When Should I Cage My Tomato Plants?

Tomato plants are known to grow tall and sprawling, and they require a bit of support to keep them from falling over as they mature. One of the most popular methods for supporting tomato plants is by caging them. But at what point in their growth cycle should you cage your tomato plants?

When to Cage Your Tomato Plants:

As a general rule of thumb, you should cage your tomato plants as soon as they develop their first set of true leaves. This typically occurs around two to three weeks after you first plant the seedlings. Tomato plants that are not caged can grow up to six feet tall, and their sprawling branches can spread out as much as six feet as well. Caged tomato plants only grow to the height of the cage, which is usually around four to five feet.

The Advantages of Caging Your Tomato Plants:

There are many advantages to using a cage to support your tomato plants. First and foremost, caging your tomatoes keeps them from sprawling out too far and taking up too much space in your garden. Additionally, caged tomato plants are easier to manage and maintain. You can train them to grow upward, allowing for easy access to the fruits, and you can also prune them to keep them in check so that they don't grow too large and bushy.

How to Cage Your Tomato Plants:

Caging your tomato plants is a simple process. Begin by inserting a tomato cage into the soil around the base of each plant. The cage should be at least four to five feet tall and made of sturdy wire. As the plant grows, use soft twine or zip ties to secure the branches to the cage, gently guiding them upwards. You may want to prune some of the lower branches to allow for more airflow and light to reach the fruits. Make sure to regularly check the cages and adjust the ties as needed to ensure that the plants are growing upward and not drooping or bending.

When to Remove the Cage:

The time to remove the cage from your tomato plant depends on the variety you are growing. Indeterminate tomato plants, which continue to grow and produce throughout the season, should be left caged until the end of the growing season. Determinate tomato plants, which produce all of their fruit at once and then stop growing, can be removed from their cage once they have reached their maximum height and produced all of their fruit.

In Conclusion:

Caging your tomato plants is an easy and effective way to support their growth and maintain their shape throughout the growing season. By following the guidelines outlined in this article, you can ensure that your tomato plants grow upward rather than sprawling out, making them easier to manage and maintain. Remember to cage your plants as soon as they develop their first set of true leaves, and to adjust the ties as needed to keep them growing upward and not drooping or bending.