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Re: spacing for toms in cages/scallions?

I have always staked in the past, because I was brought up that way and old
habits can sometimes die hard.  I did it last year with my Brandywines, and
since it was my first year growing Brandywines, I was unprepared for how
huge they would get- so my stakes weren't really big enough.

Staking does work if you don't mind going out once or twice a week and
tying up branches.  It's good to keep a close eye on your plants anyway.
However, this year I will be trellising tomatoes for the first time.  No
reason other than that I wanted to try it because it works so great for my
cukes.  

I've never been sold on cages.  I just don't like the look of them- the
plants always look so sad in cages.

Sarah


At 11:05 AM 4/23/98 -0400, Drea Thew wrote:
>Hey, many thanks to all those who replied both on and off-list -- very
>helpful!  Since my original post, I've decided that I don't think I want to
>spend the money (and time and energy to drive somewhere and get it) on wire
>for cages.  Now, after feedback from this and other lists, I'm leaning
>towards single, 6-ft stakes made out of some of the many felled pole-sized
>trees on our property (which was logged by the previous owner).  
>
>Although Mel disparages staking in The Book, it seems that with a
>sufficiently sturdy stake it would work similarly to the single-string
>trellis system he recommends (and which I will also be using), except that
>you would need to tie the vines loosely to the stake periodically.  They
>would still grow up, rather than out, and this system would still lend
>itself to pruning/suckering to a single primary vine.  Any thoughts about
>this?   I've never done any "real" gardening (just herbs, cherry toms &
>chile peppers in pots) before, so maybe I'm missing some real-world aspect
>that would make all the difference?
>
>Tom B. wrote:
>
>> Buy 6"x6" concrete reinforcing wire.  
>> Stake a 8-16" diameter cylinder of that over each plant and everyone will
>know 
>> you are an expert;-)
>
>Oh, I don't think there's any risk of that! :-)
>
>Thanks again, everyone,
>Drea
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