Texas Tomato Cages

[Ed of Somis]

Please forgive me if this is a repeat question. This is my first year with the TTC's...and I think I am going to like them. My question is: Do these cages need to be anchored down with some kind of support so they don't tip over? thanks in advance...

[Worth1]

Depends on the soil.
Where mine are I dont support them.
Even in raised beds I have seem them do fine without support.

More importantly they need to have some grease put in the holes where the other part slides in.
If you want to be organic use lard.
Lard is one of the most underutilized lubricants and rust protectors there is.

Worth

[kerns125]

We had a derecho here in DC in 2012 with winds up to 80 mph, and my Texas tomato cages stayed upright while all my other cages blew over. They go so deep that they were anchored nicely just on their own. The connecting parts do rust and I wish I'd added grease to mine from the getgo, as Worth recommends....
Jen

[Ed of Somis]

thanks worth...Mine are in a raised bed with pretty soft soil/amendments. I thought I read somewhere that folks were driving rebar alongside the cages for support.

[Gardeneer]

Ed, if you are concerned, get some 2 -3 ft 3/4" rebar ( from home depot) and drive couple of the next to opposite legs and fasten with some wire. The even hurricane cannot topple it.

Gardeneer

[peebee]

I think being in CA where we don't have extreme weather conditions, your cages will be just fine. I've had mine for over 5 years and they are the best things I've ever bought. I consider them an investment and wish I'd bought more, I could've gotten more years and use out of them. They have never toppled over once.

[Worth1]

This is just one more reason I put 4X4 posts up in my raised beds.
I can tie a string from the post to the cage and then a string from cage to cage.
As many know we have some big time storms in Texas with high wind.
With or without support I have never had a Texas Tomato Cage go down in eight years.

Worth

[My Foot Smells]

I stake mine down with a t-post. that way I don't have to jam the TTC all the way in the ground and have more cage above the dirt. Most of my tomato plants grow 8-9 ft tall, so an extension is often necessary to keep things clean. I've had these things (ttc) stacked four high and t-post anchor was like rock of gilbrator. grew a supersweet 100 that went banannas like jack in the beanstalk. by season end needed a 12 ft ladder. seeing that you live out in the golden state with long season, seems like an easy step on the front end that will add options later, w/o having to poke a new hole in the ground with mature plant in progress.

[Ricky Shaw]

I liked the idea of T-posts, and you're buying a structure, not just a cage.

Pic 1, industrial wrap, open vented day.
Pic 2, skirt and hood for frost

[Ed of Somis]

I sure appreciate the input! I can see where a variable would be...how deep you push the legs down in the ground. I could have pushed mine down all the way to the first ring...but left it about 6" above ground level. Our weather is mild...so perhaps I am good.

[Gardeneer]

I have a few el cheapo cages That sometime I use them for smaller plants.
In order to keep them taller, instead of pushing the legs deeper , I stake them ( one per leg).
I have not seen TTC but I gather that their legs are farther apart that can offer better stability.

Gardeneer

[Worth1]

Originally Posted by Gardeneer

I have a few el cheapo cages That sometime I use them for smaller plants.
In order to keep them taller, instead of pushing the legs deeper , I stake them ( one per leg).
I have not seen TTC but I gather that their legs are farther apart that can offer better stability.

Gardeneer

The picture above your post is Texas tomato cages without the top half.

Worth

[Ed of Somis]

gardener....you might consider them. I bought a six-pack...and I am pretty impressed at how stout they are. They are pricey, but folks seem to really love them.

[Gardeneer]

Thanks , Ed.
I plant closely and Cages are not that suitable. I stake my plants. This way the whole air space is shared with all the plants. I think TTCs are worth the price, for being made of galvanized material and foldable for easy storage.
Gardeneer