A Tomato Cage That Won't Make You Rage!

[@trevor246]

This is the most detailed video on tomato cages I have ever seen!

[@martinbrodie8507]

I made 100 cages with concrete reinforcement wire 25 years ago and they are still going strong. They are hands down THE BEST support for tomatoes.

[@Zorrosnowy]

I used a cheap grinder with a metal cut off wheel to make mine and I stake mine instead of giving up the 4-5” to sink prongs into the ground. Also less pointy spots on the cage to stab oneself !

[@lucasgrowsbestyt]

That works too Sheila!

[@CliffHolstein]

I started using this type of cage ~30 yrs ago when a 50ft roll was $50. I had 3x3 raised beds so I made them 3ft in diameter, a little to wide, but for my size raised bed they worked good. My neighbor put in a 4x8 ft raiswed bed and I made some for her but 2ft in diameter. The cages (8) worked great in that size of a bed. In my opinion the perfect size. And yes you can stack them. I did that a few yuears ago but needed a step ladder to harvest the tomatoes. These cages last, I am still using the same cages I built years ago

[@lucasgrowsbestyt]

Well worth the investment! Mine are just shy of 2' wide and they do the trick for unpruned plants. Thanks for watching Cliff, make sure to check out some other videos on the channel!

[@kennybright7896]

I built 4 of these last year. They are great. I do still use some store bought cages but I find the heavy guage 4 ring ones that are tough and sturdy. You are right, the other ones are junk. As for storage, I unhook them and flatten them out somewhat and stack them in a corner of my shed. Nice video.

[@lucasgrowsbestyt]

Awesome, Kenny! I actually find store bought peony cages work well for determinate tomatoes. Cheers and be sure to check out some of my other vids. Fresh content soon.

[@DP-hy4vh]

Woven cattle fence wire works too. You'll need bolt cutters and fence pliers to make them.

[@somai_1]

Did yours rust?😊

[@lucasgrowsbestyt]

That’s true, I find cattle panel is expensive though were I live and requires the plants to he pruned and tied/woven through the support.

[@manenoml0341]

lucas awesome! you tought me something new. I saw some people who use thin pol for each tomato tree. next i will teach them to use wire cages. Thanks!!!

[@lucasgrowsbestyt]

Thanks, glad you like it!

[@myronparks3495]

Nice cages. I am going to make mine bigger in diameter. I borrowed some last year. About the same size you have in the video. When my tomatoes was growing they were pulling the cages out of the ground.

[@GrowWithKit]

They look like they’ll be perfect mate Cracking video All the best

[@lucasgrowsbestyt]

Thanks Kit!

[@angeliquidevil]

“It was an enraging experience”. I feel you! 😂

[@NicksAllotmentDiary]

Those cages look really sturdy. Ideal for supporting your tomatoes. Take care. Nick

[@lucasgrowsbestyt]

Thanks Nick!

[@sheilaXOTWOD]

Wow!!! Just the video I was looking for! I am now excited for this season to come :) thanks!

[@Elkins24]

I like your cages and the idea, I am going to use zip ties rather than bending the wire to connect the to ends to make the round cage. I am going with the 5' length also and when tied together should be 18" in diameter.

[@lucasgrowsbestyt]

Awesome! Just curious, why go the ziptie route?

[@Elkins24]

@@lucasgrowsbestyt After the tomatoes die in the fall or when we get our first freeze, can cut the zip ties and store the cages flat in my storage area under the back poarch.

[@CustomGardenSolutions]

Lucas great episode. I never tried to stack cages. I might have to give that a try.

[@markaveravlogs]

Another great video Lucas.

[@lucasgrowsbestyt]

Thanks Mark. Based on the view count apparently others don't feel that way.

[@Yin-Yang-444]

Great informative video. Thanks for sharing.

[@matthewkheyfets1309]

I got the wire fencing but I'll just cut some of the wire out to make the squares larger lol

[@lucasgrowsbestyt]

Whatever works!

[@DaCake2]

Hey Lucas, great video. Speaking of eggplant... mine last year actually did get 5 to almost 6 feet tall and the fruit got so large the plants started to fall over with the stakes. Im curious if you think they would do well in the concrete mesh cage? Im going to make them this week for my tomatoes and while Im at it, if you think it would work, I'll just make 8 more. Please let me know what you think. Thanks!

[@lucasgrowsbestyt]

Thanks! Wow, I didn't even know eggplants could get six feet tall, but then again, I have never grown them. I think they would work great in that case, just make sure you don't make the diameter too large as this would probably cause the plants to fall to one side of the cage. I would gauge required diameter by how bushy your plants have gotten in past seasons. Good luck!

[@DaCake2]

@@lucasgrowsbestyt Me either haha. I was pretty shocked. Sounds good. I plan on going to get some tomorrow. You said you made yours a foot and a half diameter correct? So essentially, did you just cut 3 foot sheets and roll them up? Thanks for the reply btw!

[@lucasgrowsbestyt]

You're welcome, glad to help people trying to learn. I purchased the concrete mesh at Lowe's in a roll, 5 x 50 foot. I cut five foot sections (10 6" squares). Since it was in a roll they formed a cylinder automatically. Out of one roll I got 10 cages, total cost was $100 CAD plus bolt cutters.

[@DaCake2]

@@lucasgrowsbestyt Appreciate that. Look forward to seeing more videos of yours in the future.

[@mikehendrix6558]

You said in 1 of your videos you don't prune suckered. In this video you said you do prune suckered. So which is it?

[@lucasgrowsbestyt]

I use both methods!

[@laurelharrison4196]

Awesome

[@cultivatingorganicbyjomig1719]

Very very informative and useful video. Here is TU15

[@fortnb]

Do you store them outside or put them in a building or something during winter?

[@lucasgrowsbestyt]

In the past I've unhooked them and nested them inside one another and put them up on the rafters of the garage but this is a royal pain, so last winter I just put them all at the side of my house. Are you growing tomatoes this year?

[@fortnb]

LucasGrowsBest yes sir love home grown maters I worked on the cages today don’t know what to do with them once the garden is done. I’ll figure something out

[@lucasgrowsbestyt]

@@fortnb Good luck!

[@sherrya6902]

This cage will not keep out the critters.

[@lucasgrowsbestyt]

You’re right. It’s just intended as a support. But you can always wrap mesh around it!

[@elizabethblane201]

In areas with long seasons, even a nice cage like these won't do. Our stems will grow 12 to 15 feet per season. Lower and lean using tomahooks is the only way to go for us.

[@AB-bv8xt]

Very informative!

[@johnhurt888]

not cheap. $100+ for the bolt cutters

[@Steph0n]

🤔🙂