How-Your Tomato Deserves Better Support
If you peek over the back fence of almost any house in the summer, you will find it: a strong tomato plant that stands proudly, with its leaves, stems, and fruits sticking out, all around, over small and now invisible obstacles. Metal cage. Birds migrate; We grow tomatoes — like clockwork. Whether you are an avid beginner or an experienced entrepreneur, it is hard to imagine that small tomato seedlings purchased at the height of the growing season - in a very short period of time - will turn into a big and frantic behemoth. Need some help to stand up straight.
Not every tomato plant, of course, fits this description, but the greater number of them. As harvest time approaches, many of us find that the cages and stocks we set up as support systems often need support. Why not try something a little different in your garden this spring? Drop the waiting cages in the garage (or use them to attach your eggplant, peppers, and beans) and support your tomato seedlings in a unique and effective way, i.e. across the fence, a tree, or a bridge. By training your tomatoes on a flat plane, you will not only get a more orderly garden but also get the tomato harvest that every gardener wants.
Arbor
Excellent tomato support with a curve. Nut at the base of the vertical columns and gradually twist the branches upwards and over the transverse beam. Prune all the branches that want to get away from the support. Tomato arbors are a great way to create a spectacular entrance to a garden (photo above, facing page). Wooden trusses, bamboo stocks, and lattices can all be designed as an arbor-supporting structures.
My favorite varieties in this category support: ‘Black Cherry’, ‘Black Plum’, ‘Sun Gold’
Bridge
If you use a pigtail or can make similar sturdy fencing panels, try this variation of support. Anchor the bottom of the sections, tilt them forward for optimal sunlight exposure and attach each panel to the posts at a 45-degree angle. Plant near the base and as the plant grows, pull it up and across the corner panel. No need to even build as the plant is spread over the support. Pinch as needed. Growing fruits hang through the grid and are shaded by leaf cover. The garden area, which receives wonderful filtered light throughout the day, is ideal for greens in late winter or early spring.
My favorite genres in this category support: 'July 4th', 'Green Zebra', 'John Flame'
Fence
If you already have a solid wire fence around or near your vegetable garden (or open to building one), you can use it to support your tomatoes and create a living wall. After planting against the base of the fence, tie them up as the branches grow and spread them out wide and wide (or as far as your support allows) to allow maximum sunlight for each leaf. Attach the branches with soft ties, hook and loop tape, or rope.
Leave a little space between the attached branches and pinch or cut off the ones that do not fit into the plane. (Gardeners in super hot areas should pinch carefully, as a little extra cover will help protect your fruit from the sun during the warmer part of the growing season.) If the plant reaches the top of the support, you may be forced to prune it. Or the top branch can be tilted and allowed to run over the top line of the fence panel.
My favorite genres in this category support: 'Brandy Boy', 'Gold Medal', 'Zapotec'
Tip: Invest in high-quality fencing products
If you do not already have a wire fence or flat plane in your place, it is easy to assemble a suitable one:
Concrete reinforcing wire supported by rigid posts works well and braces a large tomato plant well enough. Spread it on a line or place it around your garden.
Heavy galvanized animal-fence panels (sold as pig wire or horse-coral panels) are found in most fodder stores. Incredibly determined — albeit a little unmanageable — they are the best support candidates. In this case, if the branches are woven inside and outside the metal grid, you do not have to tie the plants.
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