This year I planted my tomatoes in holes filled with mulch and as a
result I'm getting bigger plants than I am used to. The problem is
keeping them tied up. I need so much material to tie them that I have
started using twine rather than the traditonal cloth strips torn from
old sheets. Is twine the standard for those who don't use cages?

Thanks

"Dave" wrote in message oups.com...
This year I planted my tomatoes in holes filled with mulch and as a
result I'm getting bigger plants than I am used to. The problem is
keeping them tied up. I need so much material to tie them that I have
started using twine rather than the traditonal cloth strips torn from
old sheets. Is twine the standard for those who don't use cages?

Thanks


I have never used twine and I guess it would work. I have used the spools of twist-tie as well However, I usually collect old bed
sheets, etc. and cut/tear into strips. I think the cloth ties work better and don't cut into the plant.

--

Al Reid

Dave wrote:
This year I planted my tomatoes in holes filled with mulch and as a
result I'm getting bigger plants than I am used to. The problem is
keeping them tied up. I need so much material to tie them that I have
started using twine rather than the traditonal cloth strips torn from
old sheets. Is twine the standard for those who don't use cages?

Thanks

I have always used twine, not sisal, for tying up my tomatoes. Never
had a problem.

Bill B wrote:
Dave wrote:

This year I planted my tomatoes in holes filled with mulch and as a
result I'm getting bigger plants than I am used to. The problem is
keeping them tied up. I need so much material to tie them that I have
started using twine rather than the traditonal cloth strips torn from
old sheets. Is twine the standard for those who don't use cages?

Thanks

I have always used twine, not sisal, for tying up my tomatoes. Never
had a problem.

I have cages around mine and do not tie them at all. It's probably too
late to put cages around yours since they're so big, but it's something
to think about next year.

"GK" wrote in message ...
Bill B wrote:
Dave wrote:

This year I planted my tomatoes in holes filled with mulch and as a
result I'm getting bigger plants than I am used to. The problem is
keeping them tied up. I need so much material to tie them that I have
started using twine rather than the traditonal cloth strips torn from
old sheets. Is twine the standard for those who don't use cages?

Thanks

I have always used twine, not sisal, for tying up my tomatoes. Never
had a problem.

I have cages around mine and do not tie them at all. It's probably too
late to put cages around yours since they're so big, but it's something
to think about next year.

I have been growing tomatoes for over 20 years and have always staked and tied. What to you believe the advantages are to using
cages?

I have the materials laying around to make them is it is really a better way to go.

Thanks,

Bill B wrote:

Dave wrote:

This year I planted my tomatoes in holes filled with mulch and as a
result I'm getting bigger plants than I am used to. The problem is
keeping them tied up. I need so much material to tie them that I have
started using twine rather than the traditonal cloth strips torn from
old sheets. Is twine the standard for those who don't use cages?

Thanks

I have always used twine, not sisal, for tying up my tomatoes. Never
had a problem.

I use twine as well, I tie a loop around the plant and leave it very
loose, secured with a square knot and then tie the other end of the
twine to the stake. I have the cages but they are a p.i.t.a. as fas as
I'm concerned. Just try to get at the fruit at the bottom of the plants.
Just another gimmick to get $ outta your pocket. Geeze, how did folks in
the old days every grow 'em without all of this fancy stuff? ;-)

--
Steve
Ever notice that putting the and IRS together makes "theirs"?

"Dave" wrote:

This year I planted my tomatoes in holes filled with mulch and as a
result I'm getting bigger plants than I am used to. The problem is
keeping them tied up. I need so much material to tie them that I have
started using twine rather than the traditonal cloth strips torn from
old sheets. Is twine the standard for those who don't use cages?

Thanks

I cage mine, but I've had very vigorous plants just throwing big vines
outside the cage and those I use twine with. Just never tie them so
tight the stem can't expand. The thickest tomatoe stems I've had are
about 1/2"-5/8" diamter. Any loop of 3/4" more should be good even
for a 12 foot tall vine.

For the very reason you are experiencing I will never not use cages.
I've had a lot of vigor in my plants and they are simply too big to
stake. I also prefer a lot of medium sized tomatoes rather than trying
to force gigantic beefsteaks for show/novelty.

