Depending on whether you grow determinate, semi-determinate or indeterminate tomatoes, will determine whether you need to stake your tomatoes or not. Determinate plants do not typically need staking where both semi and determinate plants will sprawl and grow large volumes of tomatoes which will require staking the vines to keep them from breaking, during the growing season.
In order to protect your tomatoes from both garden pests and critters as well as their own weight and plant size, staking is one of the most important things to do to your vines. Not only will it keep pests at bay, but it will keep the fruit clean and disease down. Staking will also keep branches from breaking and decaying on the ground and it will promote growth in a smaller space than allowing the vines to sprawl all over the growing area they are in.
There are several ways to stake your tomatoes, so I’ll give you some ideas on some of them.
Of course, if you used my soil warming technique, you should have a tomato cage or two. These round ringed cages are pretty simple to use, however they can be a bit flimsy to use alone. What we do is use a piece of rebar or a wood stake and weave down through the rings on one side, pushing the stake into the soil until it becomes sturdy. Sometimes this may require tapping the stake with a hammer or other tool. This will keep the tomato cage rigid and will keep it from falling over with the weight of your plants.
Weave or coax/train your tomato plants through the wire rings of the tomato cages, as they grow. This may need to be done on a daily basis as the temperatures warm out of doors.
Metal Poles or Wood
Slat material is another staking method I use, if I have neglected my tomato plants for too long. Sometimes cages cannot be used, so slats can be used instead. They can also be used with tomato cages. But if your tomatoes have grown beyond safely coaxing or training them through the rings of the cage, simply tie them to the rings of the cage or use slat material woven through the rings, in order to stake the sprawling branches. Slat material can be purchased for approximately $25 per 100 pieces, so it’s quite cost effective.
With the slat material method, you will need to tie or clip the stakes to the stakes and/or cage. I would recommend cut or torn strips of cotton fabric (sheet, t-shirt) tied around the stake and carefully draped around the tomato stalk.
If you don’t use clips, 1 inch strips of cotton fabric works well around the plant. Either cotton sheet or T-shirt material works well.
If you tie the branches to the stake, always make sure to only drape the strip of cotton fabric around the stalk, under a sturdy stem. Do not wrap the fabric around the stalk, but only around the stake.
Ranch Fencing or Concrete Reinforcing Wire Tomato Cages
You can also use Ranch Fencing or concrete reinforcing wire, to build your own tomato cages. Just remember to find fencing that has large enough holes to get your tomatoes through. It comes in heights of 48 inches as well as taller and to use it, simply cut a piece about 37 – 40 inches long. This will make about a 12 inch circle to fit over your plant. Twist the cut ends together and create a circle. Place around your tomato plants. You’ll probably need some reinforcing sticks or bars to keep them upright, but they do work quite well and help to keep larger critters from munching on your precious tomatoes.
Wood Ladder Style Frames
Another unique tomato frame is the wood ladder folding style. They actually form an A from over the top of the entire plant. These frames can be folded up at the end of the season and stored in very small areas.
