posts for florida weave

[Errol]

I have decided to go with the florida weave to support my tomatoes next yr., I just can't decide what type of posts to use. I was thinking on 7 ft tall t-post on each end, (tomatoes will be in a 50 ft row) but don't know if 7 ft would be tall enough for inderterminate tomatoes. Then I was thinking on using 2x2 wood inbetween every 2 tomato plants by ripping a 2x4 8ft long and 12-14 inches in the ground. But am wondering if the wood will be strong enough? Now I wonder if 10' x1/2" rebar would be strong enough? I sure don't want to have tomatoes breaking supports and ruining tomatoes!
I sure would like some suggestions on this from all you guys with past expereience with posts for florida weave system
thanks again
Errol

[Keiththibodeaux]

I am doing the same thing. I am thinking of going with 10 foot t-post driven 2 feet into the ground, for an above ground height of 8 feet

[cornbreadlouie]

Originally Posted by Keiththibodeaux

I am doing the same thing. I am thinking of going with 10 foot t-post driven 2 feet into the ground, for an above ground height of 8 feet

I think I'm going to steal your idea!

Those puny cages just don't cut it. Maybe for pepper plants.

[Worth1]

You need to get 10 foot wood corner posts 8 inches in diameter for the ends. Dig at least 2 foot deep holes if not 3 feet and sink them.
Tee posts are too flimsy for anything but center posts.
Use 8 foot tee posts sunk 2 feet deep for the center posts.
In this way you can get the wire or twine fiddle string tight.
Even then the tomatoes will over grow the fence.

Trust me on this.

Worth

[Worth1]

1/2 Re bar has no lateral strength as tee posts do and is a poor choice it is better off used for what it is meant to be used for, concrete.
To get the strength from it you would need to go up to at least one inch and the cost wouldn't be worth it.
The 1/2 re bar would flop like a fishing pole.


Worth

[Keiththibodeaux]

For end post, 6 foot t-post driven at 45 degrees outward, then wired back to tip of 10 foot t-post. In our clay soils, 2 feet more than deep enough. 3 foot deep is a herculean effort.

[Worth1]

I have hard soil here too but I look at it as life saving exercise.

Worth

[ChrisK]

I have used 10 ft pressure treated 2x2's sunk 2 feet for several years now. The plants grow well over the 8 feet of post above ground, often flopping over and starting back up again (16 foot vines is common). The 2x2's on the end will definitely bend considerably. Next year I use 8 ft landscape timbers (on sale at the big box stores for ~$2 on a regular basis) on the ends of rows and at an angle.

[Mark0820]

I used 8 ft. t-posts and pounded them 1 1/2 ft. in the ground (left 6 1/2 ft. above ground). 10 ft. t-posts will work if you are tall enough to reach 8 ft. high to pick the tomatoes. I can only reach to about 7 ft., that is why I chose 8 ft. t-posts.

[tam91]

Mine do go over the top of the t-posts, but then they just start back down, which works out fine for me.

[Errol]

ChrisK, I had thought about buying 2x4 10ft treated and ripping them for the center posts, then using 4x4x10ft treated on each end. My tomatoe row will be 50 ft., did your 2x2's work ok for the center post? without breaking? the 8 or 10fy t-post are just a little "rich" for my pocketbook

[ChrisK]

Worked great. 2x2s on the end bend since the load is unbalanced.