Support and protect your tomato crop

April 1, 6:04 AMSoutheast MI Home & Living ExaminerJackie DiGiovanni

Previous Next

9 comments Print Email RSS Subscribe

Subscribe

Get alerts when there is a new article from the Southeast MI Home & Living Examiner. Read Examiner.com's terms of use.

Email Address   Include other special offers from Examiner.com Terms of Use

Photo by Zenera

With spring officially here, we are in planting mode. If you want homegrown tomatoes this year, start tomato plants from seed indoors, or buy seedlings from a greenhouse or farmers market. Make sure you include plant supports in your plans.

According to the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service, of North Carolina State University, tomato plants need staking to keep the tomatoes off the ground. The supports also help air circulation.

There are commercial tomato cages and supports available, or you can create your own.

The University of Illinois Extension recommends stakes as plant supports. Plant the tomatoes in a row and install stakes. Make sure the stake is as tall as the tomato plant will grow. Attach string to the stakes every 6 inches and carefully weave the plant in the string as it grows.

Watch this video from YouTube on how to make a tomato cage with concrete reinforcing wire.
 

 Check out the slide show for other ideas on support systems.

Just for fun: Install Google Earth. Enter Michigan in the Fly to text box. 

If you would like to know about new articles, click on Subscribe for spam-free email. To contact me, send email to searcher22@comcast.net. You can also follow me on Twitter and Digg.