The tomatoes are the most common vegetables that are never missing in our kitchens, and are also easy to grow. This explains why they are the most common kitchen garden crops today. Whether for subsistence use or for commercial purpose, they require support system of one type or the other. The longer growing types in particular cannot survive without support. Normally, cage is used as the preferred mode of support. They prevent the plant from breaking off, the fruits from falling off or being in contact with surfaces like the ground that make them rot. It is easy to come up with the best homemade tomato cage, rather having to buy them.
For small, bush-like tomatoes, smaller cages easily available in most garden centers or stakes can do. However, larger plants require a support system that is sturdier. This calls for a homemade wire support or something better. The cost of the cage built depends on the materials used, which are normally inexpensive.
Having the plant properly supported is the sure way of getting the highest quality fruits. This is ideal due to the fact that the fruits are prevented from being in contact with the ground that is known to make them rot. It also prevents the stems from shaking which can drop some fruits or make them to break off.
If none of the materials required are available, then one has to start from the scratch. The 2 by 2 by 8 framing lumber is good enough and cheaply available from the nearby lumber store. This can be further subdivided into two. Once the appropriate length of the wire mesh has been determined, spread it on the ground and cut off the correct size. The wire is then rolled up to form a column. A wooden stake is then stacked into the wire so that the cage can be anchored firmly to the ground. A short pipe can also achieve this. Lastly, the wire mesh is hammered around the plant to the ground and it is ready.
If the construction is to start from the scratch due to non-availability of any of the required materials, then the first step is to buy them from the local hardware. The required materials include a 2 by 2 by 8 framing lumber, wire mesh of an appropriate length depending on the number of plants, nails and the tools such as wire cutter, hammer, and heavy duty gloves. The poll is divided into two equal halves.
Generally, the tomato plants grown inside the cage require no tying. However, it is till good to help the vines out by loosely tying their stalks onto the support system using some soft twine, pantyhose or cloths. This should be done regularly as the plant continues growing.
Alternatively, a wire cutter is used to cut the galvanized wire into an appropriate length and the roll it out, snipping off an 18 inch size of the mesh. The second step is to center the rolled portion into the wooden stake, with a length of 16 inches allowed at the lower end. Lastly, the mesh is hammered onto the wooden cage and set around the plant and it is ready.
With this support system, the fruits that come out are cleaner and are overall better in quality as compared to the ones that were not supported. Although construction of the support system requires some effort, it has numerous benefits to the plant. It can also be used again over the years, thus making a lot of economic sense as the purchased materials are well used.
For small, bush-like tomatoes, smaller cages easily available in most garden centers or stakes can do. However, larger plants require a support system that is sturdier. This calls for a homemade wire support or something better. The cost of the cage built depends on the materials used, which are normally inexpensive.
Having the plant properly supported is the sure way of getting the highest quality fruits. This is ideal due to the fact that the fruits are prevented from being in contact with the ground that is known to make them rot. It also prevents the stems from shaking which can drop some fruits or make them to break off.
If none of the materials required are available, then one has to start from the scratch. The 2 by 2 by 8 framing lumber is good enough and cheaply available from the nearby lumber store. This can be further subdivided into two. Once the appropriate length of the wire mesh has been determined, spread it on the ground and cut off the correct size. The wire is then rolled up to form a column. A wooden stake is then stacked into the wire so that the cage can be anchored firmly to the ground. A short pipe can also achieve this. Lastly, the wire mesh is hammered around the plant to the ground and it is ready.
If the construction is to start from the scratch due to non-availability of any of the required materials, then the first step is to buy them from the local hardware. The required materials include a 2 by 2 by 8 framing lumber, wire mesh of an appropriate length depending on the number of plants, nails and the tools such as wire cutter, hammer, and heavy duty gloves. The poll is divided into two equal halves.
Generally, the tomato plants grown inside the cage require no tying. However, it is till good to help the vines out by loosely tying their stalks onto the support system using some soft twine, pantyhose or cloths. This should be done regularly as the plant continues growing.
Alternatively, a wire cutter is used to cut the galvanized wire into an appropriate length and the roll it out, snipping off an 18 inch size of the mesh. The second step is to center the rolled portion into the wooden stake, with a length of 16 inches allowed at the lower end. Lastly, the mesh is hammered onto the wooden cage and set around the plant and it is ready.
With this support system, the fruits that come out are cleaner and are overall better in quality as compared to the ones that were not supported. Although construction of the support system requires some effort, it has numerous benefits to the plant. It can also be used again over the years, thus making a lot of economic sense as the purchased materials are well used.
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