Caging vs. Sprawling - Page 3

camochef · October 31, 2009

Carolyn,
My statement wasn't an attack upom you or Freda or anyone else. It was simply astatement of what is. 5 years ago I could manage everything in the gardens too. but not anymore! I've gotten older and I'm unable to do as much as I used too. It's simply fact.
I planted this years gardens pretty much crawling. By the time I was halfway down the last row of the last garden, my back locked up. I couldn't do much at all. I'm talking walking, standing, even sitting comfortably. Mrs Camo, who's legally blind, had to finish that last row for me.
I was aware of your situation, although not all the exact dates, and I knew you were a strong supporter of sprawling. I also know many follow your example, I know I did when I first started with heirlooms after reading your book. After all, you were the source of information! I was simply trying to say that situations change and if I had to depend on sprawling now, I couldn't do it. Cages are the only way for me to grow tomatoes now. Although one year I grew them between rows of fencing and that worked too, just required a lot more fencing than cutting it up and making cages.
I'm sorry if you took offense as none was intended, I would never do that intentionally. Like I said earlier, to each their own. For me thats caging, especially now that I have all that money invested in cages and stakes. Although next year I'm not doing tomatoes, its back to alliums, peppers and beans. I can still use cages for beans.
Camo

no charge · October 31, 2009

I have tried various ways also, over the years, this year I took a different approach:

.

Was a lot of work, but very pleased with the results.

no charge

b54red · October 31, 2009

Nice looking setup.

Blueaussi · October 31, 2009

Great set up!

Did you use a sort of Florida weave, or run string/wire down to each plant?

no charge · October 31, 2009

Blueaussi and b54red, Thanks!

Here is a better pic, earlier, after plant out time.

I used (2) wires (the kind they use for electric fencing) along the top, 1 on each side of the T-Posts. Ran another wire at ground level to tie baling twine, dropped from the top. As the plants grow, you just wind them around the twine.

Worked Great, but will replace the wires on top with conduit next season , as it sagged in a few places.

no charge

camochef · October 31, 2009

no charge,
very nice looking set up, but it looks a lot more labor intensive than simple cages, probably more costly too. As someone over 60 and without a post hole digger, I think I'll stick with cages. There also a lot easier to move to a new location season after season.
Camo

pete · October 31, 2009

I grow 60-70 plants a year. I have tried weaves, tunnels, sprawling, and crw cages. I check the local junkyard 2x/month and sometimes find crw there for scrap cost. It is also a good place to go to get ideas (although my wife doesn't always agree on the beauty of some of the treasures i drag home). For me, the crw cages are the easiest, most reliable form of support. I do put a metal tee-post at the end of each row and fasten the tops of the cages to a wire that connects each post. I use hog rings to fasten the cages to the wire- it is quick and easy. I try new ways every year, and next year I have some 8'X4' fence panels with 2"X4" holes that will set on their sides and make a tee-pee structure for cherry tomatoes. I'll let my kids use the inside as a fort!

no charge · October 31, 2009

Ya Camo, it was very laborious, but the T-Posts are there for the duration.

Thinking I might put greenhouse plastic over early this spring, for early start in the ground. Remove for summer, then reinstall for fall, will give me an extended growing season.

Blueaussi · October 31, 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by no charge

Thinking I might put greenhouse plastic over early this spring, for early start in the ground. Remove for summer, then reinstall for fall, will give me an extended growing season.

Oh, that would probably work. I made a hoop house using PVC supports, but the T-posts would work well, too. Another plus of your system!

About how far apart are the posts? If you said that somewhere I missed it.

October 31, 2009	#37
pete Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: cincinnati Posts: 202	support I grow 60-70 plants a year. I have tried weaves, tunnels, sprawling, and crw cages. I check the local junkyard 2x/month and sometimes find crw there for scrap cost. It is also a good place to go to get ideas (although my wife doesn't always agree on the beauty of some of the treasures i drag home). For me, the crw cages are the easiest, most reliable form of support. I do put a metal tee-post at the end of each row and fasten the tops of the cages to a wire that connects each post. I use hog rings to fasten the cages to the wire- it is quick and easy. I try new ways every year, and next year I have some 8'X4' fence panels with 2"X4" holes that will set on their sides and make a tee-pee structure for cherry tomatoes. I'll let my kids use the inside as a fort!

October 31, 2009	#31
camochef Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Gettysburg, Pennsylvania Posts: 707	Carolyn, My statement wasn't an attack upom you or Freda or anyone else. It was simply astatement of what is. 5 years ago I could manage everything in the gardens too. but not anymore! I've gotten older and I'm unable to do as much as I used too. It's simply fact. I planted this years gardens pretty much crawling. By the time I was halfway down the last row of the last garden, my back locked up. I couldn't do much at all. I'm talking walking, standing, even sitting comfortably. Mrs Camo, who's legally blind, had to finish that last row for me. I was aware of your situation, although not all the exact dates, and I knew you were a strong supporter of sprawling. I also know many follow your example, I know I did when I first started with heirlooms after reading your book. After all, you were the source of information! I was simply trying to say that situations change and if I had to depend on sprawling now, I couldn't do it. Cages are the only way for me to grow tomatoes now. Although one year I grew them between rows of fencing and that worked too, just required a lot more fencing than cutting it up and making cages. I'm sorry if you took offense as none was intended, I would never do that intentionally. Like I said earlier, to each their own. For me thats caging, especially now that I have all that money invested in cages and stakes. Although next year I'm not doing tomatoes, its back to alliums, peppers and beans. I can still use cages for beans. Camo

October 31, 2009	#32
no charge Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: West Plains, Mo. Posts: 47	I have tried various ways also, over the years, this year I took a different approach: . Was a lot of work, but very pleased with the results. no charge

October 31, 2009	#33
b54red Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Alabama Posts: 7,068	Nice looking setup.

October 31, 2009	#34
Blueaussi Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: South Carolina Zone 8a Posts: 1,205	Great set up! Did you use a sort of Florida weave, or run string/wire down to each plant?