Tomato farming has gradually gained popularity among farmers over the years—moreover, the global demand for tomato increases. Tomato plants, however, need tender care throughout their growth. You can achieve high-level care by using the best tomato cages to support the plants as they grow.
This article highlights the considerations when incorporating the best tomato supports in the farm which include:
- The factors considered when selecting a cage.
- Differences among tomato stakes cages.
- How to set up the best tomato stands featured in the article.
The Top Five Tomato Cages
|
Material |
Thick steel core with a hard plastic coating |
Durable steel core insulated by a thick plastic coating |
Galvanized steel rings and rods |
Steel tube core coated with durable plastic |
Heavy-duty galvanized steel |
|
Height |
48’’ and 60’’ |
51” |
33” |
48’’ |
48” |
|
Number per set |
25 |
3, 6 and 30 |
10 |
25 |
2 |
|
Surface texture |
Non-slip ribbed surface |
Course texture for grip locking |
Smooth texture |
Small rough rail spurs |
Smooth finish |
|
Rust and water resistance |
Resistant |
Resistant |
Resistant |
Resistant |
Resistant |
|
Installation |
Very easy |
Easy |
Easy |
Very easy |
Very easy |
1. Grownsun – Best Tomato Cages for Containers
This 0.4-inch diameter thick steel core with a hard plastic coating offers the ultimate strength needed to support tomato plants. It ensures the plants grow vertically and keeps the fruits off the ground.
The surface is ribbed to increase friction and inhibit slipperiness hence ensuring maximum support to the stems via a firm contact. They are supplied in 4 and 5 feet variations, a great height for aeration of the plant, and easing the care and harvesting processes.
It is durable hence its use in making the best tomato cages for containers. The plastic coating protects the inner steel from corrosion and adverse weather effects.
Unfortunately, these stakes are only available in green, not offering much in terms of color choice. Among its versatile usage, Grownsun stakes are the preferred candidates for making the best tomato support structures.
Installation: Gently and carefully drive the rod into the ground beside the plant until it secures a firm anchorage. Lastly, use clips to fasten the plant to the stake.
2. Growneer – Best Cages for Tomato Plants
This durable and robust tripod cage provides excellent tomato support. It is composed of three metallic rods which are insulated by thick plastic. These rods are joined by snap-on arms to form the tripod structure, which confines and supports the tomato plant.
The Growneer guides the plant vertically while offering continuous support with the adjustable arms. The structure can be easily assembled and set up within minutes. The sets consist of 3, 6, and 30 packs alongside all the related accessories.
The cage offers the best tomato support up to a height of 51”. Its design mostly favors vertical growth but inhibits lateral branching of the tomato plant. The surface of the stakes has a coarse texture to lock and secure the arms in place.
Installation: Each of the three stakes is drilled into the ground separately. The snap-on arms are then clipped on at a specific interval to form a triangular column.
3. Panacea – Tomato Cage With the Most Straightforward Setup
The best tomato cage supports the plant throughout its growth. It has a conical shape that allows it to accommodate the plant as it grows from young shoot to a mature, highly branched plant.
Panacea’s form is the following; three metallic wires joined with three circles of different diameters with the smallest at the bottom. This way, Panacea is achieving a conical shape that makes this cage extra reliable to support the plants and fruits. Galvanized wires protect them from corrosion. They are also light in weight hence making the Panacea less bulky. The fixed structure makes the cage rigid.
Installation: Being industrially fabricated, Panacea achieves its desired shape. This shape makes the installation easier since there is no assembly step. You just need to insert three vertical rods into the ground encircling the plant.
4. G-Leaf – Best Tomato Stakes Cages
Gleaf ranks among the top ten tomato maintenance productsaccording to most of tomato cages reviews online. Gleaf stakes look like a steel tube coated with a thick green waterproof plastic. This plastic protects it from rusting and water permeation. It offers excellent support strength for an extended duration able to last several seasons.
The surface is of tiny non-slip bumps for grip during installation and plant support. One of the stakes ends is sharpened for easy placement into the ground. The only disadvantage with Gleaf is the tubular rather than reliable steel center, which compromises its strength.
Installation: Simply apply hammer the steel rod into the ground to install the stake and restrain the plant on it.
5. EZGrow – The Most Durable Cage For Tomato Plants
EZGrow is an assembly of four durable, heavy-duty stands joined together with a collection of five similar circles at a constant interval from the bottom up. All materials are galvanized to prevent rusting. The joints are movable, making it the best tomato cage due to its flexibility. It can be folded when not in use and stored.
The stands are easily driven into the ground to set up the cage. Additionally, it offers a large surface area for the plant’s anchorage stems and provides support. One drawback of this design is the disjoining of parts after repeated use.
Installation: Unfold the cage and gently push the four stands into the ground until they are firmly held.
Buyer’s Guide
What is the best tomato cage?
A tomato cage is agriculturally described as an external structural support that aids the plant to grow vertically. It is instrumental in supporting the branches and the fruits during the production season. These cages are requisite in the farming of vegetables to optimize the yield.
How to stake tomatoes?
Cages are the best way to support your plants. However, it takes more than the cage to protect tomatoes securely. Clips go a long way in ensuring the stem is fastened firmly to the stakes to prevent its breakage and straightened for vertical growth. The most used and recommended clip is the Ram-pro lever loop gripper clips.
How to Use a Tomato Cage?
The correct usage of the best tomato cages is as essential as the purpose they serve. To ensure you get the maximum support from whatever type of cage you are using, there are some three simple steps to be followed. First, anchor your cage about 6 inches into the ground. Then, as the vegetable grows, use clips to attach the vines to the cage. Monitor the plant as it becomes. Reinforce the clips holding the branches bearing the fruits.
Do I Need a Tomato Cage for Any Sort of Tomato?
All tomatoes need cages but some more than others. Determinate vegetables grow to a length of 3 to 5 feet tall. They mature within a shorter duration and produce fruits at once during the season. This necessitates the use of the best tomato cages to support the weight of the plant and fruits.
However, indeterminate tomatoes produce fruits throughout the season, meaning it has fewer fruits to support at any instance and grow to a height of about 10 feet. It, therefore, needs a cage with enough room to accommodate it.
How Many Tomatoes Can you Plant in One Cage?
Plants should be spaced at least 3 feet apart when planting. Each plant should have the best tomato support; therefore, one plant in each cage. The plant should be centered in the cage, and the vines evenly distributed in the cage as it grows.
Indeterminate tomatoes grow taller than determinate hence they need taller stakes of taller cages to avoid overcrowding of the plant in the cage. For farmers with limited space, 2 feet is acceptable but may hurt the overall yield per plant.
Final Thought
It is undoubtedly clear that tomato farming requires the utilization of the best tomato cages one can find. These, coupled up with clips, offer the best support to your plants, protecting both the stems and the yield. Be sure to scout around for the best support for your farm before planting the tomatoes.