Tomato Cages – Go Gingham Style

Planting tomatoes means staking the plants.  For several years, I used the old standard, cone shaped tomato stake.  I’ve never had much success with these.  My tomato plants would get too tall or I couldn’t reach in to pick the fruit.  Then, I read the book, “Square Foot Gardening” by Mel Bartholomew and got inspired to try a new method. So, here is my very, frugal solution to tomato cages and staking tomato plants.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bamboo poles came from my neighbor’s yard and were free.  I just hammered them into the ground.  I wasn’t sure if they’d stay up but they did.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This 16’ long piece of fencing cost $4.00.  I cut the piece into 4 each 4’ long pieces.

Fencing piece came from The Re-Building Center but The Habitat for Humanity ReStore also carries products like this.  Use wire cutters to cut.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Attach fencing to bamboo with zip ties.  These can be purchased at a hardware store.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Plant tomatoes close to fencing.  As the plants grow, gently push branches, stems, etc. through the fence.  Think weaving here.

My total cost using this method for staking my tomato plants came to about $5.00.  The plants did really well but overall it was a bad year for tomatoes.  Our summer weather was exceptionally cold and rainy.  This year, I’m hoping for better tomato growing weather!

What method do you use to stake tomatoes?

Go Gingham related links:

I also like to save seeds and re-use those in my garden!
Why my tomato plants are happy – what I plant with them
Our favorite summer tomato meal – it’s called summer dinner!
My non-gardener-gardening-strategy – yes, non gardeners can fake it
Three easy herbs to grow – you won’t be able to kill these, I promise!
How to build a raised vegetable bed
Growing vegetables in small spaces – I call it “sky gardening”