How to Make the Ultimate Tomato Cage

[@FreshandAlive]

Brilliant! A gardener friend made round cages from concrete remesh that got extremely rusty in the salt air of my Florida home, shedding rust everywhere, and taking up a lot of space when not in use. After looking for galvanized 6-inch mesh unsuccessfully, I came across your video and I just happened to have several cattle panels, so I made these. No more rust, AND they stack neatly when not in use. I love it! Many thanks!

[@Rick-the-Swift]

Nice! Just curious, but a lot of folks seem to be concerned about being able to store tomato cages when not in use, but I was wondering, why not just leave them in place in the garden year round? Next year when you are ready to plant just pull them out and stick them back in when finished- at least that's probably how I will do it. Happy gardening to all! :)

[@americanie2]

Joe, Just picked up 5 galvanized cattle panels from Tractor Supply in Toms River, NJ. Prices have gone up to about $32/panel, but your cages look invincible. Heading out right now to cut them up and form them. Thanks for the great idea for my soon-to-be-large tomato plants.

[@jonschmidt1545]

You are the best. I have spent a fortune over the years on all types of cages. I built 4 of these for $109 and they will last a lifetime. Also they are tall enough to handle my tall tomatoes.

[@katiem9644]

Ive used cattle panels for years for tomatoes, but I dont cut them into cages. I just set them up like a fence and tie the tomatoes to them. They look as good today as they did 10 years ago when I bought them.

[@joegardenerTV]

Agreeded. I use them that way as well. It’s a great way to add some growing space and provide the perfect support against a flat surface. For extra convenience, I grow them in grow bags along the entire fence line with the panels providing the support. 👍

[@Legacy_125]

Hey Joe Excellently Done! You are the first person to make tomato cages look easy to do.

[@joegardenerTV]

blenellchaney awesome! Thanks so much. So glad you found this helpful!

[@myownspiritlevel]

These cages are made from cattle panels that have 8” x 6” rectangles. He counts over six of the 6” widths and cuts the panel down. So that’s 36” wide. Then he counts lengthwise nine of the 8” sides, making it 72” long. But, he cuts away the 6” segments on one row. Then he folds them lengthwise in half. The resulting tomato cage HALF has an overall height of 72”, height of 56” after sinking into the ground, and is 18” on each side. It takes two of these to make a complete cage. It looks like he makes two complete cages from one panel cattle, with A LOT of waste.

[@harperhellems3648]

Yeah, I don't get why he cuts away the part that effects the height. When he's done they come up to his chin.

[@4toes1nose]

I like it, i’m done with the circular pieces of crap from the big box stores that I struggled with for years. I built different versions of what you have here, but yours is far better than what I attempted to make. Although I don’t use this type of cage anymore I still like what you’re doing here.

[@joegardenerTV]

Thank you! It is definitely a great way to tame those tomatoes, and peppers, eggplant, etc.

[@Robbie-Vorhaus]

For years I've been trying to come up w/ a good solution. I've started listening to your podcast and when I was walking my dogs past my community garden, in my head I heard, "Google DIY tomato cages." Your video was the first one to pop up and you are BRILLIANT. Thank you, thank you, thank you. I feel lighter and brighter just knowing I got this solution from you. -- Robbie in Austin, Texas

[@joerarus9339]

great idea, best design ever, I always saw the wire rolled into a circle, that's what I have and takes up a lot of storage space, I like your design better.

[@joegardenerTV]

Joe Rarus thanks Joe. It’s one of the main reasons I wanted a better way!

[@mattvandom8202]

Thankyou. Best video & solution I found yet. I need something heavy duty for my Cherokee tomatoes.

[@joegardenerTV]

Glad it helped!

[@billwalton4120]

Here in May 2020 and made 6 of these. Tractor Supply, $23/panel. 1 panel/cage. There is a little waste, but this is the way to go. All of the $$$ I've wasted on them regular prefab circular cages makes these a GREAT investment. They'll last forever. Thank you for this video!

[@billwalton4120]

I ended up making a smaller version of these for my pepper plants as well. Love 'em!

[@skyblueroan]

Hi Bill, can you tell me which panel from TSC you purchased? Thanks

[@daltonfamily701]

How long were the panels

[@planttasticcookinggardenin1561]

Oh, so my artsy, wigwam creation is out?? LOL This looks much sturdier for sure.

[@christychu2853]

Best tutorial ever

[@Earthy-Artist]

Very clever love these! Your custom cages would also be great for growing peas, beans, and other things. I can even imagine standing one inside of a very large pot to grow up vertically in.

