My construction for growing tomatoes

[MrBig46]

I want show you, how I grow tomatoes. I grow tomatoes on the construction, which has upside cages from concrete mesh (15x15 cm about 6x6 inches). I have three cages each 3x2 m ( in all 18 m2-194 square feet )- picture 1. I grow about seventy tomatoes on this construction- all I prune on the one sucker. For tomatoes I used strings before, I use spirals now. It is better. I worked in Telecom and these spirals were used for wiring thin telephone cables from one building to another (protection against intensive wind, etc.). I do spirals myself. I wind up zincing wire (d=2 mm) on the pipe (d=35 mm). I extend screws to the spiral then-picture 2.Hitch of spiral picture 3. Growing plan of my tomatoes for 2013 year-pic 4. Storage of spirals in winter- pic 5.

[mattkeddie]

That is really creative! Is it troublesome getting to the plants this way?

[JamesL]

Originally Posted by MrBig46

I want show you, how I grow tomatoes. I grow tomatoes on the construction, which has upside cages from concrete mesh (15x15 cm about 6x6 inches). I have three cages each 3x2 m ( in all 18 m2-194 square feet )- picture 1. I grow about seventy tomatoes on this construction- all I prune on the one sucker. For tomatoes I used strings before, I use spirals now. It is better. I worked in Telecom and these spirals were used for wiring thin telephone cables from one building to another (protection against intensive wind, etc.). I do spirals myself. I wind up zincing wire (d=2 mm) on the pipe (d=35 mm). I extend screws to the spiral then-picture 2.Hitch of spiral picture 3. Growing plan of my tomatoes for 2013 year-pic 4. Storage of spirals in winter- pic 5.

Vladimir,
Nicely done! How high off the ground are your cages?

[peppero]

imagination at work is so interesting.

jon

[BucksCountyGirl]

Wow...that looks really cool! Best of luck to you this season!

[MrBig46]

I plante two raws, next distance (path) 75 cm or 90 cm (cca 3´), two raws (45 cm betwen them)…….I have no problems.
My cages are only 150 cm high off the ground. I should need six feet, but I bought cages in frames from L profile as second hand iron (six cages….800,- Czech kronen about 50 dollars). I made hooves from frames of three cages. I adapt to it for ten years.
Vladimír

[FlyingZ]

Is this a permanent installation? Looks very stout. I use overhead cables with strings dropped down on tomato hooks that I make my self. This spiral wire, can you describe it some more. Here is a photo of my set up.

[Durgan]

Originally Posted by FlyingZ

Is this a permanent installation? Looks very stout. I use overhead cables with strings dropped down on tomato hooks that I make my self. This spiral wire, can you describe it some more. Here is a photo of my set up.

Ideal system. Simple and not too complicated.

I do similar with about 30 tomato plants but use rebar.
http://www.durgan.org/URL/?ZWBJH 12 June 2012 Tomato Support System
A few more cords were added today to support fruit laden branches. The tomatoes are absolutely free growing with no obstructions.There are 32 plants. I choose a different location each year. My tie strings are 1/4 inch rope tied as necessary.


What size wire do you use for the overhead lines? I would imagine that sagging is a problem.

[MrBig46]

Originally Posted by FlyingZ

Is this a permanent installation? Looks very stout. I use overhead cables with strings dropped down on tomato hooks that I make my self. This spiral wire, can you describe it some more. Here is a photo of my set up.

No, this is not permanent installation. I displace my constrution with my son in autumn every year. We roll two outlying cages (which have feet) and than put up them medium cage – cca 10 min. I write something about the spirals today, I must consider how to write in English.
Vladimír

[MrBig46]

I made seventy spirals (1,6 m long) in last year. I bought wire ( 4 kg) for 140 Kč- about 8 dollars.
I penciled something- pic.

[FlyingZ]

Originally Posted by Durgan

Ideal system. Simple and not too complicated.

I do similar with about 30 tomato plants but use rebar.
http://www.durgan.org/URL/?ZWBJH 12 June 2012 Tomato Support System
A few more cords were added today to support fruit laden branches. The tomatoes are absolutely free growing with no obstructions.There are 32 plants. I choose a different location each year. My tie strings are 1/4 inch rope tied as necessary.


What size wire do you use for the overhead lines? I would imagine that sagging is a problem.

I use 1/8" aircraft cable, about 1500 lb working strength. It does sag, but I put in supports about every 15' or so.

[MrBig46]

Toamatoes are planted
Vladimír

[Durgan]

Originally Posted by MrBig46

Toamatoes are planted
Vladimír

Beautifully Done.

[MrBig46]

Tomatoes are planted, but I must add a compost, wooden ash, cover earth to tomatoes and mulch by wooden chippings. All about after fourteen days.
Vladimír

PS.:I found Brantford on th Google maps. Is Brantford 43° NW ?

[Durgan]

Originally Posted by MrBig46

Tomatoes are planted, but I must add a compost, wooden ash, cover earth to tomatoes and mulch by wooden chippings. All about after fourteen days.
Vladimír

PS.:I found Brantford on th Google maps. Is Brantford 43° NW ?

43.1394° N, 80.2643° W
Brantford, Coordinates

Practically at the equator, but you wouldn't know it today since it is about 9C.