10 Easy Pieces: Tomato Cages

Think of tomato cages as scaffolding: You need a support system to keep vines from sagging (or snapping off) under the weight of heavy fruit. Match the right size cage (or trellis, obelisk, or tepee) to the kind of tomatoes you’re growing.

Cherry tomatoes can grow in containers against a flat trellis. Large beefsteak varieties will fill their cages and need sturdy galvanized wire or steel supports with large openings to make it easy to reach in to pick fruit. Plum tomatoes, depending on the size and variety, can grow in tepees, obelisks, or A-frame trellises.

Tip: Be sure to space tomato cages at least three feet apart to allow air to circulate around mature plants.

Here are 13 tomato support systems to consider this summer.

Cages

Obelisks

Tepees

Trellises for Containers

A-Frame Trellises

See more tips for growing tomatoes successfully at Tomatoes: A Field Guide to Planting, Care & Design and see our curated Garden Design 101 guides for more edibles to plant in this year’s garden, including Basil, Lettuces, and Chives.

Finally, learn how to successfully design and create an edible garden with our Hardscaping 101: Edible Gardens guide.