[@goodlifestewardship5465]

I’ve been looking for substantial tomato cages for weeks and all that these big box stores have is cheep and flimsy ones. I should’ve known that you’d have a solution. Thank you, Joe! I’ll be making a few of these tomorrow! 🙂

[@susanahn6346]

I bought 4 panels to make 4 cages and will use the off cuts as cucumber trellis. I did find that the 4 gauge panels I bought did not bend easily like yours did. My son and I stood on the board and pulled the wire up. It nearly knocked us over! We had over 300 pounds on the board and it still moved as we pulled!

[@ohio_gardener]

I had the same problem, Susan! I used the front end loader bucket on my tractor to hold down the board, and then was able to pull up the section outside the bucket. Would have never got them built without that tractor.

[@surfearth1]

Best one I’ve seen yet!

[@suziedkingery]

Genius! I am hoping the plants I have this year toppling and falling over will make it. This will be happening next year. I'm so thrilled to see this and that I can actually do it myself!! Thank you thank you!!!

[@mommyj6586]

What size/measurements are the cattle panels you purchased for the cages? Thanks

[@mariaconcepcionmroque8111]

🌎❤️🕊😊 😊 Hello Joe! Thank You So Much For Your Sharing ! This is my first time watching at KZbin . I am so happy you are At You Tubers! Many years I watch you on TV. I hope you will makes More video. God Bless You & Your Family. Stay Safe!

[@paulaadkinson8628]

I really like this design. I will try this next season. But I will buy the cages this winter and build them and get them ready for spring. Nice Idea thank you.

[@danevanpetten4980]

Trying to meet that March Deadline!

[@danielt6689]

Great video! *Original,* not recycled, idea. Detailed, yet concise to the point information.

[@skyblueroan]

I have watched this video multiple times and after looking at all the different panels available to purchase it makes little sense to me.

[@danielt6689]

@@skyblueroan - What part confuses you?

[@skyblueroan]

@@danielt6689 thanks for replying. There are so many different sizes of panels and lengths and number of lines, he doesn’t say which he used. A 50”x16’ with 6x6 inch squares is the only I can figure he used (although in the video it looks like it has 6x8” rectangles) which cost $69.99 @ at our Tractor Supply, which is where he posted in a reply he got his. If you use one with 6x8 rectangles you can’t count over by 9, and get two. There’s only 16 rectangles across.

[@danielt6689]

@@skyblueroan Unless my math is wrong, a 16' panel with 6x8" rectangles should have 24 rectangles across. If it only has 16, those rectangles would be 1ft in width.

[@skyblueroan]

@@danielt6689 You’re correct, my math was wrong. Thank you so much for helping me out. I wish they would edit the video with dimensions instead of counting the holes since there’s an endless variety of panels with different lengths, heights and number/sizes of openings. 😊

[@melvinaroundy4647]

Joe i am going to do this. I have more of those tomato cages they get bent broke the wind blows them over they're not sturdy enough like you said.. and I've had them get so heavy that tomato plant came right out of the ground.. thanks for sharing your good ideas💚

[@surfearth1]

Take your old tomato cages and cut them to length and bend into landscape stakes/staples to put through landscape cloth. :-)

[@HomelessOnline]

Did you use Joe's idea? How'd it work out for you? Do you have any advice for somebody trying it for the first time?

[@postcardsfromheaven]

why a great idea ! very strong cages and great height

[@rickykimble1246]

Thanks for the video Joe! Getting ready to make 2 now for when the plants go in the ground. Btw love the podcast, I'm an avid listener appreciate all you do!

[@sunflowerkidworld]

Wow BEAUTIFUL cinematography and awesome tips! Thank you!

[@CherylChewning]

wow

[@tro4404]

A good tip. I use concrete wire mesh and roll it into round cages. When using bolt cutters be aware that one side will generally cut the wire off a little closer, which results in shorter sharp wire tags.

[@capnjan9835]

That's the way that I made mine too - just make 'hooks' on one side to join them together. They do not stack, however.

[@plant-lover9547]

Have you ever used shade cloth with these cages around tomatoes and peppers?

[@joegardenerTV]

I have not but I know people who have, such as in Texas who were trying to find some heat relief. We found that wrapping or covering the plants by draping the shade cloth over or around the cage actually trapped more heat, vs suspending the cloth over the top with some room for airflow. That helped on average by 5-7 degrees. 👍

[@714Roostergirl]

Awesome idea !!!!!!! Thanks for sharing 👍.

