You don't have to use cages. Stakes are fine if you don't mind the chore of periodically tying up new growth.

There are other ways to support plants, but stakes alone do require pruning. If you don't want to prune and want to do it on the cheap, you could try a florida weave method.

I'm sure someone else will weigh in on it, but I saw those Ultomato cages at the store and checked them out--they seemed really flimsy to me. An unpruned tomato plant full of fruit can be very heavy. If I was to use one I'd probably use stakes in the corners of it to give it additional support.

Here is a link that might be useful: Tomato Staking Technique Evaluation

You don't need a cage. My first year growing tomatoes, I tried the sprawl method, just let them do their own thing and go all over the ground. Got cages for the second year, and decided I liked them. Stakes should be fine too as long as you keep an eye on it and keep them well supported. I like the cages since they seem to take a little less effort. Don't get sucked into some sort of special cage though, the 50-cent ones from the local greenhouse have served me well.

Thanks a lot guys, now I have a bit confidence about this. I might try the florida weave method or just leave the way they are but keep tying up the new growth, after all, I don't need a big harvest.

I definitely prefer cages. I let a few plants sprawl on the ground one year and lost at least half of the fruit to early disease, rot and slugs.

Same here - cages. No comparison in either ease of care or production. But if cost is a factor and you already have stakes you can rig a cage out of stakes you already have. A simple tri-pod or just 3 stakes in the ground around the plant with some string circling at various levels works.

The Ultomato cages really aren't all that bad - need more cross supports than 3 - but not bad. I bought one this year to try - love to experiment with new types of cages ;). I used in a container and if you can get the poles down into your soil they firm up fairly well. Or you could drive 1 stake and then just tie wrap the Ultomato to it - would save some pruning work.

Good luck and enjoy your tomatoes.

Dave

With a few tools, a few dollars, and a little time, you can make your own awesome tomato cages. Mine supported my plants even when they hit 9+ feel tall (see photo). Go to Home Depot and buy concrete reinforcing mesh. It is made out of 3/16 wire, and has 6" grid. They are 7 feet long and 42" wide. Cut out the middle row so you have two strips 18" wide and 7 feet long. Then, cut off the bottom row so you have 6" wires poking out the bottom to hold it in place. Use wire ties to connect three of the 18" wide panels together, and voila! For extra security, place a fence stake at one of the corners.

thanks bigdaddyj,digdirt and fffgt, the reason I am using stakes this year is because I plant my tomatos with my flowers together. This is a new home and I don't have the strength to do a flower garden and a vegetable garden for the first year, we are new to country living and we have no power tools to make things easier. I end up cleaned all the grass and dig everything myself with a pick Axe, shovel and a small garden cart; I also have to add 6 yard of new soil to my existing clay soil to improve the growing condition, not to mention also have to deal with drainage problem. I currently have 15 plants and they are looking ok so far, I might buy couple of cages to try out, after all, they will not be looking that pretty among my flowers.

Also, ffgt, how can I upload pictures? I read the instructions on this site and tried many times without success, maybe I am not as smart as I thought I am.

Jing

Hey I think I figured out how to post a picture, So here are 2 pictures of my new garden. I will seperate the veges and the flowers next year but this year, this is the best I can do as a newbie. Please give me some advice.

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