naturally bushier and do not require the continuous vertical training of indeterminate types. The cage supports the main branches from all sides, keeping the entire structure contained and the fruit off the soil surface. Allowing the plant to fill the cage naturally reduces the maintenance time associated with weekly tying.
Row Support: Trellising and Weaving
For growers managing multiple plants in a straight line, linear support systems like trellising or the “Florida Weave” technique offer an efficient solution. The Florida Weave involves establishing a row of sturdy posts, such as wooden stakes or metal T-posts, placed between every one or two plants, or every three to five feet down the row. The end posts must be strong and well-anchored to withstand the accumulated tension from the weight and the tight string lines.
The weaving process begins by running a durable line of twine or wire, such as polypropylene baler twine, from the first end post and tightly wrapping it around the intermediate posts. The line passes along one side of the plants, wraps around the post, and then returns down the opposite side, effectively “cinching” the plants between two parallel lines of string. This technique creates a supportive wall that guides the plants upward and provides lateral stability.
New horizontal support lines must be added every six to twelve inches of vertical growth to continuously capture the developing stems and foliage. This frequent training provides both lateral stability and vertical guidance for vining, indeterminate tomato varieties. The woven support prevents the plants from leaning out of the row, while the open structure promotes optimal light penetration and air movement, which discourages disease.