I planted four Glacier and six Brandywine tomato plants in my raised beds this year. In previous seasons, I used metal tomato cages, but they sometimes collapsed, especially the larger Brandywine plants. I'm concerned these cages won't provide enough support for them. Would using stakes be a suitable alternative if I secure the main stem properly? I'm considering garden velcro tape or twine. I love the idea of supporting them with twine from an overhead frame, but I'm on a tight budget and need affordable solutions. What methods have worked well for you, specifically for Brandywine or other indeterminate tomato plants? I figure anything that supports Brandywine will also work for the Glacier.
5 Answers
Instead of twine, I recommend old pantyhose or knee-high stockings. They’re stretchy and won’t damage the plant. I tie the plants to bamboo sticks or fresh, thick sticks for support. Keep the ties flat against the plant to avoid hard pressure points.
I’ve had luck using concrete reinforcement wire from places like Lowe’s. You can cut it into sections to make strong, circular cages. They hold up well for tomatoes. Another method is to place multiple stakes around each plant for added support. I’ll look into other options too, just in case!
Metal poles from the dollar store work great! Pair them with Velcro tape for an affordable solution. Can’t beat that price!
I’ve been experimenting with vertical supports using garden wire and ties. I’m planning to avoid traditional supports like cages next year and will try growing them in pots with wire support instead. Just remember to give the plants enough airflow and prune unnecessary leaves to keep them healthy. As long as your tomatoes are supported and you keep them pruned, they’re pretty forgiving about how you manage them!
I’ve been using leftover sections of rebar tied with strips from old bed sheets. It’s super cheap!
I try to find that stuff at home building stores too—sometimes you can snag it from their scrap pile!