The Best Material for Tying Tomato Stalks

Site and Season

• Start tomatoes in midspring when the ground thaws. These plants need temperatures of at least 60 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit. Choose sites with full sunshine and good air movement; even staked or trellised tomatoes fail in shaded locations, still air or standing water.

Soil, Nutrition, Planting

• Give tomatoes the best possible soil and nutrition for best growth. Turn 5 to 6 inches of organic compost into the top 10 inches of soil in the planting site for rich, loose and moist soil. Add starter 8-32-16 or 6-24-24 fertilizer to the soil for rooting. Plant tomatoes at every 36 inches in the row if you plan to use veggie cages, and 24 inches in the row if you plan to use stakes or a trellis system.

Supports

• Support tomatoes to encourage upward growth and air and sun exposure and to restrict exposure to soil, which may contain pests and diseases. Use individual stakes or vegetable cages for tomatoes, or set up large wire trellis or tepee structures. Tomato support structures should always measure at least 4 feet tall. Use established walls and chain link fences as your trellis systems for less expense.

Ties

• Tie tomatoes at their main vines and avoid foliage, fruit and bloom stems, as these break easily. Keep the ties loose to avoid cutting into the plant matter. Use soft, flexible materials like cord, twine, felt strips, pieces of fabric or twisty ties for simply and gently tying. Start the tying process when tomato plants are young for immediate training and healthiest growth.