Hey everyone! I'm ramping up my tomato game this year and going from 500 plants to 1250. This means I need a lot more t posts for trellising, but I'm on a tight budget. I'm curious where you all find t posts for cheap, especially since I'll be using the Florida weave method. Also, what other trellising options do you guys have? Lastly, has anyone had success not trellising their field tomatoes? I know it's not the best approach, but I'm open to ideas. Maybe I should've just gone for determinate varieties instead, but it's a bit late for that. Any advice would be super helpful, thanks!
5 Answers
I’d recommend checking out Facebook Marketplace. You might find someone having a sale or giving away t posts. Just be cautious; if they’re free or really cheap, there’s a good chance they might be bent or rusty. Good luck with your search!
Another thing to consider is using second-hand tomato cages. I personally mix t posts for the Florida weave with tomato cages. Weaving tends to work better, but when I plant tomatoes near a wall or fence, I use hooks to tie them up, and that’s worked out great for me!
Don’t overlook your local scrap yard! They often have metal posts in good shape that people have tossed out. It's a great way to save money.
You could also look into bulk pricing at Tractor Supply. For really low prices, Alibaba might be an option too, though shipping can be tricky!
I've had luck finding affordable t posts at Menards. They often have decent prices compared to other places, so it might be worth a trip there.