skip to main content

Growing Tomatoes

Attention Texas Tomato Cage owners! I need your advice!

12 years ago

I'm ready to order some cages, but I don't know if I should get the 20 or 24 inch. 20 will probably be enough, since I live in a foggy area, and so far I haven't had a lot of success with tomatoes (they grow, but not like they did farther inland). But before I invest my $159 I'd like to hear from you.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (8)

simmran1
12 years ago
tomato,

I have the 24" for growing the large indeterminates, but 20" but probably do well for you. Your advantage is planting those varieties that people deem as susceptable to sunscald. - R.S.
natal
12 years ago
I've used the 18" (no longer made) for the past 3 years. They work fine for all my tomatoes.
Related Discussions
Can I use this to make tomato cages?
Q
Comments (7)
A couple of years ago, we purchased 8' x 16' sheets of CRW to do an approach for our driveway. Long story short - we ended up not using it for that. (Thank you, Cleveland County road resurfacing!) And then I found out about making tomatoe cages with them..LORDY...was that a God-send! They have the 6" squares that make it so easy to stick your hand thru and tuck in any strays that think they can grow outside the cage! (We tell them often "No arms outside the cage!!") Our panels are 2' across by 6' tall after they were all cut up. We use them as 3-sided cages. We use cheap zip-strips to join them. At the end of the season, just a few snips and they fold flat for storage! This year, we used them in new raised beds and it only took 5 of the panels to make a cage for 2 plants. Imagine an ellongated diamond shape with a line across the middle. They work great and I imagine we'll have them for years & years. Yes, they are rusted...as in VERY. But do you really want something shiney to attract the attention of critters? or worse yet...someone who won't grow their own? LOL! I don't think you'll ever be sorry with your find. In the long run, these are way less expensive than other ways of caging. And so it's not shiney....use the money you save to buy something that is...(like....tell DH you need some new bling!) Paula
...See More
Need advice for fall tomatoes in Central Texas!
Q
Comments (19)
I start mine from seed for Fall tomatoes. It gives me opportunity to try more varieties and I can start fresh with healthy, vigorous plants. I put mine out in the second half of July, but late July or early August sounds ok for Austin. Your first flowers my not set fruit because it's too hot, but then again a cool front could blow in during the last half of September. Be sure to use plenty of mulch around the plants. This will help moderate soil temps and ensure moister soil. If you use grass clippings don't pile it too high at first because it will mat up and don't place the clippings directly on the stem because it can burn them. In the end though, I would put at least a 3 or 4 inch layer of mulch. To avoid disease don't water the folage and water in the morning. The mulch will help prevent spalsh back also. As far as varities, the early varities have worked best for me and also the smaller fruited varities. Some mid-season work ok too, but I wouldn't bet on getting much if any fruit from the late season types. Stupice and black cherry did best for me last Fall, and Eva Purple Ball did ok. Finally, make sure the area you plant in will still get sufficient sun even as the days become shorter. One of the areas I planted in last year got 7 or 8 hours of sun in July but maybe only 5 by November. Good Luck. Pet
...See More
New home owner in East Texas, too late to plant ...
Q
Comments (5)
Congratulations on your new place. Roto-tilling alone can do a number on some grasses, but not all.... especially Bermuda. Much better to remove or kill it first. Since removing is hard without a sod cutter, we solarize when feasible (enough time & right weather) and will use the minimum required dose of grass killer when not. After it's dead, we cut it as short as possible, roto-till, then rake out the roots and debris once the tilled clay has dried out a bit. Not too bad for a typical suburban lawn, but could be tedious for larger spaces. Another step we've found helpful, is to water the cleared space and till it again once the weed seeds have germinated. We try to do this a couple times to deplete the banked seeds before mulching (or sodding) the area. Solarization article mentions using clear plastic, though any color seems to work with our triple-digit heat. We've used whatever has been available (clear, black, orange, blue,...) with good results. Also don't believe we've needed to keep the plastic down for more than three weeks to kill grass in August. Here is a link that might be useful: Soil Solarization for Gardens & Landscapes
...See More
Texas Tomato Cages....the deal
Q
Comments (43)
I didn't think it was possible, but I have a Caspian Pink, grown from seed, that has overwhelmed and bent a TTC. It is growing on the site of last year's compost pile. I staked it when it went in the ground as well as pushing-in the cage around it. I removed the lower down- facing branches and pinched out a few suckers. Last week on a windy day I noticed the plant listing to one side. At first I thought the plant had just pushed off the top extension, but no, the legs are bent. I tried to support it by driving in poles around the rings to almost no effect. It's going over. I plan to park some old lawn furniture under it so it doesn't touch the ground while ripening its fruit. Maybe I shouldn't have sited it where compost was made. I think I should have pruned more aggressively. Do you guys push in the legs all the way to the first ring? Has this happened to anyone else? -Judy
...See More
tomatotomata
Original Author
12 years ago
Thanks for the input. Guess I'll go with the 20'.
ticodxb
12 years ago
simmran1, which tomato varieties did you grow with the 24" ones? I am thinking of buying some Texas tomato cages when I visit my family in the US next time and bring then back here to Dubai (if I can get the box to be one of my free check -in bags!)

