While staking tomatoes takes time and effort, the results are worth it.
Blaine Moats
1.
The height of the staking system depends on the pop in of tomato.
Credit:Blaine Moats
Tomato varieties are divided into two groups based on how they grow:determinate and indeterminate.
Determinate tomato types grow to a certain height, usually 3 or 4 feet tall, then stop growing.
They flower and fruit within a few weeks.
Credit: Carson Downing
A 3- to 4-foot-tall staking system works well for determinate varieties.
A 5- to 7-foot-tall staking system is best for indeterminate types.
For small spaces or containers, choose determinate tomatoes for a concentrated harvest.
Indeterminate tomatoes need more space, support, and regular pruning for a longer harvest.
Stake at Planting Time
Tomatoes grow fast.
Itseasy to forget about staking newly planted tomatoesin the busyness of spring planting and weeding.
Ensure your plants stand tall from the get-go by putting a support system in place at planting time.
Continue tying the main stem to the stake weekly as the plant grows.
Prune regularly by trimming back side shoots or suckers to encourage vertical growth and help keep the plant manageable.
Helpwire tomato cagesstand tall all season long with stakes.
Sink two 5- to 7-foot-tall metal stakes deep into the ground alongside wire cages.
Tie the cages to the stakes.
Make your own tomato cages using concrete reinforcing wire or similar heavy-duty mesh.
Tomato Plants in Containers
Use a single wood or metal stake to provide support for apotted tomato plant.
Place the container in a protected location if windy conditions are a problem.
Support for a Row of Tomatoes
Wondering how to stake tomatoes to create ahedge of plants?
Try the basketweave tomato support method.
Continue weaving new layers of twine up the stakes as the plants grow.
Prune Staked Tomatoes Regularly
Pruning tomato plantsis especially beneficial to plants trained to a single stake.
These side shoots are only extra vegetative growththey won’t produce fruit.
Removing them reduces leaf mass, making it easier to support a tomato plant using a single stake.
Try aTomato-Basil Spritz, which elevates a classic spritz with a tomato-basil shrub and flavorful ice cubes.
For a delicious appetizer,Two-Tomato Bruschettadelivers double the flavor with dried and fresh tomatoes.
And for a perfect summer side, theBacon-Corn-Tomato Saladbrings together seasonal ingredients with the smoky flavor of bacon.
