Do Your Tomatoes Need Support?

The reasons why we use a trellis system… 

Ever had sprawling, ground-hugging tomato plants? If you’ve been there, you’ll understand the struggle. Unstaked tomatoes tend to sprawl along the soil, even developing roots from their stems. This results in horizontally growing plants with fruits trailing along the ground – definitely not ideal, right? This is why we trellis our tomatoes!

While tomato cages are a common support option, they often fall short, especially with indeterminate tomato varieties that grow quickly beyond the cage’s capacity. Our journey with tomato-growing began similarly, and we swiftly realized that cages might not cut it for larger plants! 

Our preferred solution? A sturdy trellis system! Specifically, we favor the A-Frame trellis, which we’ve featured in our photos and videos. The versatility of a trellis shines once you’ve set up the frame. But how do you make the most of it? We’ve got you covered – read on in this newsletter!

Ways to use a trellis system…

Now that we’ve established the effectiveness of a trellis system for growing tomatoes, let’s delve into its practical applications. Once you have the frame set up, there are a couple of strategies you can adopt to maximize your tomato growth – namely, the single leader strategy and the Florida weave technique.

Single Leader Strategy:

In this approach, you meticulously prune away any suckers that sprout as your plant grows. This encourages vertical growth, enabling you to wrap the main stem around a twine support. This strategy not only fosters vertical growth but also maintains a neat and organized tomato area, a method favored by many commercial growers.

Florida Weave:

Here, you set up a vertical frame (even just two posts at the ends of a bed) and run twine horizontally between them. Creating multiple rows of twine, you weave your tomato plant as it grows, helping the stem remain upright. Although we haven’t personally tried this method yet, we’re planning to give it a shot in one of our upcoming seasons.

Remember, only indeterminate tomatoes require trellising, while determinate plants can grow without it. And while tomato cages are a practical option, they might not be suitable for larger tomato varieties like ours. Experiment and find what works best for your garden! 

5 Key Takeaways

1. Vertical Growth: A trellis system encourages vertical growth, preventing sprawling vines and keeping your tomato plants more organized and accessible.

2.Better Air Circulation: Elevating your tomatoes off the ground through trellising improves air circulation around the plants, reducing the risk of fungal diseases and promoting healthier growth.

3. Optimal Sunlight Exposure: Vertical positioning on a trellis ensures that more leaves receive direct sunlight, leading to improved photosynthesis and ultimately better fruit production.

4.Ease of Maintenance: Trellised tomatoes are easier to prune, support, and harvest. Accessing and caring for your plants becomes more convenient with the vertical arrangement.

5. Space Efficiency: Utilizing vertical space with a trellis is especially beneficial for smaller gardens, allowing you to maximize your planting area while enjoying larger yields.

What’s next?

We trust that this week’s newsletter has provided you with valuable insights and inspiration for your kitchen garden endeavors. But rest assured, our journey together doesn’t conclude here.

Stay connected with us on social media for an abundance of gardening tips, exclusive behind-the-scenes glimpses, and real-time updates. Engaging with our community and learning about your unique gardening experiences brings us immense joy. Join the conversation and become a part of our flourishing community of plant enthusiasts on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube.

Feeling motivated and envisioning your own kitchen garden project? We are more than delighted to have a chat with you. Our team is ready to offer guidance, share our expertise, and collaborate to bring your garden dreams to fruition. Whether it’s a design consultation, construction services, or a personalized plan, we are eager to embark on this exciting journey alongside you.

Don’t hesitate to reach out and initiate the conversation. Share your aspirations, ask questions, and allow us to assist you in turning your vision into a thriving reality. We are thrilled to be part of your kitchen garden success story!

We are here to help you achieve your gardening goals! Reach out with any questions that might come up throughout your journey. 

We are excited to announce that there are some new DIY plans on our Etsy store. Whether you need some more storage in the garden, are looking to spruce up your curb appeal or are looking for a new way to grow your tomatoes, we have something for you!

Check it out here – https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/WillowLaneGardenCo

Best regards,

Tessa & Kyle
Willow Lane Garden Co.

P.S. Tag us in your garden photos and stories on social media. We’d love to see your green thumb in action!