Staking tomato plants

Everyone gets excited about growing tomatoes to have that wonderful taste of that outdoor vine ripened, Columbia Basin sun grown taste. However, there is a yearly dilemma in growing the tomato vines and how to keep them off the ground.

Pre-made tomato cages are often too small, and larger tomato cages made from concrete reinforcing material are heavy, difficult to make, and a problem for off-season storage. It’s important to keep the plants off of the ground to reduce plant susceptibility to disease and rot. 

One of the best methods to keep tomato plants off the ground is staking. Use one large wooden stake or t-metal fence post per plant, then each plant is attached by clips or cloth strips. Buying numerous tomato stakes can get expensive if you choose to grow a dozen or more plants. Another method of staking tomatoes is called the Florida weave. This method reduces staking time and the number of stakes needed for plant support. 

Step 1 of the Florida weave staking method:

1. Tomato plants are spaced in the rows at 18 to 24 inches apart. At the end of each tomato plant row install the more supportive t-metal fence post. This will add extra reinforcement.

2. The best string to use is actually polypropylene tomato twine, which will not stretch and is extremely strong. It can be purchased in a box at farm supply stores. Sisal or jute string tends to stretch allowing the tomato plants to flop over.

3. Carefully hammer your stakes into the ground, with two plants between each stake. The stakes should be as straight and vertical as possible, and should be in line with the plants. Make sure the stakes are at least 6 inches in the ground. The stakes should not wiggle.

4. When the tomato plants have grown to almost a foot tall, and before they fall over, the process of stringing the plants should begin. Carefully bring the string in front of the first plant next to the stake, then behind the second plant.

5. Pull the string tight and loop it around the next stake once. Be gentle with the tender plants.

6. Proceed to the next set of plants in the row, repeating steps 4 and 5, keeping the string parallel to the ground.

7. Now the string will be repeated on the opposite side of the row. Weave the string around the first plant. The string will actually be on the opposite side of the plant from the initial stringing. Tie-off and then cut your twine. Don’t pull this side too tight or you’ll break the plants.

8. Tie the end of the string to the stake at the end of the row about 8 inches off the ground.

9. You are now ready for your next row.

You are sandwiching the plants between two walls or baskets of twine. This will keep the plants upright and keep them from cascading out into the rows. Approximately each week, the stringing process is repeated at about 10 inches higher up the stakes. 

Tomato plants are much easier to support by the Florida weave system if they have been suckered. Suckering is the process of removing the stems that sprout in the joints of branches.

Determinate tomato varieties accept the Florida weave staking more readily than the indeterminate plants that can get exceptionally tall and very heavy when loaded with fruit. Consider using taller stakes for the indeterminate varieties. Our heavy winds will add to the stress of the staking. 

You can view this basket weave system on YouTube: Maine Cooperative Extension — How to Grow Tomatoes Basket Weave at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XSf3aSj46jo. 

The Florida weave process works best if started shortly after the time your tomato plants are transplanted into the spring garden. At this time of year (July), many of us have reached a point of frustration with the general trellising systems we had at hand. Save this article for next year and try the Florida basket weave system. 

For answers to gardening questions, contact the Master Gardeners at the WSU Grant-Adams Extension office at 754-2011, Ext. 4313 or email your gardening questions to ga.mgvolunteers@wsu.edu. Visit our web page at http://grant-adams.wsu.edu.