[@juliebarnett9812]

Excellent video.

[@CanadianBrewingChannel]

Great idea! Those so called tomato cages at the stores are fine for peppers but not tomato's

[@teresamexico309]

I use 'concrete reinforcement wire' for my tomato/cucumber cages and I get it at a place that recycles metal so it is less than half its price than store bought wire.

[@tlilaboty]

Very helpful. Thank you!

[@myk1200s]

Great idea Joe 😁👍

[@jessb6555]

Great idea, Joe!

[@joegardenerTV]

Thanks Jess!

[@markvalente480]

I do something similar for my fig trees, only I do not cut the panels. I bend 8 foot sections into 4 foot Ls. 2 panels are a 4 foot square obstacle to keep deer off my trees.

[@robjonas9047]

How big are the panels AND how many cages do you get from a panel?

[@joegardenerTV]

The panels are 16 ft. long and 4 ft. tall. I get 2 cages from each panel plus extra parts I always safe and find a use for in the garden. Regarding the 2 cages, one is the full sized tomato cage, and one is a little shorter, but perfect for peppers, eggplant, squash, etc.

[@jasminum61]

where can we buy this livestock single panel?

[@joegardenerTV]

Tractor Supply or a farm supply store should carry them as well.

[@skyblueroan]

Which panel ? There’s so many different sizes, lines, to choose from?

[@Valmorphanator]

What do you do with the scrap part of the panel

[@McFlysGarage]

Me, I’d save it and find a use

[@blueyzsf]

I am your 7,000th subscriber! :D

[@joegardenerTV]

Edward Arthur Kenneth. Sweet! Thanks for letting me know. Way to go Edward! 👍

[@KathyaKalinine]

I love this idea! Is this something that the hardware store could cut for me? Nice and clean. Thank you for sharing!

[@joegardenerTV]

Kathya Kalinine I would certainly ask them. Wherever you buy these panels should also sell the tool that could cut them. Another option is that you might have to buy the cutter. But them cut them down before you leave. That would make for easier transport.

[@KathyaKalinine]

joegardenerTV Thank you. 😊

[@CuriousinNY]

The two places I went to that supply these panels do not cut for you but do sell the cutters. They both cited liability issues as being the reason they don’t cut for customers.

[@joegardenerTV]

Linda Johnson well nothing ventured nothing gained. At least you tried. 👍

[@cynthiarobinson3048]

I absolutely LOVE THESE!

[@michaelo6124]

Brilliant. Thank you!

[@AlexHallatt]

If you use string to tie it will be easy to take apart and biodegrade (unlike cable ties - waste of plastic).

[@christypoos9728]

Love this idea.

[@kike510mig]

Genius!

[@joegardenerTV]

Thanks. Best thing I ever did! 👍👍

[@doccecil2636]

FYI… livestock panel cost around $42 these days… crazy how the same product has doubled in cost in 5 years.

[@kqdwills]

Where I live they are selling the 16'x50" for $39. I grow about 40-50 tomato plants of different kinds, most of them in big pots. So that would cost a lot just for the cages.

[@caroltomkovich9491]

For some reason they are cheaper at Tractor Supply (here in Texas at least). In February 2024 the normal price is $27.99 and this past week they were on sale for $22.99 so we picked up 6! At Lowe's they are about $42.

[@healthygirl3021]

Can this be done with welded fencing wire? 14 gauge 5ft tall.

[@amandavhall]

Healthy Girl, I'm researching this as well....further down in the comments, Joe says 14 gauge is too flimsy in his opinion.

[@awereta2594]

Hi Joe, I like your cages, but I'm not convinced you need 2 sections for each plant. I think that the one section would suffice if ties are used to attach the stems to either side of one section. What are your thoughts?

[@ohio_gardener]

I have these for my tomatoes, and I prefer to have both sections to form a complete cage. No tying needed, just pinch out suckers every once in a while and let them climb up inside the cage. I used an 8' section of the cattle panel, though, instead of cutting it down to 6' as Joe did - this gives me an almost 7' high tomato cage.

[@McFlysGarage]

@@ohio_gardener how many of these cages did you get per 8’ cattle panel?

[@ohio_gardener]

@@McFlysGarage Each cattle panel is 16' long by 50" high, and it makes one tomato cage. I cut the panel in half lengthwise, and then cut off the bottom section to make two 8' by 3' panels. Each of those panels are bent 90 degrees lengthwise to make one half the cage 18" on each side and 8' tall. Those two sections then make one tomato cage 18" square.

