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Old March 14, 2016   #31
brooksville
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Anyone use the 8 foot T posts for tomato support?

We do. Converted to all 8 foot trellis system. Labor intensive, but worth it for us. We use PVC elbows and tees with 3/4 EMT conduit, works great. Just remember to keep things tight. This year we are spacing plants at 2.5 feet in the row on 5 foot centers.

The pic is of pole beans, but same process.
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Old March 16, 2016   #32
Gardeneer
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Very nice, Brooksville.
Yeah, EMT fittings are too expensive. You can use pvc fittings but probably have to pre drill and use one or two small screws at each connection.

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Old March 17, 2016   #33
brooksville
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Very nice, Brooksville.
Yeah, EMT fittings are too expensive. You can use pvc fittings but probably have to pre drill and use one or two small screws at each connection.

Gardeneer
Yes, it is expensive, but they do last an awful long time....

Thanks for the compliment too.
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Old March 17, 2016   #34
Worth1
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One problem with white PVC fittings they get brittle over a period of time.
To get around this get electrical PVC fittings that are listed for outside use.
I would also like to state that if you are not an electrician then going to Home Depot ans Lowes will limit you on what you know or see that is available in fittings.

If you have access to a welder you can use the metal set screw conduit couplings welded to the top and side of the T post to connect your conduit from post to post.
You can buy this for like $ 8.00 for 25 of them.
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Raco-EMT-...23CP/203671413
Another option would be to weld or lash a sleeve at the top and that way you could put the posts as close together as you want without cutting.


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Old March 18, 2016   #35
Douglas14
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Christian,

I use T posts to support the florida weave method(you can look it up online). I use a non-stretching twine to support the plants. I was going with 3 plants between T posts, but plan on two plants between posts this year. If you set the T posts too deep, they are difficult to remove in the fall.
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Old March 18, 2016   #36
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I'm old school, I guess. I used to use wooden stakes for support, but they would rot too fast for my liking. I use rebar and sucker rod for stakes now, but am a big fan of CRW cages since last year. Florida weave didn't work out too well for me.
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Old March 18, 2016   #37
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I'm old school, I guess. I used to use wooden stakes for support, but they would rot too fast for my liking. I use rebar and sucker rod for stakes now, but am a big fan of CRW cages since last year. Florida weave didn't work out too well for me.
I wished I would have scrounged a few 1000 feet of 3/4 sucker rod when I had the chance.

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Old March 18, 2016   #38
pauldavid
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I wished I would have scrounged a few 1000 feet of 3/4 sucker rod when I had the chance.

Worth

I heard that Worth! I was given some junked sucker rod, but they work great for stakes. Wish I had a lot more myself.
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