Tomatoes do not possess the structural rigidity to support their own weight as they mature and set fruit. These plants naturally sprawl across the ground, which leads to problems for the developing crop. Keeping the foliage and fruit elevated above the soil is necessary for a healthy harvest. When plants touch the damp ground, they become vulnerable to soil-borne diseases and pests. Supporting the plant vertically also promotes better air circulation, helping foliage dry quickly and reducing the risk of fungal infections.
Timing the Support and Preparing Materials
The right time to install support is when tomato plants are young, ideally under 12 to 18 inches tall. Delaying installation risks damaging the developing root system when driving stakes or cages into the soil. It is best practice to place the support structure immediately after transplanting seedlings into the garden.
The necessary materials depend on the plant’s growth habit, categorized as determinate or indeterminate. Determinate varieties, often called “bush” types, grow to a preset height, usually three to four feet, and produce fruit within a short, concentrated period. These plants require less intense support, such as shorter stakes or cages.
Indeterminate varieties, known as “vining” types, continue to grow, flower, and produce fruit until frost, potentially reaching heights of six to ten feet. These plants require much taller and more robust support structures to manage their continuous growth and heavy fruit load. Materials needed include stakes made of wood, metal, or rebar, and soft tying materials like garden twine, stretchy fabric strips, or specialized plant clips.
The Staking Method
The staking method involves using a single, sturdy vertical support for each plant, training the main stem to grow upward. For indeterminate varieties, the stake should be six to eight feet tall, driven at least 12 inches deep into the soil to ensure stability. The stake should be placed two to five inches away from the main stem to avoid root damage and allow for stem expansion.
As the plant grows, the main stem must be secured to the stake every 10 to 12 inches of vertical growth. The proper technique involves creating a loose figure-eight loop with the tie material. This design places the stake in one loop and the plant stem in the other, preventing the stem from rubbing directly against the abrasive stake surface.
Using soft materials like specialized plant clips or strips of fabric is preferable to thin wire or harsh twine, as these options will not cut into the stem as it expands. The tie should be loose enough to allow movement and stem growth, typically leaving about the width of two fingers between the tie and the stem. Regular checks are necessary to loosen or adjust ties, preventing constriction that can restrict nutrient flow.
Using Tomato Cages
Tomato cages provide support by encasing the entire plant, allowing the branches to rest on the horizontal wires or mesh as they grow outward. This method is particularly well-suited for determinate, or bushy, varieties that are shorter and produce a concentrated fruit set. A cage that is four feet tall is generally adequate for these bush types.
Most conical, store-bought cages are too flimsy and short to support the weight and height of indeterminate tomatoes, which can easily topple a weak structure. For these vining varieties, a heavy-duty cage made from thick welded wire or concrete mesh is recommended, standing at least five to six feet tall with a wide diameter of 24 to 30 inches. These robust cages are sunk several inches into the ground and often require additional staking to prevent them from falling over under a heavy load.
Unlike staking, caging usually does not require constant tying, as the plant’s branches are simply tucked inside the structure as they grow. The increased foliage provides natural shade for the fruit, which can help prevent sunscald. However, the dense growth within a cage can restrict air circulation, potentially increasing the risk of fungal disease if pruning is neglected.
Trellising and the Florida Weave
The Florida Weave is an effective trellising technique commonly used for supporting multiple tomato plants in a row. This method involves using strong end posts with intermediate stakes spaced every two to three plants down the row. Sturdy T-posts or wooden stakes, six to eight feet tall, are driven securely into the ground to withstand the lateral force of a mature tomato row.
Heavy-duty, non-stretching twine is secured to one end post, usually about eight inches above the ground. The twine is then run down the row, weaving between the plants and the stakes in an alternating pattern. For example, the twine will pass in front of the first plant, behind the second, and in front of the third.
Upon reaching the end post, the twine is wrapped securely and then woven back down the row at the same height, but on the opposite side of each plant. This creates a “sandwich” effect, supporting the plants from both sides without requiring individual ties. Additional layers of twine are added every six to twelve inches of vertical growth, providing continuous lateral support as the plants mature.