DiGiTAL ViNYL (no email)
Zone 6b/7, Westchester Co, NY, 1 mile off L.I.Sound
3rd year gardener
http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/royalf...=/2055&.src=ph

Are the twist ties Ok to use? won't they constrict the width of the
stems? I used them and now I'm think maybe I better either losen them
or use something else.


Wed, 22 Jun 2005 12:13:37 -0400, "Al Reid"
wrote:

"Dave" wrote in message oups.com...
This year I planted my tomatoes in holes filled with mulch and as a
result I'm getting bigger plants than I am used to. The problem is
keeping them tied up. I need so much material to tie them that I have
started using twine rather than the traditonal cloth strips torn from
old sheets. Is twine the standard for those who don't use cages?

Thanks


I have never used twine and I guess it would work. I have used the spools of twist-tie as well However, I usually collect old bed
sheets, etc. and cut/tear into strips. I think the cloth ties work better and don't cut into the plant.

wrote:
Are the twist ties Ok to use? won't they constrict the width of the
stems? I used them and now I'm think maybe I better either losen them
or use something else.


Wed, 22 Jun 2005 12:13:37 -0400, "Al Reid"
wrote:


"Dave" wrote in message oups.com...

This year I planted my tomatoes in holes filled with mulch and as a
result I'm getting bigger plants than I am used to. The problem is
keeping them tied up. I need so much material to tie them that I have
started using twine rather than the traditonal cloth strips torn from
old sheets. Is twine the standard for those who don't use cages?

Thanks


I have never used twine and I guess it would work. I have used the spools of twist-tie as well However, I usually collect old bed
sheets, etc. and cut/tear into strips. I think the cloth ties work better and don't cut into the plant.



I wouldn't but I suppose that you could as long as there is ample room
in the loop around the plant to let the stems increase in diameter. I'd
be leary though as the plant gets larger that the weight of the plant
itself may be enough to let the small wire internal to the twistie cut
into the stem. Dunno though as I've never used them.

--
Steve
Ever notice that putting the and IRS together makes "theirs"?

I use green survey tape. Works great.

John!

Dave wrote:
This year I planted my tomatoes in holes filled with mulch and as a
result I'm getting bigger plants than I am used to. The problem is
keeping them tied up. I need so much material to tie them that I have
started using twine rather than the traditonal cloth strips torn from
old sheets. Is twine the standard for those who don't use cages?

Thanks

I use cages made from concrete reinforcing wire panels, they stand
about 4 feet tall. The openings in the cage is big enough to sneak
hands in, fruit out. No tying required, just tuck the odd branch back
into the cage. Makes a great mini-greenhouse for early starts. I have
mine wired up as cages, so need room for storage. Could store these
guys flat though.

Plants are pouring out the top by mid-season, and I don't have to worry
about taking care of them.. as long as the cage is secured to not tip
over!

in article , Dave at
wrote on 6/22/05 9:06 AM:

This year I planted my tomatoes in holes filled with mulch and as a
result I'm getting bigger plants than I am used to. The problem is
keeping them tied up. I need so much material to tie them that I have
started using twine rather than the traditonal cloth strips torn from
old sheets. Is twine the standard for those who don't use cages?

Thanks

The best method I have seen fo tomatoes os one that is used by most
hydroponic growers.


The support tomatoes from a wire or bar that is above the height of the
tomatoes. I am sure that a home gardener can adapt the method.

A synthtic cord of at least thirty feet length is wound upon a bracket or a
reel. This is hung from the main support. The cord is dropped down to the
level of the tomatoes. Plastic support clips are used that simultenously
clamp onto the cord and around the tomato stem. These clips can be unsnapped
for the next season.

Hydroponic growers usually have a maximum height they use both because of
greenhouse costs and the labor for tending the tomatoes. As the plant grows,
they unreel or unwind string. This drops the portion of stem from which
tomatoes have been harvested while providing access to the new growth and
new tomatoes. This way, they can get 30 feet of vine within a limited
height.

I put some screw eyes in the eaves of my house from which I hang tomatoes.
For another spot, I stretched a wire between two by four posts.

