DIY Tomato Cages - Full Tutorial Using Cattle Panels

[@mattbowers3541]

I've used "Concrete Screen" that is right now $23 for 42x84. Two parallel pieces + I cut pieces to connect. 18" boxes for the tomatoes. But, they have no coating and are expensive. This year, I've bought "Cattle Feed Lot Panels" that are 50" x 16ft. The 8ft are 6ga and the 16ft are 4ga!!! Plus, two 8ft are much more expensive than one 16ft. They are galvanized. $29. So, galvanized, way heavier, way cheaper. I cut them in half with a metal cutoff wheel, but could have used a sawzall. One panel does an 8ft row. I'm cutting up the old stuff for the cross pieces. Good to use a verticle stick until the plants get big enough to reach beyond each side. (We re in a super windy area). Same result as this video, but way easier. Just two parallel panels and something in between. These 4ga panels are both the cheapest, strongest, and longest life span. I plan on using these same panels, forever!

[@alanvang87]

Thank you! So useful!

[@davebayer5353]

A "Remesh Sheet" is a 42 inch by 7 feet wire grid of 6 inch squares (7 by 14). By overlapping the outside squares one can make a cylinder 42 inches tall by roughly two feet in diameter. This is a perfect size for a tomato cage. The smaller cages sold in garden stores don't match my experience growing tomatoes. To make four of these cages, one needs to imagine one will make a hundred cages. Otherwise, making even a few cages can be a frustrating experience. One needs to find the easiest way to secure the cages, while ruthlessly avoiding unnecessary steps. One also wants to take five minutes to build a jig. My jig paid for itself yesterday; I assembled ten cages in under an hour. There is no need to waste time making any cuts to the remesh sheet itself. Cuts don't make assembly easier, and the cage sits fine on the ground, it doesn't need to poke into the ground. Sixteen "8 in. UV Cable Ties" for outdoor use will secure a cage far more easily than bending wire, and outlast the cage itself. Ordinary white cable ties are not meant for outdoor use, and will disintegrate in several years. Attach ties to both sides of each of the seven overlapping squares, and two horizontals near the top and bottom of the cylinder. The purpose of a jig is to hold two of the outside squares on one end (I chose the second square in from the top and bottom) so one can form a cylinder. Rolling the remesh sheet and pressing down, the jig then holds the matching squares from the other end. One can now clamp the cage to hold it in place, and attach the sixteen cable ties. Now unclamp and lift out the cage, let it relax, and tighten further and clip the cable ties. I made my jig by cutting two 5.5" lengths of 2x4, and attaching them to a scrap board to form a 5.5" by 29.5" rectangle. This holds the second square in from each end of the cylinder, leaving room for clamping. Go under 5.5" and 29.5", not over, as I had just enough play, and more play would have been ok. I then clamped this board to my work table, leaving room for a second set of clamps to hold the work. This is a kindergarten jig, not the rabbit hole jig universe inhabited by people who build jigs for router tables they never use. One doesn't need plans, one just needs to know a jig is possible. For inspiration, there are many KZbin videos from rustic parts of the world, showing simple tools that make work easier.

[@bradleyboche8348]

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[@psychedelic-guitar-art]

Super Cool. Thanks

[@latincaz]

Great videos. Can I double yhe height? Or do you think it will be sturdy?

[@markharris2760]

These are very strong and i love the design but... they aren't tall enough for the indeterminate tomatoes that are available. Mine routinely grow to 6 feet tall plus so these would need additional short support above the cage. Any advice?

[@jakeschisler7525]

That gauge wire isn't close to the size wire on my cattle panels, another words bending a piece of my panel they won't just fall off. My panels are 48"x 12 feet long and the wires are 3/16

[@pianofish5198]

So this would work out to $46 per cage here …. Ouch! Are these cheaper where you are?

[@mariamerkle5800]

how tall is your tomato cages?

[@mariamerkle5800]

cancel my question, sorry. I watched it again and found the answer. thank you.....

[@calichica6196]

Hiii💙