A Complete Guide To The Best Tomato Plant Support Methods

by John Griffith Apr 5, 2023 @ 14:22

If you want juicy, delicious tomatoes in your garden, then you need to give the plant the proper support. In general, tomatoes can grow pretty much any way – left, right, up, down. And different gardeners have different growing preferences. Some prefer to let their tomatoes grow wild and bushy in a cage, while other like to keep them pruned and tidy. It depends a lot on the growing space you are working with, the variety of the plant and how much you like to get your hands dirty. However, all gardeners agree that you do need some type of tomato plant support. Having good support helps to maximize sun exposure, encourages better air circulation, reduces the occurrence of pests and so much more. All of these benefits help you produce healthy plants and a bountiful harvest. So, let’s see what type of support systems you can choose from.

All gardeners agree that you do need some type of tomato plant support

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Best Tomato Plant Support Methods
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Best Tomato Plant Support Methods

Having proper tomato plant support helps to encourage growth, reduces the occurrence of soil borne diseases, helps you fit more plants into your growing space, makes pruning way easier, as well as harvesting. There really isn’t any downsides to adding some type of support. It will only benefit your experience and the plant’s growth. That’s why today we will show you some of the best ways to support your tomato plants.

Having proper tomato plant support helps to encourage growth

#Stakes

Stakes are a classic way of supporting tomatoes. It has been done for centuries and you can use a variety of materials. Use wooden stakes, bamboo stakes, or even metal stakes. The only thing you need to make sure is that they are at least 4 feet high. The main downside to using stakes is that you will have to keep tying the plant up over the course of its growth, but it is an effective and cheap support method. Just make sure you tie the stems loosely to the stakes with some fabric or twine.

Stakes are a classic way of supporting tomatoes

#Cages

Tomato cages are a very popular and cheap support method. Made from wire, these cages can come in a cylinder shape or a rectangular shape. Their open design really allows for good air circulation, which helps reduce the risk of diseases cause by humidity and excess moisture. They are also very easy to install. Their main issue with tomato cages is that they can be a bit flimsy and can start to topple once the plant has grown top-heavy with fruit and foliage. That’s why they are recommended for more compact tomato varieties. You can also look for heavy-duty cages or secure them with a heavy stake that is driven at least a foot deep into the soil.

Tomato cages are a very popular and cheap support method

#Tripods

Tomato tripods, or also known as tomato tuteurs, are created by putting three stakes into a basic tripod shape. This construction is the perfect choice for windier regions, as it has some extra stability. Once the plants start growing, just train it on the upwind stake. The weight of the harvest and plant will help anchor the trellis even more into the ground, making it sturdier. This type of support method is also very easy to put together and can be reused year after year. The main downside to this method is that if you are using wood, it will need some maintenance to stay good. But you can use other materials.

This construction is the perfect choice for windier regions

#Trellis

You can make your very own trellis. While these may be a bit harder for beginners, you can train your tomatoes to a single vine. This way you will achieve maximum production rates. It really pays off, making growing and harvesting a breeze. A downside to this type of support that it does take some time, money, and effort to build. You will need stake, twine, and plenty of space, but it is worth it.

A downside to this type of support that it does take some time, money, and effort to build

These were some of the best tomato plant support methods for a bountiful harvest and healthy plants. We hope you found this article useful. Now you know all the ways you can properly support your beautiful tomato plants.

These were some of the best tomato plant support methods for a bountiful harvest

John Griffith

John Griffith is a young, passionate journalist. Writing has been John’s hobby ever since he was a boy. He has worked in some of the UK’s most successful news portals over the course of his professional career but found his forever home at Archzine.