[@beckyweislow3882]

What gauge is that hog wire you used?

[@ohio_gardener]

You need 16' x 50" cattle panels, which are 4 gauge wire.

[@martinbox6110]

Fantastic! Thank-you.

[@leftyryan5976]

Will these fit over 20 inch round containers?

[@basp1957]

I'd like to know where you found those panels for 20 buck? 60 bucks everywhere around me in PA :(

[@ellismidkiff6117]

Brian Aspinall tractor supply. 22$ all day long. Everyday. 16’ long.

[@lisaosummey]

@@ellismidkiff6117 It is not clear to me how many cages he is making from each panel. I would assume two from each 16' panel. Is that correct? Thanks for clarifying.

[@ellismidkiff6117]

Lisa Summey I went with cattle fence on mine. But you have to buy post. This way is slightly more money but quicker to get up.

[@ellismidkiff6117]

Lisa Summey I can’t review the video at work but I think 4.

[@ohio_gardener]

@@lisaosummey No, one cage per cattle panel.

[@jennielunn2226]

Brilliant

[@luckyladytt06]

How many total cages does 1 panel produce?

[@junyang9355]

Looks like one cage for 1 panel. Man, that is expensive. 20 dollars for one cage?

[@la8974]

J Yang That’s what I was thinking!!!!! Did he say how long and high the panel was to start????

[@Klink52]

@@la8974 Cattle Panels run just under $30 here in So Cal.

[@la8974]

Gary Klingelsmith About the same here in Ohio!!! $120 for 4 plants??? I'll have to try something else!!!

[@la8974]

silverbud Ha ha!!!! Yeah, but then I'd have to pay for a guard to keep the vegan from eating my crops!!!! Lol

[@nicolebarker21]

Hi. Could you tell me the length and width I should be looking for? At my hardware stores these panels are sold in rolls. Also, I saw one of your replies to someone else and you said you're using 4 gauge. Did you mean 14 gauge??

[@joegardenerTV]

Nicole Robinson The panels are 16 ft long and about 5 ft wide. They do not come in rolls. This wire is to thick to be rolled up. This is 4 gauge wire- not 14. It's called livestock panel. I get it at Tractor Supply.

[@angelinamunoz6914]

Awesome I was thinking tractor supply but couldn't remember if these cattle panels bent!! Thank you

[@aquiconfeya]

I wish my husband were a handyman....but he is not!! I love those cages.

[@calgal7828]

Feya Z. I know the feeling....if anything gets done around our place I did it! You can do these if you have to. 😪

[@Patriotsoul]

How many cages will one 16’ panel make?

[@ohio_gardener]

One

[@charliezicolillo]

Joe were can I get livestock panels.I live in Brooklyn,NY.

[@joegardenerTV]

Hi Charlie. All I can tell you is I got mine at Tractor Supply. They're a national chain so hopeuflly you can find one close enough to you. But if that doesn't work, check other such stores. Farm supply stores seem to be the most appropriate place for livestock panels. Good luck.

[@seedaholicgardens9085]

you can have them delivered to your local home Depot, i did and i am in Chicago.

[@la8974]

joegardenerTV What were the original dimensions of your panels, please?????

[@crwood439]

How many ages can you make with one panel?

[@ohio_gardener]

One cage per cattle panel. Cut the panel in half lengthwise, cut it down to 36" wide, fold the 2 remaining sections, and you have one tomato cage.

[@swarnapuri11]

Hi Joe, Looks great and neat. Easy to store. Can you confirm the size? If it is 6/6 inch squares, hieght of 9 squares? If it is 9 squares it will be just 4 1/2 feet, but in the video it appears much taller.

[@joegardenerTV]

The hight above ground for the cage is 56" and 7 squares above. The length of 2 squares serves as the spikes that secure the cage in the soil for stability.

[@IamLA5150]

will these work for beefsteak tomatoes in 5 gallon buckets also ?

[@joegardenerTV]

Freddy Fudpucker absolutely!

[@IamLA5150]

@@joegardenerTV tyvm sir

[@davej7458]

I have used similar ones in large pots and they work. But if you have winds they will blow over if you don't secure them somehow.

[@phej]

I assume the "Under $20" bit actually works if you have these livestock panels already. One panel runs about $35 in 2023

[@lorijewels9391]

the prices of those cattle panel has sky rocketed in the last few years.. back when they used to cost just 20$ for the 16foot panel - think not even 10 yrs ago they were $16 per panel - of course - i didn't buy them til they went up..

