Many tomato varieties grow indefinitely and require a stake or trellis. We will tell you when and how to tie or support tomatoes and which materials are suitable.
The topic of tomato climbing aids is diverse and leaves room for creativity with regard to the material and appearance of the climbing aids. But do all tomatoes need a support? What are the different ways to support tomatoes? And when do tomatoes need climbing aids? We explain the answers to these questions in the following article.
Which tomatoes need a climbing aid?
Nearly all tomatoes - except for dwarf and bush tomatoes with extremely short shoots and stout growth or wild tomatoes growing outdoors - sooner or later need support. Most varieties grow indefinitely as a stake tomato and can reach a height of over 250 cm. If the tomatoes are not tied, the plants will fall over the summer, bend or break under the weight of large fruits. Tomatoes lying on the ground are vulnerable to pests and diseases such as slugs and soilborne late blight (Phytophthora infestans).
When should tomatoes be supported?
Tomatoes should ideally be fitted with a support when planted from May onwards. This avoids injuries to the root system or shoots, which can easily occur if bars or trellis are installed later. The climbing aid of the tomatoes also protects the plants from bad weather and gusts of wind right from the start, especially outdoors. Depending on the growth and size of the young plant, the growing shoots and fruit buds must be checked regularly and tied if necessary.
For planting, supporting and tying is not the only important care measure - fertilization must not be neglected either. A long-term fertilizer such as our Plantura organic tomato fertilizer can be mixed into the existing soil before filling the planting hole. The predominantly organic fertilizer granules is over aSlowly broken down by soil organisms over a period of about three months, releasing the nutrients it contains for the plant roots. In the summer, you fertilize with a lower dosage, which will supply your tomato plants until the end of the season.
Tie tomatoes correctly
Tomatoes are not climbers and will not hold onto existing bars or trellises by themselves. They should be tied with caution and care so that no shoot injuries occur and the plant is still sufficiently supported. Introducing several ways to tie tomatoes and keep them upright.
String up tomatoes on strings
Training tomatoes on strings is the most common practice on vegetable farms that grow tomatoes in greenhouses. This type of support can also be used under a rain canopy and outdoors, provided the support structure to which the cords are attached can support enough weight.
The big advantage is that the plants are not rigidly tied to sticks, but hang loosely on the ropes with a little play. This freedom of movement allows the tomatoes to sway in wind and weather, so they are not damaged. In addition, tying the tomatoes is very easy because the string is wrapped directly around the growing shoot.
One disadvantage, however, is that the type of support is not suitable for multi-stemmed, bushy plants. However, with two strings, two-headed tomatoes can also be cultivated well in the greenhouse. To attach the cord to the tomato plant more gently, the thread can be attached - instead of with a loop - using a plastic ring, which is clipped around the shoot.
Which cord is suitable for tying up tomatoes? Strong, tear-resistant materials such as nylon or packing cord can be used for several years. However, they are made of plastics that should not end up in the environment. More sustainable and biodegradable alternatives such as hemp, sisal, coconut fiber or jute twine usually only last one season, but can be disposed of with the plant on the compost.
Support tomatoes with spiral stakes or plant stakes
A good alternative for tying up and supporting tomato plants is to use metal, bamboo or wooden plant stakes. This type of tying is associated with less effort, since the stake for planting is simply inis stuck to the ground. The plant is then attached to it with string, elastic bands or plant ties. A tomato stick is suitable for cultivation in greenhouses, outdoors and in pots. Traditionally, a metal spiral rod with a coil is used for greenhouse cultivation, such as for cucumbers and tomatoes. Spiral rods also make it possible to wind the plants around the twisted plant rod so that they remain upright without additional attachment.
If you want to tie tomatoes in a pot, we recommend sticking three or four bamboo sticks into the ground around the edge of the pot at equal distances from each other. Then you wrap the sticks in a helix from bottom to top with sisal or other rope, so that the shoots of the plant in the middle can lean on the cords if necessary. This loose type of support is particularly suitable for wide, sprawling, multi-shoot plants such as wild and bush tomatoes.
When tying the tomatoes, make sure that there is enough space between the plant and the stick. The shoot becomes even stronger and the cord can otherwise cut in or injure the plant. Alternatively, plastic clips and plant rings can be used to clip around the shoots and stems.
Pull up tomatoes on trellis and trellis
Tomatoes outdoors are often tied to wooden or metal trellises or trellises. A tomato trellis made of bamboo not only impresses visually, but is also very easy to build yourself. However, the durability of the material is not particularly high.
On trellises, tomatoes are primarily grown with only one main shoot. The fruit panicles can be tied to the horizontal crossbars if they threaten to break off.
Trelli, on the other hand, make it possible to tie up fruiting side shoots and thus also heavily branched plants. Young shoots can be carefully woven into the lattice structure and then do not have to be additionally fixed with twine. However, disposing of the dead plants in late autumn is difficult.
Support tomatoes with trellis tower or trellis
A climbing tower for tomatoes is particularly worthwhile for potted plants. The climbing aid consists of metal rods that are arranged lengthwise around several rings of different sizesare and thus form the framework of a tower. Alternatively, wire mesh can be bent into a rectangular trellis or cage and placed over the plant. In the middle, the climbing towers offer space for the tomato shoots: Depending on the diameter of the metal rings, the entire plant or just the main shoot is supported. Narrow climbing towers are therefore well suited for single-shoot plants, wide climbing towers for multi-shoot cocktail and cherry tomatoes.
The big advantage is that the shoots can lean against the metal frame and are only attached when needed. They are therefore also an ideal climbing aid for wild tomatoes with their strong, multi-shoot growth. Climbing towers or columns should definitely be installed when the tomato is planted to avoid damaging the roots and shoots.
Instructions: build your own tomato trellis
A metal tomato support can be used over and over again. However, it should be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected before each use so that no soil-borne diseases are transmitted to the new young plants. Wooden climbing aids, on the other hand, are short-lived, but they are easy, quick and cheap to build.
If you want to build a climbing aid for tomatoes yourself, you only need stable, approximately 2.5 m long sticks made of bamboo or wood and tear-resistant cord. Climbing tents can be quickly built from bamboo, hazelnut or willow sticks. To do this, the long sticks are inserted deep into the ground in parallel rows about 50 to 70 cm apart. Tie the sticks together about six inches below the top and attach a crossbar over them for more stability. A tomato plant is attached to each pole or placed in the middle under the tent and pulled up with cords on the cross pole. A trellis or trellis can be built from wooden slats with a few screws or nails. All in all, good climbing aids for tomatoes can be created in a short time with just a few materials.
Tethering tomato plants is always linked to the type of shoot training. In our article Upgrading tomatoes, we present the various ways of growing a tomato plant. There we also explain how to recognize stinging shoots and how to remove them without causing injury.