Why Stake Tomatoes
Tomato vines look messy when allowed to run along the ground.
verify to water tomato plants regularly.
Staking works well with limited space because it keeps the vines and fruit off the ground.
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Staked tomatoes are easier to pick from the vine and can be harvested sooner.
Caging is common, especially for shorter, determinate varieties.
Whether wood or metal, these cages are durable and can last season after season.
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Be aware that cages may restrict airflow and light more than stakes, leading to pests and disease.
Several modern hybrid tomato varieties are determinate.
Additionally, because they stay more compact, you will not have to bother pruning out suckers.
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Stake determinate tomatoes when they’re fairly young and have reached a height of about 12 inches.
Indeterminate Tomatoes
Supporting indeterminate tomato plants is more difficult because they get bigger and heavier.
However, a traditional indeterminate tomato plant grows larger and produces more fruit.
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It will continue producing fruit with proper care until the first frost.
Whileyou can use a tomato cageto support an indeterminate plant, you will need a large one.
A stake may be best to support the amount of fruit that will eventually be harvested.
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Wait to stake indeterminate tomatoes until they’re between 10 and 12 inches tall to avoid damaging the roots.
Do not wait until they’re falling over or swaying downward.
If necessary, trim the bottom of the stakes to a pointed tip.
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Tip
Buy a small or medium-sizedtomato cagefor a determinate tomato plant.
Drive Your Stakes
Pound the stakes into the ground about 15 inches.
Ensure the support is securely buried at least 1 foot in the ground to hold maturing plants.
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Fasten the vine about every 6 to 8 inches as it grows.
Choose a fastener that will not cut into the vine.
One end of the stake should be pointy to make it easier to drive into the ground.
If you buy one without a point, trim some wood at one end to create a point.
Drive the Stakes
Pound the stake about 24 inches into the ground using a small sledgehammer.
Place the stake about 5 inches away from the tomato plant so that you do not cause root damage.
Or, place all of the stakes and then plant the tomato seedlings.
For heavy varieties likeheirloom tomatoes, use the double stake method.
Keep adding ties as necessary.
Alternatively, you’re free to use stretchy vinyl plant ties to secure the stems.
For a large tomato plot, try the Florida weave method.
Plant the tomatoes in two rows with stakes at the start, end, and between every three plants.
Weave a fastener between the stakes in front and behind each plant.
Prune Away Suckers
Cut away the suckersthat sap the strength of the plant.
These shoots grow in the spaces between the main stem and the fruiting branches.
This pruning improves air circulation and makes the plant less susceptible to disease.
The Spruce / Michele Lee
Tomato Foliage Problems.
Pruning for Healthier, More Productive Tomatoes.
North Carolina State University Cooperative Extension.
