Staking Tomato Plants

The tomato plant is one of the least fussiest and most rewarding plants. It grows in most climates and soils and that too in abundance. But the problem with the tomato plant is that while its stem is very weak, the fruit of the tomato plant is comparatively quite heavy. Tomatoes grow on a vine-like plant and hence the stem needs support so that it will not fall to the ground. Unless it is given support, the tomato plant bends and lies on the ground, as it is unable to support the weight of the fruit. While many people let the tomato plant fall and lie on the ground, it is not a good practice as there are chances of the tomatoes catching pests and rotting due to exposure to sunscald. This is the reason why it is important that we stake tomatoes. Staking tomato plants basically involves giving support to the plant by using a wooden/metal/plastic stake. The stake allows the tomato plant to grow around it like a creeper, giving it support. Thus we prevent the tomatoes from lying on the ground. It is also believed that when staked, tomato plants grow better. So how can you go about staking tomato plants?

How to Stake Tomato Plants?

1. Staking tomato plants is a reasonably simple process. What you are going to need for this project are some 6 ft stakes (one stake for each plant), some string or twine and of course a garden. Oh! And tomato saplings too! If you get wooden stakes, it is important that you apply some wood finish on them. Otherwise your plant support system itself will end up getting rotted!
2. The first step is to mark your spots. The one most important thing in any form of gardening is spacing. Make sure that the spots are nearly 2-4 feet apart. This will avoid crowding and give the plant enough space to grow. Plant the stakes around 10 inches deep. It is important that your stake has a good foundation in order to support the plant when fully grown.
3. Once the plant starts growing, tie the stem of the plant to the stake at about every 12 inches. This will help ensure that the plant continues to grow at a fast pace. It is necessary to keep pruning the plant. Make sure that you keep the plant to one stem. This is done for two reasons. Because pruning the excess branches will make it easier for the plant to be knotted to the stake and also the plant can focus its energies into growing fruits rather than maintaining the unnecessary branches.
4. Once the plant grows to the height of the stake, start pinching the top off. This is also done so that the plant focuses its energies on tomato growth.

So now you know how to stake tomato plants. While this is the traditional process of staking tomatoes, there are also many other ways that are widely followed. This includes the process of building tomato cages. The working is pretty much the same as the plant uses a cage as a support for its growth.

Tomatoes are wonderful plants to grow. With proper care through fertilizers, watering and judicious use of pesticides, you can be assured of a bounty of red, ripe and mouthwatering juicy tomatoes.