Unfortunately, I do not know what the official names for such items are, but
a Google search for tomato support or a similar term ought to get you to a
vendor. These items, even at boutique hydroponics stores, will cost less
than tomato cages.

Bill

A well designed cage works great, almost no maintenance, just poke the
growing tips back inside.

An example...
http://www.gardenerssupply.com/Shopp...&RecGroupNum=1
I found them slightly cheaper elsewhere, but you could build similar.

I let my tomatoes grow wild, no pruning. I end up with 6-7 foot tall 2
foot wide bushes. The ones by the porch steps I actually ran string
down to the cage and they grew up the string after filling the
cage--then I had to tie them. But if I have to tie a few vines that
are 9-10 feet in the air I'll struggle with that extra work.

The trick is large openings on the cage. I have big hands and getting
to any fruit has never been an issue. I see my landlord's staked
tomatoes. He pinches, ties them, they sag, they droop. Eventually he
just leaves them however they are. Never an issue with these
particualr cages.

And they are folding and re-usable. They were worth the investment.
I'm looking at buying another four this year to deal with my expanded
garden.


Steve Calvin wrote:

Bill B wrote:

Dave wrote:

This year I planted my tomatoes in holes filled with mulch and as a
result I'm getting bigger plants than I am used to. The problem is
keeping them tied up. I need so much material to tie them that I have
started using twine rather than the traditonal cloth strips torn from
old sheets. Is twine the standard for those who don't use cages?

Thanks

I have always used twine, not sisal, for tying up my tomatoes. Never
had a problem.

I use twine as well, I tie a loop around the plant and leave it very
loose, secured with a square knot and then tie the other end of the
twine to the stake. I have the cages but they are a p.i.t.a. as fas as
I'm concerned. Just try to get at the fruit at the bottom of the plants.
Just another gimmick to get $ outta your pocket. Geeze, how did folks in
the old days every grow 'em without all of this fancy stuff? ;-)

DiGiTAL ViNYL (no email)
Zone 6b/7, Westchester Co, NY, 1 mile off L.I.Sound
3rd year gardener
http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/royalf...=/2055&.src=ph

"Dave" wrote:

This year I planted my tomatoes in holes filled with mulch and as a
result I'm getting bigger plants than I am used to. The problem is
keeping them tied up. I need so much material to tie them that I have
started using twine rather than the traditonal cloth strips torn from
old sheets. Is twine the standard for those who don't use cages?

Thanks

They other day I needed to tie a friend's tomato plant to a stake (I'm
plant and fish-sitting while they are vacationing). I didn't have wire
handy and was in a rush, so I broke a wild onion/chive plant that was
growing from a crack in the patio. Threw off the flower head and used
it like cord. Worked great for now. I think I'm just going to give
them a cage to make it easy.

DiGiTAL ViNYL (no email)
Zone 6b/7, Westchester Co, NY, 1 mile off L.I.Sound
3rd year gardener
http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/royalf...=/2055&.src=ph

"DigitalVinyl" wrote in message
news
A well designed cage works great, almost no maintenance, just poke the
growing tips back inside.

An example...
http://www.gardenerssupply.com/Shopp...&RecGroupNum=1
I found them slightly cheaper elsewhere, but you could build similar.

I let my tomatoes grow wild, no pruning. I end up with 6-7 foot tall 2
foot wide bushes. The ones by the porch steps I actually ran string
down to the cage and they grew up the string after filling the
cage--then I had to tie them. But if I have to tie a few vines that
are 9-10 feet in the air I'll struggle with that extra work.

The trick is large openings on the cage. I have big hands and getting
to any fruit has never been an issue. I see my landlord's staked
tomatoes. He pinches, ties them, they sag, they droop. Eventually he
just leaves them however they are. Never an issue with these
particualr cages.

And they are folding and re-usable. They were worth the investment.
I'm looking at buying another four this year to deal with my expanded
garden.


The Gardener's Supply site also has tomato ladders. I ordered them last
year but after I got them I was skeptical about them. I called them and
wanted to return them, but they said to use it and if it didn't work to send
them back for a refund at the end of the season. Well, they worked very
well, and I ordered more this year.