We’ve been too busy gardening in between wrestling tech tigers to write much on this, but you know the saying: “A picture’s worth a thousand words.” So… maybe a video is worth 10,000 or so, when it comes to sharing about staking tomatoes. 🤔

Our approach to tomato growing has shifted. We have adopted a method used by commercial growers. It’s what we call the “string method”.

Our set up is much simpler than this elaborate commercial greenhouse in nearby Mt. Airy, NC. However, the basic methods are the same.

Staking Tomatoes With the String Method

• Support the tomato using a taut vertical strand of material (jute)
• Tie or clip plant at the low end; wrap string around the stem as it grows
• Adjust (tighten) the tension to keep plant upright as it grows
• Prune side stems up to one of two leaf stems above first set of tomato blossoms
• Keep suckers pruned

Part 1: Staking and Pruning Tomatoes with Jute Twine

In 2019 staking, we’re using the string method.

Part 2: Staking Tomatoes with Jute Twine

In this video you’ll see the advance growth of the tomatoes and plants as compared to the previous month.

Staking Tomatoes Using the Florida Weave Method

This is the tomato staking method we used last year. It worked well, though it was a little harder to maintain than the string method in the videos above.

For more on growing tomatoes, you may enjoy this article on colored tomatoes.

If you can’t wait until your tomatoes are ripe, try some scrumptious Southern fried green tomatoes. And, if your tomatoes are already ripe, you might love this stuffed roasted tomatoes with feta and mint. A great way to use garden tomatoes, garlic and mint or parsley!

Let’s keep on growing!