It ’s not rare for me to grow too many tomato – right smart too many .
Last twelvemonth I last made it a point to seriously minimize my supplying , mostly to get a good seasonof crop rotationin .
I decided togrow just two Romasin my garden for roasting . Mmm …
In the past times , I ’ve used a few different types of John Cage and they have never work out out like I trust .
Standard cage are too restrictive and typically are n’t tall enough .
I ’ve also tried staple chicken conducting wire to garden posts . But keeping up with splice each individual plant to the support was really time ware .
So , even though I have a minor harvest , I ’m trying something different – the Florida Weave .
While I ca n’t trap down the full creation story of the Florida Weave , also know as the basket weave , it seems somefarmers in Southern Florida begin experimentingwith trellising love apple in the 1920s .
It ’s no surprise that Florida farmers had an former role in this , as it is the one of the highest tomato producing country in the country , second only to California .
The Florida Weave cuts materials requirements and requirement on your time , and it still yield a large harvest – and the yield is much prosperous to access .
And although I only uprise two Romas last class , start pocket-sized is a great way to try out something new .
The concept is to tissue string in and out of stake and around tomatoes to create a trellis .
Now , with just two Romas , it ’s reliable that I was n’t capable to get the full outcome of the weave . But , that ’s what ’s so heavy about it !
Whether you select to grow just a couple of tomato , or an unending row of them , this support organisation will get the Book of Job done .
Standard Cage just do n’t seem to skip it . And as much as I hump DIY project ( likemy simple raised garden bed made from reclaimed wood ) , I ’m sleep with I ’m not up to the task of build my own cages this class .
And you do n’t have to either !
If you want something uncompromising , reclaimable , jolly priced , and that take only minutes to put together , keep on recitation .
Supplies
All you involve is :
Depending on the variety of staking that you choose , it should be at least 4 to 8 foot long .
I ’m using rebar because I know I ’ll always have it , and I want something that wo n’t agitate onceyummy , ripe fruitsstart adding exercising weight .
Rebar adds up in term of cost , however , especially if you ’re using one billet for every plant . Just keep in mind that it ’s an investment in the future . You will have the rebar for years to hail .
You ’ll just need to sprout up on string each yr , which is relatively inexpensive .
How It’s Done
First , cipher out how many stakes you ’ll need – use one for every two plants , and an supererogatory one for the end of the row .
For additional sturdy accompaniment , you could use one interest for every Lycopersicon esculentum plant .
If you ’re using this systemwith undetermined varieties , which continue to rise until frost hit , I would propose using rebar and using one bet for every plant . It will be much sturdier .
I ’ll understand to Morse codification ( this one made me giggle at myself ) in case you are n’t following :
Stake . Tomato . Tomato . Stake . Tomato . Tomato . Stake . And so on .
push back post at least 12 inches into the ground with a maul , making certain you do n’t get too close to the stand of a plant – you want to leave at least a 3 - inch spread .
When plants are one understructure tall , connect twine to one of the posts at the end of the row . Begin walking along your course of tomatoes , creating a figure - eight pattern with the jute .
Once twine is batten to the first post , pass two tomatoes and wrap the string around the 2nd Charles William Post .
On the diametric side , excrete the next two plants and wrap the twine around the third post .
Wrap the jute an surplus time or two around each post for extra living before actuate on .
form your manner to the ending of the row , turn around , and restate the cognitive process .
bind the train off tightly right where you started .
Each plant life should be in effect sandwiched between two string of twine .
For every 6 inch of growth , append another layer of twine .
That ’s it !
Give It a Try
depend on how many flora you ’re growing , it takes just a few minutes every week or so to weave another round of twine through your plant .
And during the process you cankeep an eye out for weeds , H2O needs , andpests !
Weaving might be a little clumsy in the beginning , but as you work your way up the posts , the operation will get faster as you get into a stream and improve your proficiency .
The Florida Weave is pop amongst growers because it saves metre overall and requires few resource .
And , at the destruction of the season , you could just cut the twineand compost italong with the dust – no wrangling leaves and stem by from a cage or netting .
After my succeeder last year , I have high hopes for this string trellis organization , and plan to utilize it from here on out .
Have you used the Florida Weave before ? portion out what you ’ve learned with us !
For more information about grow tomatoes you ’ll need these guides :
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Amber Shidler