[@joegardenerTV]

Yep. They were $19, pre-covid. Not they are $23 I think last time I checked.

[@philipbara7806]

Since much of the available livestock panels have 4" squares, it would be more clear to just tell viewers what the final size panel you are cutting. Also are your panels 4 gauge galvanize wire? My home store carries 14 gauge and I'm wondering if that would be too flimsy.

[@joegardenerTV]

Philip Bara good point Philip. 14 gauge sounds too flimsy to me. The 4 gauge is great because of the sturdiness. The livestock panels I’m using in the video cost under $20 but the panels at 4” are much more expensive. But I do think I should add a reference to the overall size. Thanks.

[@8schopra]

👍👍👍🙏 Thanks for sharing 👍

[@drturl]

Many people subscribe to DIY IDS because of cost. If you have 6 tomato plants this would be a $120 investment which. Is steep for the typical DIY R.

[@bowhuntrrl]

Those panels cot $35 each in my neck of the woods! That's a pricey tomato cage at $35 each..

[@ohio_gardener]

That is amazing! I bought cattle panels last year for an arbor, and they were $18.95 each at tractor supply. I bought 8 more this year for tomato cages, and they were $22.95 each.

[@madcosta0716]

however they last forever not like the regular cheap cages you buy at the big box stores.

[@kqdwills]

It's also $35 plus tax in CA.

[@roberttillotson6861]

What would have worked is to show the final growth result with plants.

[@gardentogether9298]

How many cages can you make from 1 panel?

[@cd7856]

One 16 foot panel makes one cage. I'm headed to Tractor Supply to build me one! $20 each, but better than the junk cages from Lowes and finally tall enough.

[@jfid341]

Hey Joe, which gauge wire are you using in your video? Thanks for this video! -Jake

[@joegardenerTV]

jfid341 hey jake. I’m pretty sure it’s 4 gauge wire. Strong get bendable and cuttable with the bolt cutter tool.

[@bigal25938]

Too expensive. I am planting over 100 tomato plants.

[@misskaysblingnthings7200]

I tried to start a garden, between the deers and raccoons i didn't stand a chance

[@tuffinboots]

you need a 8 ft fence

[@davej7458]

A cheaper fence solution. Two electric fences three feet apart. With an electric fence charger. One wire low enough that they cannot crawl under in the another wire high enough that they would be forced to jump on each fence. Put them up before the deer start eating your garden. Before they develop a habit. Tie a little cloth strips on the wire not touching anything else so that the deer will see the wires. Some of the deer will touch the wire once but they will learn very quickly. If the power is off for any length of time the deer will figure it out. I don't know how. If interested look up electric deer fences on KZbin.

[@andreapratt6584]

Uhmmm, this is a wonderful, sturdy idea, but I have 23 plants!

[@McFlysGarage]

Time to get cracking! If you were my neighbor I’d help out in exchanger for some produce later on :)

[@backwoodsbaby9729]

Holy batman of INEFFICIENCY!!!! How can you do something so close to correct and be so insanely wrong? Get concrete mesh that is 5 ft tall. Roll it into a 1.5 to 2 foot diameter circle, cut it so each piece has one straight edge and one with spikes. Use those spikes to hold the circle in place. On the bottom cut the horizontal wire so you have spikes to stick in the ground. You only need one row deep (aka 5 inches or so). Stack against a fence for winter storage. You use all your materials this way and have so much less waste!!! Also the plants wont tear them down because its all 1 piece.

[@davej7458]

If the cost is not a problem, the advantages are much more rust resistant store very well and do the job. Concrete reinforcing mesh much cheaper even free if you get cut offs from a concrete contractor. Disadvantages rust & storage space. But they do the job. I have used free concrete reinforcing mesh for years and years. I hate storing them.

[@capnjan9835]

Wow $66.00 for a cage is pretty excessive. (Go look at livestock panels at tractor supply - yep. $66.00 - oops now its $77.00). No matter how long they last they aren't going to get much of a payback.

[@brandonkick]

$26 in my neck of the woods. You can easily get two cages out of this. Cutting it in half would leave two 8' sections. Folding each 8' section into a 2'x2' square and instead of chopping the bottom off, just cut the cross members off between the parts where the openings are smaller on the bottom. Two heavy duty cages for $26 is, IMO, well worth it. Mainly because those silly chinsey things you buy for $3-$5 each usually never last more than one season. Making your own out of these... they'll never go bad.