Tomatoes need cages or stakes. It is a fact of life, and it is what it is. They get tall, they get sprawly, and there’s nothing worse than coming out in the morning to the garden and discovering that a heavy, ripening tomato…
(Sorry. I needed a moment there. And what I really need is a tomato plant to nurture.)
…has fallen off the plant because you hadn’t supported the branch properly and it drooped and snapped off and oh my God the horror the horror.
So cage ‘em up, people. Cage ‘em up.
But…there are more ways to do this than just to go to your local hardware store. While I’m not crafty, I admit being intrigued by Laura Crichton’s invention, the Tormato. Featured on Lifehacker over the weekend, this little funnel-shaped wonder provides water directly to the tomato plant’s roots (where it’s most needed), and a sturdy support for the growing plants.
Next opportunity I get, I’m giving it a try. But if you try it out, come on back and tell us how you did. I’m curious to hear field reports!
on Jun 2nd, 2009 at 11:37 am
……..or you could try the ever versatile and efficient tomato-potato plant. We have planted one, which arrived in the mail unsolicited and without a sender identified, but we suspect it came from a Nerstrand farmer with a sense of humor………
Loved the Santa Cruz wildflowers. That should become a card in your Inadvertent Gift Shop!
on Jun 2nd, 2009 at 11:43 am
I’m not so convinced about the tormato. Interesting idea, but it’s too ugly to look at! I prefer careful staking and tying, and an upside-down bottle at the base of each plant for deep, isolated watering. I posted a tomato update on my blog today. Good luck with yours this year.
on Jun 2nd, 2009 at 2:24 pm
Rosie, the tomato-potato plant, huh? I’m curious to see how *that* grows!
Themoderngardener, you know…maybe it’s just ’cause it’s red, but I don’t think it’s that ugly at all!
on Jun 4th, 2009 at 12:45 am
better than to go to local hardware store, i think we can use frugal things around :)
on Jun 8th, 2009 at 4:17 am
I can’t decide if this tormato thingy is artsy or dirt ugly, but I am going to bookmark it nonetheless. I’m on a quest to discover new and creative tomato staking ideas. (I’d really like to retire the traditional wire cages.) Thank for sharing this one!
on Jun 8th, 2009 at 12:17 pm
I do have cages around my tomatoes. Both my plants are completely unruly and I don’t really know how to prune them properly. I am in the Noe Valley are of SF, so if you make house calls, come on by anytime for a tomato tutorial!
on Jun 18th, 2009 at 12:13 am
Morello, frugal is good these days…
Indiana Annie, it’s probably going to get all covered up by tomato leaves anyway!
Delilah, you’ve got unruly plants growing in SF? That’s impressive — tomatoes are so challenging in Noe Valley!
on Jun 5th, 2010 at 10:23 pm
[...] not forget to support tomatoes with cages or stakes! Otherwise the fruits may droop and snap off: http://j.mp/cCoKaZ [...]