How to Grow Tomatoes on a PVC Pipe

Plant tomatoes in spring after last frost. These plants require warm, frost-free starts and fail at temperatures under 55 degrees F. Wait until night-time temperatures reach 65 degrees F for best growing.

Choose a large, open site where tomatoes will get six to eight hours of full sun, consistent air movement and quick drainage. Tomatoes don't bloom or bear fruit in shade or still, stale air.

Warm and nourish the soil with an organic compost amendment for these hungry, thirsty plants. Fold 6 inches of organic compost into the top 10-inch layer of soil for better moisture, consistency and nutrition. Add 6-24-24 or 8-32-16 fertilizer for quick rooting.

Plant tomato seedlings at every 24 inches in the row, with 4 feet of space between rows. Staking encourages vertical growth rather than horizontal, and so presents an opportunity for more compact planting.

Put 5-foot PVC stakes along each tomato row. Push three stakes firmly into the ground for each tomato seedling, 6 inches from the seedling spaced evenly around it.

Mulch the tomato patch with 2 inches of pine chips or bark and water the tomatoes with 2 inches of water every week. Tomatoes require consistent moisture for fruit production and ripening.

Tie the main tomato stem and two strong side shoots to the PVC stakes, with one stem or shoot per stake. Tie the stems loosely with fabric strips at every 4 inches and upward. The tomatoes cannot climb on their own and require this support. Trim off all other side shoots to keep the plant neat and tidy.