How to Build a Tomato Tower

Tomatoes are one of the most popular vegetable garden plants to grow. The numerous interesting and tasty varieties available include cherry, Roma and beefsteak. Tomatoes grow on vining foliage that can reach 4 to 5 feet in height and 3 feet around. To harvest blemish-free, attractive tomatoes, you need to support the growing plant. Tomato cages sold in retail garden centers are not big enough or sturdy enough to support most tomato plants, but you can put your own sturdy tomato tower together easily with a few handy tools and easy-to-find materials.

1 section of 8-foot galvanized electrical conduit pipe
Sledge hammer
6-by-4-foot-long section of 6-by-6-inch woven wire fencing
Wire cutters
Plastic zip ties
Pliers

Instructions

- 1
  Pound the pipe about 12 to 24 inches into the ground with the sledge hammer where you will plant the tomato seedling. Make sure the pipe is straight and sturdy.
- 2
  Bend the ends of the 6-foot-side of the wire fencing with pliers, making hooks that fit around the pipe.
- 3
  Stand the section of wire fencing next to the pipe with the hooks around the pipe. Tighten the hook ends of the fencing and twist them secure so that one edge of the fencing is attached to the pipe.
- 4
  Form the wire fencing into a cylindrical shape with both sides meeting the pipe.
- 5
  Use the zip ties to fasten the unattached side of the wire fencing to the pipe. Start at the top and secure the wire fencing to the pipe every couple of inches.
- 6
  Plant the tomato seedling in the center of the wire fencing tower and water and mulch it well.
- 7
  When the tomato seedling begins to grow up and branch out, gently fasten the largest branches to the wire fencing with soft material such as old nylon hosiery cut into strips.

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