As an alternative to tending alongside you in the garden this summer, we would like to share our how-to video for caging tomato plants. Join our Schoolyard Gardens K-12 Coordinator, Crystal Fritz, as she explains why we use tomato cages and how to assemble and place tomato cages into your garden. Special thanks to our friend and Community Partner Gardens Coordinator, Amanda Woolley, who lends a hand with tomato cage assembly in our how-to video.

Why is it important to place cages around the tomatoes you have planted in your garden?

Using tomato cages in your garden:

• Allows for an efficient use of garden space while supporting the upright growth of your tomato plants.
• Prevents stems and branches from breaking under the weight of a bountiful harvest.
• Makes it easier to harvest the tomatoes that you’ve worked so hard to grow!

What supplies are used by the Schoolyard Gardens Team to build tomato cages?

Zip Ties, U-Posts, and *Scissors (*Just in case you need to cut and replace a zip tie)

10 Gauge Concrete Reinforcement Wire

Remember to cage your tomato plants before they grow too tall. Once they begin fruiting, it’s more difficult to place cages around tomatoes without damaging the leaves, stems, and branches of the plant. Note that each plant requires its own cage, and that each tomato cage should be placed directly over the tomato plant and staked firmly into the soil.

Contact your SYG Coordinator if you would like tomato cages or visit your local hardware or garden store to purchase your own supplies.

Enjoy your tomato harvest!