Using a Tomato Cage

Many tomato plants are heavy producers that grow all season long, giving you plenty of ways to use this tasty veggie. We recommend adding a stake or cage to your plants for the best tomato yields. A form of support will help your plants in several ways, starting with space. 

Certain tomato varieties produce fruit all season, leading to plants that grow like a vine. Without support, these plants will trail along the ground and take up space that could be used to grow other veggies. As the fruit grows and ripens, it can quickly become covered in dirt or be eaten by critters, such as rabbits. Another bonus of these cages is the extender, which adds 24" to the final height if your plants reach the top. 

Using a cage also helps to reduce disease problems. Tomatoes are prone to certain fungal diseases, making it critical to provide air circulation around the plants. An upright plant will have much better airflow than a plant without support. The leaves will also dry quicker after a rain, helping to prevent disease spores from spreading on the plant. 

A tomato cage also supports the plants as the fruit becomes heavier, allowing the stems to remain sturdy without breaking. And finally, it's much easier to see and harvest the fruit when it's off the ground. All these benefits will give you a bigger, better harvest! 

Other Uses 

Using a tomato cage goes beyond just growing tomatoes. The structure can provide frost protection for your plants in the fall, giving you more time to extend the harvest. During winter, the cages can be used to protect other plants in your landscape, such as roses or evergreens. Wrap a cloth around the cage and use it as a cover or windbreak. Suppose you're experimenting with plants that are marginally hardy for your zone. In that case, you can pile leaves inside the cage before wrapping cloth around the outside. Other veggies, such as cucumbers, can also benefit from tomato cages, helping you save space and grow more of your favorite veggies. 

Storing these cages is easy, as they fold into a flat shape that fits in tight spaces. The cages are made with durable material that will last many years, giving you many seasons of healthy plants! 

Here are simple steps to using your tomato cage:

Step 1
To assemble the cage, just pop it open! (In this video, we’re using the XL Pro Series Cage.)

Step 2
Center the cage over your plant and press the legs into the soil. This cage will support your plant as it grows. 

Step 3

Need to add an extender? Snap all four couplers to the bottom of your extender and attach to the cage, and then follow your instructions to secure locks onto the couplers.

Guard your tomato plants against common pests and problems with these top tomato solutions. 

Guard your tomato plants against common pests and problems with these top tomato solutions.