Fold up cages

[Medbury Gardens]

I was talking with some people the other day about growing with cages ,problem is here in New Zealand we cant buy the type cages like you folks in N America can,all we (NOT ME) are able to get these Chinese made things that are not even big enough to grow a dwarf in.

Can someone please post some photos of some fold up cages and also what are the best makes of cages available on the market as i'm thinking i might look to import some

[simmran1]

The Store Away Tomato Cage
Tags: cage, pvc pipe, tomato cage

By Mindy McIntosh-Shetter
Tomato gardening takes space not only from the standpoint of land or containers but also from cages, stakes, or trellises.
But a solution to this problem is no farther than the hardware store or construction site.
This tomato cage is made much like one made from chicken wire, but instead of trying to fold wire, this cage can be taken apart, tied together, and stored away.
The items needed for this project are listed below. But keep in mind that these dimensions can be changed to create a trellis or to house more than one plant.
Materials needed:
· Goggles
· Mulch
· Handsaw
· 41 feet of electrical conduit, cut into 20 pieces measuring 20 inches long and 3 pieces measuring 28 inches long
· 4 pieces of 2-inch PVC measuring 5 feet long
· Drill with 3/4 inch bit
· Level
Tape four PVC pipes together with tape and mark where the hole will go with a permanent marker. The holes need to be 3 inches from the top and 12 inches from the bottom as support. Drill additional holes at every 12 inches from the bottom measurement. At 20 inches, 30 inches and 40 inches from bottom, drill holes at a 45-degree angle to existing measurements.
Plant tomato in the garden space in a deep hole making sure that all leaves are removed except the top five leaves. Tease the roots before placing in hole and fill in hole with a potting soil and compost mixture. Water tomato plant in to settle soil and add additional soil if needed.
Place 5-foot pieces of PVC pipe around the tomato plant in the shape of a square. Set PVC pipes in the ground. Make corresponding holes level. Slide together the 20-inch and 28-inch pieces of conduit into the holes on the PVC.
Place 2 inches of mulch around the tomatoes. Place a watering hose in the bottom hole and water the tomato plant. This type of tomato cage allows water and fertilizer to reach the roots instead of moistening the top of the soil, which can reduce plant diseases.
Once you make the first tomato cage you will be addicted to the ease of this style of tomato cage and will make many more. So until we blog again, May the garden fairy grant you the season to garden with ease, but with these tomato cages, storage will be a breeze. So take the time to try just one and find out how easy it is done.

[mdvpc]

Med

I bought years ago, probably 10-12, cages from Tomato Growers. Here is the link, so you can see what they look like.

I use one cage for determinates or dwarfs, and one stacked on top of the other for big indeterminates.

The photo is close to the bottom of the page.

http://www.tomatogrowers.com/supplies.htm

[Mark0820]

Simmran1,

That is an interesting approach to a tomato cage. About 4 years ago, I made the CRW cages. They are nice, but storage is a real problem since they don't fold. They also tend to tip easier (get blown over when the plants are tall) since they are round (instead of square). I have a few cages I purchased from Burpee's (probably 10 years ago) that are the same as mdvpc provided a link to. Square cages are definitely more stable. I like your idea, and might have to give it a try this year. The poetry is nice too.

[Medbury Gardens]

Originally Posted by mdvpc

Med

I bought years ago, probably 10-12, cages from Tomato Growers. Here is the link, so you can see what they look like.

I use one cage for determinates or dwarfs, and one stacked on top of the other for big indeterminates.

The photo is close to the bottom of the page.

http://www.tomatogrowers.com/supplies.htm

Thanks for the reply's

Those cages from tomatogrowers are a good price,certainly get years of use out of them alright.

[les matzek]

hi med,
texas tomato cages are the best i have used all though
not cheap at 99.95 for six of them plus 32.95 shipping
here in the u.s. they come in 24 inch and 18 inch buy
6 ft. tall and they fold up flat after the season is over.

they are made out of 1/4 inch galvanized steel i have
had mine for about 5 years and they are still almost
leke new.(texas tomato cages.com) regards.

lse

[Medbury Gardens]

Thanks lse,having a look now at that site