Normally I use tomato cages for my peppers and determinate tomatoes, but this year I was gifted 50 t-posts so I want to try running a string or cable to the plant to help support it that way. Similar to the photo except using cable across the top instead of another post.
Gardeners who have done it like this, do you find it more work than a regular cage type support?
Any hints you can share?
by Anneisabitch
14 Comments
I find less falling down than traditional tomato cage lol. More work? I’m out there anyway and clip every 8 inches of growth or so? That probably still overkill
Growing on a string is more for indeterminate tomatoes growing a single stem. For determinate, you’re probably better off with the Florida weave.
I’m growing like that right now. Specifically, with cable going from one pole to the next, like you mentioned. I’m using galvanized steel wire going across the top, with 3mm garden twine hanging down from it to support the plants.
It’s working out okay, but once the plants started setting fruit, the weight of it turned the wire V shaped lol.
So, it’s up to you, but I think I’ll put a post across the top next time, instead of just steel wire.
florida weave between posts is my pepper plan this year (except I’m making my own posts from pallet lumber)
I tie a string to a pole and start by wrapping the string around the vine. Then as it grows wrap the vine around the string. It’s great for indeterminates. The Florida weave is better for determinates.
One hint — check out some 1/16″ stainless wire rope (aka “safety wire”, “aircraft safety wire”, etc. on amazon).
Strong as hell, and surprisingly cheap/durable for the price.
https://preview.redd.it/r2n5yl29rezg1.jpeg?width=1320&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=7c3ba612548aa2818d5490b1916a7b3d21deda5d
Look into the Florida weave. All you need are garden t posts and some jute twine. It supported my indeterminates without any issues last year and now I aware by it.
I’m trying the ole Florida weaver this year, i’ll let you know how it goes
Last year was my first attempt at a string trellis. I always did Florida weave in the 15 years prior. The only effort in a string trellis is the clips and trimming to a single stem. I was very happy with the new system. This is June last year Zone 9b. I have 3 beds 4×12 with 9 plants each. I cheated and had some plants with more than 1 string per plant. Trying to stick to one main stem per plant this year.
https://preview.redd.it/antgil0ivezg1.jpeg?width=4000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=aabdb1c4fe229e45aa45af3c40608af5d48f1610
I wouldn’t grow tomatoes any other way at this point. I don’t look at gardening as “ work” as for me it is meditation, therapy, mental exercise, physical exercise AND I get to eat home grown food all year long.
use top rail, build a square and put sidebars, run nylon coated steel cable, youll love it , can hold endless fruit
What you want is called a Tomato Roller Hooks its basically the same thing as a string but as you run out of string you can unlock the roller and let out some extra string. So your crops always have room to climb. This is what professional greenhouses use.
Last year I ran out of string so this is my first year implementing them. I also build a second bed with a trellis thats 10 ft tall
https://preview.redd.it/yywpixnt6fzg1.jpeg?width=5712&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=6d1b5e48b63044868794ab432131753ad198965a
I just redid mine this year and upgraded the 2x4s to 4x4s in concrete.
I started with cages then to T posts (Florida weave) and now to growing up string with tomato clips. This is my favorite method for indeterminate tomatoes. I still do some cages and t posts for determinate.
Yep love this method. It’s very satisfying to keep wrapping the leader around the string. I did end up having to add more than one strings per plant. In the end it was a much better experience than tomato cages.