new tomato trellis idea

[wally mcgee]

I used a similar idea last year using fence posts with metal conduit extending the height and conduit for horizontal members to hang twine from. This year I used 1&1/2" id pvc pipe to extend the post.

The pvc pipe slips nicely over a standard T metal fence post.

I cut the pipe to 8'2" and drilled two holes; 1 just above the fence post and one at 8' to receive the conduit. The system works great, no nuts and bolts. It is easily moved from year to year and they will store nicely also. I use bailers twine and tomato clips for the tomatoes to grow up. I was also pleased with the appearence ; last years looked a little tacky

I put up 4 more of these on the back side of my hoop house.

[luigiwu]

It looks nice but do you think the horizontal conduit will sag from the weight of the tomatoes?

[peppero]

Nice! I enjoy seeing new ideas a trellising , etc. Thanks for sharing.

jon

[wally mcgee]

Originally Posted by luigiwu

It looks nice but do you think the horizontal conduit will sag from the weight of the tomatoes?

I had good luck last year. The weight is distributed between the 2 bars and are only 6' apart.

[luigiwu]

Are you using 1/2-inch conduit? wish I could see the intersections better between the vertical and the horizontals. I'm glad you've done this before and can tell me it works well. I guess the 1.5-inch ID pvc pipe (schedule 40?) is a lot stronger than I think. Always look for great tomato support idea so thanks!

[wally mcgee]

Originally Posted by luigiwu

Are you using 1/2-inch conduit? wish I could see the intersections better between the vertical and the horizontals. I'm glad you've done this before and can tell me it works well. I guess the 1.5-inch ID pvc pipe (schedule 40?) is a lot stronger than I think. Always look for great tomato support idea so thanks!

Here is a picture of the joint. As you can see I just drilled a hole in the pvc to receive the 1/2" conduit. The posts are actually spaced 5' apart. Leaving 30" on each end. The conduit is actually very strong. And the weight is divided between the two.
I knew as I grow more varieties I needed something cheaper than tomato cages. These cost me a little over $20 for a 10' trellis. I have 5 Tomatoes under one of these.

[wally mcgee]

Note: if you try this out. Make sure the pvc pipe fits over the posts. Out the 10 pvc pipes I bought 1 of them was too tight, and it was the pipe and not the post. All the others slipped snugly over the posts.

I will get a picture of the posts tonight......I'm of to take Mom to church for moms day

[Salsacharley]

This is a very nice setup. I don't understand why you need the lower horizontal conduit...?

I am doing a very similar trellis but I don't use the lower conduit. I am using 2 x 3's for my vertical poles with holes drilled like yours. I coated the 2 x 3's in linseed oil, and I have them spaced the entire span of the 10 ft conduit. This is my 2nd year and I'm quite pleased with the strength of the conduit, even with the entire 10 ft span. I grew 6 plants inside each 10 ft span last year but that was too much pruning and not so great a harvest, so I have decreased my plants to 4 inside each 10 ft span this year.

[wally mcgee]

Do you have a picture?

[ScottinAtlanta]

Pictures, please, folks! I like this idea - but still focused on Redbarn's idea of verticals and horizontals of galvanized pipe, held together with plastic ties. This one looks good, too. I would keep the lower horizontal just because it looks more stable.

[Salsacharley]

Here's an attempt at a picture from last year.

[Worth1]

Originally Posted by Salsacharley

This is a very nice setup. I don't understand why you need the lower horizontal conduit...?

For no other reason than they like to drill holes.

I like to drill holes, lots of holes, it is in our nature to drill holes.

Worth

[wally mcgee]

Wow! Nice indeed!

[luigiwu]

Love these pictures! I would think the bottom conduit would help with bracing?

Salsa Charley, How tall are your 2x3 (8ft or 10ft or?) and are they buried in the ground or only nailed/screwed to the wood beds? Also what kind of twine are you using? Are you just twirling the plant around the string or are you using clips?

but again, I'm shocked to hear that these conduits don't sag. I was thinking of using rebar coz I am that paranoid?

No issues with the wind just blowing everything over?

[wally mcgee]

Originally Posted by Salsacharley

Here's an attempt at a picture from last year.

Here is my set up last year. You can see I had tomato cages incorporated in the mix. I decided it would be very costly to do the same as I am now growing more plants. That's why I am switching to the new system. It is also easier to set up.