Cherry tomatoes in cages

HARVEY NEEDLE

7 months ago

When they grow above cage, can I just let them fall over outside of cages
Than
H

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Comments (5)

vgkg Z-7 Va
7 months ago
My cherry tomato cage is 5' high made from fencing and when the vines top out I'll mainly just let them go on their own. By that time there are so many tomatoes present that even if the vines kink up it really doesn't matter too much as far as production is concerned. When possible I will try to guide some of the vines into more of a curved arraignment going over the top rather than them becoming kinked but that's really more for neatness.
LoneJack Zn 6a, KC
7 months ago
Yes you can. I have a dedicated 4x4 bed that I use for my Sungold every year. I use a 5' tall by 22" round CRW cage and I have a 8' high 2x4 wood trellis above the cage that I run coated wire across to tie the vines to after they breach the cage. I cut up plastic grocery bags into strips to use for tying it up.
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Yes, that will work. One of the challenges in intensive growing is to get everything enough light. The zukes and pepper are the crops that will get some shade from the cukes and pole beans, but they are going to get east morning light and evening light and will do OK. Shadows tend to be very short in summer which is when these crops will grow. Peppers will do fine and I don't think you can plant too few zukes ;-) They are incredibly prolific. Just go ahead and do it. Worst case scenario is your peppers take longer to mature and the zukes don't inundate your friends, family and coworkers. For that there is always next year. ;-) I think you have a strong plan for this year. One thing is for certain, you will get far more yummy and nutritious produce from your current plan than if you let analyzing the plan paralyze you from just doing it. ;-) Happy growing to you.
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Best variety to let sprawl
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Comments (42)
I arrived at my design when I realized just how far indeterminate Early Girls can travel in good soil. LOL I've been growing Early Girls for MANY many years & finally 12 years ago, put in raised beds. The soil is 1/3 clay...1/3 sand & 1/3 turkey poo. I've yet had to amend the soil. My beds are 16' long & 10' wide. There are 3 plants in these pics. They take up the entire area & then some, some years. That's when I need to add on to the main center panel. I have different sized pieces of cattle panel for just that reason. In the first pic, you can see that it's ready for a notched 2" PVC pipe. I'll try and remember, this year, to get a pic while the "horizontal trellis" is empty. :) I use zip ties to tie the panels to the metal pipes & each other. Last year, I gave at least 175 lbs. away. I average 350 mater's per plant. TinyPic gave me fits, soooo...I hope this link works. In the preview, I only was able to link to one pic. This link SHOULD get you to the 2nd pic. http://oi54.tinypic.com/23kw6e9.jpg Here is a link that might be useful:
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any suggestions?
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Comments (2)
Elizabeth, how about driving one of those 5-6' metal stakes, the ones with a flat spade anchor near the bottom, into the ground about a half a foot away the stem; then, using heavy jute twine or some such, tie the whole sprawling mess up to it? Good luck. Gary
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Cherry Tomato taking over other tomato plants
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Comments (17)
I haven't grown sungold, but the cherry I grew when I lived in Z7 (Sweet 100s I think), and that monster grew up the 6 foot cage, then down the other side of the 6 foot cage, and then 6 feet out along the line before I said ENOUGH and just cut off the vine. Cherry tomatoes can be voracious little suckers! I'll have to try sungold next year though. My son would love it. I grew yellow pear this year, but its really suffering disease pressure.
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annie1992
7 months ago
I'm not nearly as dedicated as Jack, I just have a 4 foot tomato cage and when the SunGold outgrows it, I let it go out the top and over the sides. I did learn to only grow ONE, those things are prolific!

So sure, just let it sprawl, as long as it's not encroaching on adjoining plants. It will take over, if it gets a chance. It won't look as neat and tidy, but you'll still get lots of cherry tomatoes.

Annie
Judi
7 months ago
Yup, my Sun Golds grow into giants. I'm guessing 10 feet or more. That said, my harvest has ended and it's time to pull plants.
docmom_gw
6 months ago
Judi,

It amazes me that your harvest of cherry tomatoes is done! We haven't had a single ripe cherry tomato, yet. They're coming, but we'll be picking into October.

Martha

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Cherry tomatoes in cages

Comments (5)

vgkg Z-7 Va

LoneJack Zn 6a, KC

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annie1992

Judi

docmom_gw

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