The string trellising method, often called the Florida Weave or basket weave, is an efficient, space-saving technique for supporting indeterminate tomato growth. Indeterminate varieties continue to grow and produce fruit throughout the entire season, requiring robust vertical support that traditional short tomato cages cannot provide. This method creates a supportive wall of twine that cradles the plants, keeping foliage and fruit off the soil where disease and pests thrive. Containing the plant’s growth vertically maximizes production in smaller areas and improves air circulation. This guide details the steps for implementing this effective system.
Essential Materials and Support Installation
Setting up the foundational structure requires materials chosen for strength and durability. You will need tall, sturdy vertical supports, such as metal T-posts, rebar, or heavy wooden stakes, measuring at least six to eight feet in height. These supports must withstand the substantial weight of mature, fruit-laden tomato plants. The twine itself should be a durable, weather-resistant type that resists stretching, such as synthetic baler twine or heavy-duty polypropylene.
For installation, the supports must be driven deep into the ground to ensure stability, typically at least 12 inches for adequate anchoring. The first T-post or stake should be placed a few inches from the first tomato plant in the row. Subsequent stakes are spaced down the row, with one stake supporting every two to three tomato plants, which are usually planted about 18 to 24 inches apart.
Proper spacing ensures the plants are firmly contained between the supports, allowing the twine to function effectively. The vertical supports should be positioned directly in line with the row of plants to facilitate the weaving process. Installing the stakes before the plants grow too large prevents accidental damage to the root system and makes the initial weaving easier. This framework provides the necessary anchor points for the continuous string support.
Step-by-Step String Weaving Method
The weaving process begins when the tomato plants are young, ideally between 12 and 20 inches tall, before they become too bushy or unstable. Start by securely tying the end of the twine to the first end stake, approximately six to twelve inches above the soil line. This first layer establishes the base support for the young stems.
From the first stake, run the twine horizontally down the row, ensuring it is pulled taut to maintain tension. The technique involves weaving the string between the stakes and the plant stems in a specific pattern. For the first pass, the string should pass behind the first plant, in front of the second, behind the third, and so on, until the next stake is reached.
Upon reaching a stake, the twine must be wrapped tightly around it multiple times before continuing. Wrapping the twine around the stake prevents the tension from sagging, which holds the plants upright. When the end of the row is reached, secure the twine firmly to the final stake, but do not cut it.
Immediately reverse direction and run the twine back down the row at the same height, but on the opposite side of the plants. This creates the “sandwich” or basket effect, holding each plant stem snugly between two parallel lines of twine. Tying off the twine at the starting stake completes the first layer, providing secure, two-sided support.
Timing, Pruning, and Ongoing Support
The string weave is a continuous process, requiring regular additions of new twine layers as the plants grow. New layers should be added every six to twelve inches of vertical growth, generally before the plant exceeds the height of the current top string. Proactively adding support ensures the stems never flop over, preventing breakage and maintaining vertical structure.
Effective string trellising relies on managing the plant’s growth habit through strategic pruning. Indeterminate varieties produce side shoots, called suckers, that grow in the axil between the main stem and a leaf branch. For this method, it is beneficial to remove most suckers, especially those developing below the first flower cluster, to train the plant to one or two main stems.
Pruning the plant to a single leader concentrates energy into the main vine and the fruit, making the tall, slender plant easier to contain within the narrow weave. Suckers should be removed when they are small, ideally less than two inches long, by pinching them off. As the season progresses and the plants become heavy with fruit, periodically check the twine tension and re-tighten or add supplementary ties if any section begins to sag or loosen.