I would just like an idea of
what varieties get big enough to fill out a 24" cage :)
homegardenpa
12 years ago
First off, let it be said that I use the 20" cages and a few of the old 18" cages and they work out fine.

That being said, in response to this "which tomato varieties did you grow with the 24" ones?" I would imagine that just about any of the indeterminate varieties would eventually fill out a 24" cage (Ones I know that could are NAR and Big Beef - I've had NARs fill out 20" cages to a height of 7-8ft before they started growing back down the side) - The reason I never used the 24s is that I feel like it takes too long before the plants are actively being held by a cage that wide. I would feel the need to stake and / or tie-off the plant until it was full enough. That just seems like more work to me. You might not have to tie them off - that I don't know, but I've grown some monster plants in the 18" and 20" cages without a problem.

Certain larger fruited varieties may sometimes be a little cramped if they develop a cluster of 4 or 5 right in the center of the cage where the bulk of the stems are - but I've not lost any fruit or production from that. I can't see going wrong with a 20" cage, to be honest.
johnny_tomato_seed
12 years ago
I have all sizes, 18", 20" and 24". 18" is definitely. What I like about the 20" is that I can use with the 18 gallon SWC.
plainolebill
11 years ago
We've had both the 18" and 24" for about 8 years. They are spendy but there is nothing that I've seen that is nearly as good. We have a limited amount of garden space which also translates into limited storage space or I'd make my own from rewire. These fold flat and I can store all 12 of my cages in an area about 2 foot wide by a foot or so deep.

The 18" cages aren't really large enough for a full sized indeterminant tomato but we grow stupice and some skinnier varieties in these cages.

I can't recommend them highly enough.
sue_ct
11 years ago
I use the 24" BUT always grew indeterminates until this year, since I decided to try one determinate. I am zone 5-6 (on the line). I might try the 20" next. I am very happy with the 24" but I am not sure they are REALLY necessary, and if the 20" are less expensive, I am sure they will be fine. I kinda like the idea of having both sizes. :)

Related Stories

EDIBLE GARDENS Summer Crops: How to Grow Tomatoes

By Marianne Lipanovich

Plant tomato seedlings in spring for one of the best tastes of summer, fresh from your backyard

FARM YOUR YARD Advice on Canyon Farming From L.A.'s Vegetable Whisperer

By Annie Thornton

See how a screened garden house and raised beds help an edible garden in a Los Angeles canyon thrive

HOUZZ TOURS My Houzz: An Animal Lover's Texas Sanctuary

By Kailey J. Flynn Photography

Dogs, cats and horses enjoy an idyllic temporary refuge here, but the eco-minded home has a permanent place in its owner's heart

HOUZZ TOURS Houzz Tour: Modern Renewal for a Tired Texas Ranch

By Becky Harris

This major makeover involved additions, layout changes and a new facade. See the stunning results here

MY HOUZZ My Houzz: Historic Textures Meet Modern Touches in Texas Hill Country

By Michaela Dodd

An oft-renovated former log cabin now features a soothing palette and nods to New Orleans

REMODELING GUIDES Regional Modern: Austin, Texas

Contemporary and modern Austin homes reflect the area's climate and eclectic style

Ideabook 911: I Need Help Staging for Resale

By Becky Harris

EXTERIORS Help! What Color Should I Paint My House Exterior?

By Jennifer Ott Design

Real homeowners get real help in choosing paint palettes. Bonus: 3 tips for everyone on picking exterior colors

FARM YOUR YARD Houzz Call: Home Farmers, Show Us Your Edible Gardens

By Stacy Briscoe

We want to see where your tomatoes, summer squashes and beautiful berries are growing this summer

GARDENING GUIDES Lush, Foodie Abundance in a Small Urban Garden

This modest backyard garden provides its owner with fruit and vegetables all year round, thanks to an innovative low-maintenance approach

Sponsored

Dave Fox Design Build Remodelers

49 Reviews

Columbus Area's Luxury Design Build Firm | 17x Best of Houzz Winner!

More Discussions

Has anyone heard of a storage tomato? Looking at Giallorosso di Crispi

4

"Purple" tomatoes?

4

What tools and materials for planting tomato

0