How to Hold Up a Tomato Plant

Tomato plants are notorious for being heavy and falling over, especially when the fruit begins to grow. Supporting your tomato plants properly can ensure a healthier and more plentiful harvest. Here are some tips for holding up your tomato plants:

Choose your support system

Before you can hold up your tomato plants, you need to decide what type of support system you want to use. There are various options, including:

Cages

Stakes

Trellises

String systems

Each system has its pros and cons, so it’s important to choose the one that works best for your tomato plants and your gardening situation.

Install support early

To ensure that your tomato plants have the proper support they need, it’s important to install your chosen support system early. This is especially important for determinate tomatoes, as they have a set growth pattern and need support from the beginning.

For indeterminate tomatoes, install support before they begin to flower to avoid disturbing the roots and potentially damaging the plant.

Train the tomato plant

Once your support system is in place, it’s important to train your tomato plants to grow up it. This means directing the main stem and any additional branches toward the support.

If using a cage, gently weave the branches through the wire. If using stakes, tie the branches loosely to the stake with twine. For trellises or string systems, use clips or ties to attach the branches.

Prune the tomato plant

Pruning your tomato plants can help minimize the weight and size of the plant, which can prevent it from falling over. Pruning can also improve air circulation, which can reduce disease and pests.

Remove all suckers – the shoots that grow between the main stem and the branches – to prevent the plant from becoming too bushy. Prune any branches or leaves that are touching the ground, and remove any yellow or diseased leaves.

Consider using additional supports

If your tomato plants are particularly heavy or large, you may need additional supports to hold them up. This can include tying the plant to a neighboring stake or installing additional stakes or cages.

Be sure to space the supports far enough apart to provide adequate room for the plant to grow.

In conclusion

Properly holding up your tomato plants can ensure a healthier and more plentiful harvest. Choose a support system that works for you, install it early, train the plant to grow up it, prune as necessary, and consider additional supports if needed. With these tips, your tomatoes will be looking and tasting great in no time!