Put Tomato Plants on a String Trellis

Some of our tomato plants grow too large for cages. Tomato stakes cause root damage of inserted too late. We wanted something easy, quick, and out of the way. I spent about $6 for this entire project, and it is totally reusable so next year it's free!

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• trellis
• string
• tomato
• tomatoe
• raised
• bed
• gardening
• organic
• plant
• plants

[kep67]

Is there a reason for the cup around the tomato stalk? slug prevention??

[BuddyClubGardening]

@kep67

yes. The cup is there as a cut worm collar, slug prevention, etc.

[DesertDigger1]

GEE...Am I missing something here,Jute twine or hay bale twine has been around for years,landscape poles work great,and there cheap,heck of a lot lees work then this guy did.....looked more like a grape arbor,but I did like the video.Him being from Wisconsin,I,d think you could just go cut some 4 inch diamater trees instead,or did the "Tree Huggers"put a stop to that too?

[BuddyClubGardening]

@DesertDigger1 The lumber was a dumpster dive, while jute and hay bale twine have been around so has sisal. I didn't happen to have hay bale around and it is harder to tie off nicely than a thinner twine like I used. I also used a fine twine so that it would not scar or tear the skin of the tomato vines. I didn't think cutting down a bunch of trees would be a good idea, nor would it be convenient since I don't live in the woods.

[Whippetfest]

Thank you for the video. I've been looking at my options for supporting my tomoatoes. I saw on another video where they ran strings horizontally on each side of the tomatoes to tall stakes at each end of the bed, adding string as they grow up. Do you think that would work just as well? Mine are in a greenhouse so wind wouldn't be an issue. I'm thinking it would be easier but I have no experience and have been running ragged getting set up, so easy would be nice. Thanks again.

[BuddyClubGardening]

@Whippetfest

Either way should work just fine. I am doing something similar this season, instead of string running along side the plants, I'm using chicken wire.

[simplefung13]

Thank you that was so helpful especially since my tomato plants are growing so high!

[sk8rman5005]

You should really just get "The Tomato T Stake" for next season. It's a new invention that works better than anything out on any market. Just search for it on youtube just as it's spelled. There's only one.

[rheem73]

This was a very informative video. This is my first year gardening. I live in NC and German Johnson tomatoes are popular in this region. I was expecting the plants to get as tall as my hubby, but they did! We've been trying to figure out a way to contain them for next year planting and this video was right on time. Keep the videos coming:-) vjholland

[Albqrabbit]

Your daughter is SO funny! I just love the way she said 'YYYeeesss' at the end when you asked her if she had a good time making the video.

Maybe she will end up on SNL or whtaever the equivalent of that will be in 15-20 years.

Your beginning tomatoes are extremely healthy-looking. Are they the amish paste? Have you tried growing potatoes?

[Albqrabbit]

Your daughter is SO funny! I just love the way she said 'YYYeeesss' at the end when you asked her if she had a good time making the video. 

Maybe she will end up on SNL or whtaever the equivalent of that will be in 15-20 years.

Your beginning tomatoes are extremely healthy-looking. Are they the amish paste?

[iamthepink81]

I am interested to see an update. Did this method work well for you? Have you found something different you like better? I plant in boxes as well. My biggest are 4x8 and I have vining tomatoes growing the whole width and depth of one box, thus putting trellis on only one side is not going to work. I don't like cages for all the reasons you pointed out.

[MisterSoul99]

Its an interesting idea, I have seen a few folks from russian/ukraine use this method around here.

I think assembling the frames each year with a screw gun and screws would be the quickest and cheapest way , of course predrill the first board.

I am trying this with cucs this year.. using bamboo for the frame, we'll see how that works.

[SchmetterlingSue]

@DesertDigger1... Rude.

@ BuddyClub Gardening...Thanks for the walkthru with details! Appreciate you sharing your idea's and projects. Your daughter is fortunate to have a father who is teaching her creative thinking!