|
| I would like to build a simple support for my indeterminate tomatoes. Any suggestions? (emphasis on "simple"). Thanks! greenwitch |
Follow-Up Postings:
|
- Posted by oogy4plants 6AMD (My Page) on Tue, Mar 9, 04 at 14:05
| I just solved this problem myself by purchasing 4 7-foot long plastic stakes and a package of garden netting with 7" mesh grid. I intend to make 2 trellises by cutting the netting to the size I want and stretching it between the stakes. Tomatoes and other vining crops can be trained up the netting. I am hoping that I do not need a horizontal top support to keep it from sagging. |
|
| think about this! Posted by: shebear z8 NTex (--I don't remember which group I read it in but its here on GW somewhere) TexasGal: I do something like Moogies does but I don't use cattle panels. I use arches I bought at Big Lots for $5.99 a piece. I bought 4 and spaced them 4 feet apart and covered them with that bird netting. I let the end netting just hang so I could walk in. Then I put my tomato cages (5 feet tall cages out of that concrete wire) and planted my tomatoes inside. Now I can walk in and pick tomatoes or just lift the netting on the sides and pick. I had to tie the netting on the top of the arches and put 1 x 1s along the bottom to keep the wind from blowing it around. I left it up this winter so I'm all set. Next year I think I'll throw some plastic over it and use it like a cold frame in the fall and spring. I also use arches to grow my pole beans on. I try twine along the arch and plant all around. I got lots of beans last year. I'm going to do it myself this year!
|
|
| here's a link to a picture of one mede out of cattle panels. They were bent by placing them inside the back of a pick up truck for the ride home. |
Here is a link that might be useful: tomato tunnel
|
| I saw one that had been made using a 4x4 as a post, with dark gre plastic clothes hangers stapled to the post. Looked weird at first, but worked just fine. |
|
| I just read about people using 4 poles, bamboo or other tree branches one end stuck in the ground in a square shape (one each corner) then pulled together and tied up towards the top. The plant is planted inside the square. Melvalena |
|
| I bought a 6' x 100' roll of concrete reinforcing wire (6"x6" spacing)and cut it into pieces about 8-9 foot each. Bend the cut ends back to act like a hook and roll into circle and hook together. To place into the ground I simply cut the center pieces out of one end and you can then simply push the spikes right into the ground. If it is really windy where you live you might want to consider a large stake to help secure the cage. I plant my tomato in mid spring , put the cage around it and then secure clear plastic around it leaving the top open and it acts as a coldframe. Then in the winter I take them apart and cover plants that the deer like to eat, or need extra protection. Also if you need them bigger just put two or three together to get a larger circumference. Lasts a long time. Good luck. Shelly |
|
| I just use 2x2 's. One for each plant. I use one 8 ft. length for each plant. Dig down always, insert 2x2 , climb up on ladder and use small mallet or large hammer... and bang on the top of the 2x2 until it will not go any deeper in the ground. Amend soil, plant tomato as deep as reasonable, with all lower stems removed, as roots will form there. Add more soil as plant grows. Once plant is tall enough, I begin training it up the pole. One or two main stems is all you want to have on each plant. One is better. I use the green plastic garden tape that comes on a roll, to tie plants to pole. It stretches enough the plants changing size does not cause problems, and it is easy to have in your pocket or stashed near the plants. Easy to tear off a correctly sized piece and bind those babies to the pole where you want them, and not out wandering around. This allows harvest on all sides of plant with no extra touching of leaves... if you are one that is sensitive to them and itches / burns skin like crazy. It also allows more plants per sq. ft. in smaller amount of garden space : less weeding ! I find I need to hack off the top of the plant once it hits about 6 ft. ( I can't reach higher than that to pick tomatoes), though some let it drop down and continue growing. I don't _need_ that many tomatoes ! Yikes ! Very simple. :-) |
|
| I use lengths of rebar to anchor my concrete wire mater cages. |
|
- Posted by SunshineSue z5 WI (My Page) on Mon, Mar 15, 04 at 12:15
| Thanks to all of you for the awesome ideas. I can't wait to get planting. |
|
| WEll, Sunshinesue?? What are you going to do? |
|
- Posted by hillbilly_AR z6 AR (thesorgs@pokynet.com) on Tue, Mar 16, 04 at 8:51
| Kind of off the subject a little but the garden tunnell also works great for grape vines. Just plant vines on the outside of the tunnel trellis. |
|
- Posted by Phyllis__MN 3/4 MN (My Page) on Thu, Mar 18, 04 at 10:06
| I have had mine, made of the concrete reinforcing wire, for 27 years! They are probably thirty inches in diameter, stay out at the end of the garden when not in use, and never tip over, as my husband had cut off a couple of rows of the horizontal wires, leaving nice long legs to shove into the ground around the plants. |
|
| I would like to build several triangular-shaped trellises for my climbing roses. Any ideas? |
|
| I used the 1 x 1 6ft. wooden garden stakes. Laid my design ut on the ground and then nail the wooden strips into place. I have made both the triangular and the rectangular trellises this way. Penny |
|
- Posted by david_mason Z9b, FL (My Page) on Sun, Oct 3, 04 at 15:12
| I agree that concrete mesh or galvanized mesh fencing works great. You can mold it into whatever shape or lengths that you want. You can then fold it into square boxes or more round cages. I'm going 5 feet high this season, but I'll have to see if that's high enough......8 feet might be better next season.....hmmmmm........ -David Mason |
|
| Check out my YouTube video. I show you how to build a very cheap and easy trellis for your Vegetable Garden! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MdPEHhxQGM0 |
Here is a link that might be useful: How-to Build a Trellis for Vining Vegetables in the Garden for Cheap!
Please Note: Only registered members are able to post messages to this forum. If you are a member, please log in. If you aren't yet a member, join now!
Return to the Tips & Techniques Forum
Instructions
- You must be a registered member and logged in to post messages on our forums.
- Posting is a two-step process. Once you have composed your message, you will be taken to the preview page. You will then have a chance to review the contents and make changes.
- After posting your message, you may need to refresh the forum page in order to see it.
- It is illegal to post copyrighted material without the owner's consent.
- HTML codes are allowed in the message field only.
- No advertising is allowed in any of the forums.
- If you would like to practice posting or uploading photos, please visit our Test forum.
- If you need assistance, please Contact Us and we will be happy to help.