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Growing Tomatoes

What Do You Prefer For Supporting Your Container Tomatoes?

12 years ago

Last year I used stakes to support my tomatoes in containers. I started the plants supported by 1 stake and then would jam additional stakes in as needed to support the branches. I am sure the roots didn't like it when I did that so this year, I will start them with 3 stakes.

Do you prefer cages or stakes? I was using stakes because I thought it allowed me to keep the branches more separate so that they could get better air circulation and because I did not find a cage that worked well with my particular container size.

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Comments (7)

digdirt2
12 years ago
Cages. Size of cages depends on the variety. I use CRW cages.

Check out Bingsters pics here of his container support system not to mention all the pics Raybo has posted of his EarthTainer system and the cages he builds for them. He has posted detailed instructions here numerous times.

And if you search 'cage or stake' here you'll find 100's of pics posted of various support systems on this forum and on the Container gardening forum.

Dave
terrybull
12 years ago
for me its pvc cages.

{{gwi:40026}}
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Jay5
12 years ago
My containers are on course pine bark on the ground.
I drove T stakes into the ground about 4 containers apart and used the Florida weave method. My tomatoes are at 7 feet now and it's working well. Doesn't cost a lot either.
edweather USDA 9a, HZ 9, Sunset 28
12 years ago
I use the typical concrete sidewalk reinforcing steel mesh. It's sold by the roll at big box stores. A 50 foot roll makes about 8 cages 2 feet in dia. They will slip over most containers.
tempusflits
12 years ago
I made teepees of three bamboo poles this year. Surprisingly, they worked well for me. This was an unusual year, though. We had a cold spring followed by a hot summer. Tomatoes didn't realy develop all that well. Still everything stood up well within the containers.
yumtomatoes
Original Author
12 years ago
Thanks everyone. That pvc cage sure is impressive looking! Someday maybe I will have enough land to do something like that.

I can't use anything that fixes the containers to a particular location since I have to move my containers in order for the plants to get enough sun.

I think the teepees might work for me. Thanks for the ideas!
terrybull
12 years ago
the ones that raybo uses on the earthtainer attach to the container so you can move the whole set up.

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