Tomatoes

[Southern Gardener]

They have exploded since I planted and now I'm afraid I've planted them too close together - especially in the back.

 

[Andy J]

No big deal.I'd stake them and tie them up as best as I could.I sure wouldn't pull any of them up unless I were going to plant them somewhere else.

Live and learn.It ain't the end of the world.

Andy J

 

[digitS']

I always had problems with the plants falling over when I used tomato cages, Joan. Therefore, I'd put 3 stakes to hold the cages. After doing this for a few years, I just used the stakes with twine around some of the plants.

I've also used single stakes but they required considerable pounding to get them deep enuf. Cable ties made tying up quicker . . .

Finally, I decided that I had plenty of room, little problem with mud spattering and I just went for a sprawl . . . Not the best way, but 60+ plants meant lots of tying thru the season for me.

Steve

 

[Southern Gardener]

Steve, I do have a few tomato cages, although they are hard to see in the picture - they are very old and rickety - a neighbor gave me a few. I'm also using wood stakes and a couple of t-posts and twine for tying them up. 60+ plants are a lot of tying!

 

[simple life]

I use the stakes as well but I tie them with knee highs or pieces of pantyhose.
They are quick and easy to tie, they hold tight and don't squeeze a growing stem.

 

[Southern Gardener]

We used to use pantyhose on the tomato plants when I was growing up - six girls in the house. I haven't worn pantyhose in ten years - I don't have to "dress" for work - thank goodness!

 

[simple life]

I hear ya, I don't wear them either unless I am going to a wedding or a funeral but I buy them on clearance for the tomatoes.

 

[hoodat]

Tomatoes stand up to crowding better than most plants but you might want to trim some of the side branches and watch carefully for pests. They can hide easier in crowded plants.

 

[seedcorn]

I crowd mine as well. Bear fine, just hard (for me impossible) to see tomato worms. cages have been a waste of money for me. Tried stakes/baling twine--didn't like it. So this year I've got a bunch of posts, will tie some to posts. I also use straw so that they don't rot from dirt.

Tomatoes are very resilent.

 

[hoodat]

I crowd mine as well. Bear fine, just hard (for me impossible) to see tomato worms. cages have been a waste of money for me. Tried stakes/baling twine--didn't like it. So this year I've got a bunch of posts, will tie some to posts. I also use straw so that they don't rot from dirt.

Tomatoes are very resilent.

You may want to check my post on reusable tomato cages. They are inexpensive when you consider how many years they last.
http://www.theeasygarden.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=28426