Tomato cages
I've never been a big fan of the cone shaped cages that you see everywhere for a couple of bucks. My tomatoes would always become top-heavy and topple over.
So I used the rectangular cages offered by Gardener's Supply. I like the stability offered by their four corners. And they have the added advantage of easy collapsibility and even easier storage.While at Baltimore's Flowermart in early May, I caught sight of what looked to be industrial strength tomato cages that fit snugly in big black plastic containers and I was intrigued.
Then fellow garden blogger Margaret Roach, over at A Way to Garden, wrote about her favorite cages: Texas Tomato Cages, which come in a variety of heights and diameters and are collapsible, too.Illustration courtesy of Gardener's Supply
Just a note: if you are using last year's cages, be sure to clean them with a mixture of dish soap and bleach to remove any pesky disease spores.
Comments
My tomatoe cages are put in place about two weeks after I plant because it is easier to get them around the plant while they are still small.
The majority of my tomatoe plants are currently about 5' tall and I've already picked a ripe cherry tomatoe and have a few more on the way.
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Posted by: Kathy | June 9, 2010 7:52 AM
I thought you only have 2 tomato plants in pots. Wow. How big are those pots that a square cage will fit in them?
That's right, Eve. Only two tomato plants. I use the Gardener's Supply self-watering pots with a reservoir below...It was part of the tomato success kit I purchased from them years ago. Cages fit perfectly--Susan
Posted by: Eve | June 9, 2010 10:49 AM