Ditch The Traditional Tomato Cage For An Alternative You Can DIY With Backyard Scraps

Tomatoes have a reputation for being a bit high-maintenance. It's true, they do require more hands-on care and specialized supplies to yield the most abundant harvests. For instance, in order to set your tomato plants up for success, you need to install supports while the plant is still small to avoid damaging it.

There are a variety of tomato supports available at the garden center. However, if you already have a lengthy list of garden supplies to buy, $3 to $5 per tomato cage can feel like an unnecessary expense. Luckily, there's an easy DIY alternative to this conundrum. Instagram creator agirlandhergarden_ shared an ingenious DIY creation to help support her tomato plants. With the most basic of materials, this creator built sturdy tomato supports for less than $.50 per cage. This DIY is as effective as it is simple to pull off yourself. You just need organic scraps you probably already have scattered around your yard.

Gather sticks, twine, and scissors to craft this simple DIY tomato support. If you properly construct it, this tomato cage can give traditional wire cages a run for their money. The sticks hold up well through the growing season. If you have a lack of tree debris at your disposal, don't be afraid to turn to a neighbor or scour online resources for nearby people trying to get rid of tree scraps.

Your first task is to track down four long branches of about the same size to serve as the main support beams. Now find eight to 12 smaller branches of similar sizes. These will be the horizontal support pieces. You can cut any of these branches down to size if necessary.

Once you have your materials, secure the four long support branches around your plant by driving them into the soil to form a square. Now it's time to form the cage. Start by attaching four small support branches horizontally near the bottom of the cage closer to the plant. Use twine to tie them in place where the shorter branches meet the long vertical branches. The smaller sticks should come together to form a square. Repeat this step with four more small support branches above this first level. You can add a third horizontal support beam if you think it's necessary. 

If you have a vining tomato, you can use this same method to create a V-shaped trellis. Place two long, vertical support branches behind your plant in a V-formation. Attach shorter branches horizontally to create a ladder shape. Once your support is in place, it should aid in keeping your plant upright while it grows tall and heavy with fruit. Periodically check the twine to make sure it's tight. Once the growing season is done, you can toss your backyard scrap tomato support into the compost pile.