Florida Style Basket Weave Trellising Of Tomatoes

Growing fresh market tomatoes 2010.

Florida style basket weave trellising of tomatoes.

So even though i have a small crop i m trying something different the florida weave. Florida weave method of trellising tomato plants by mike dunton. Ohio state video tomato suckering. There are many methods that you can employ for keeping your tomato plants off of the ground.

While i can t pin down the full creation story of the florida weave also known as the basket weave it seems some farmers in southern florida began experimenting with trellising tomatoes in the 1920s. Basket weaving is the most common way to trellis determinate tomatoes in open field or protected culture and it is occasionally used for indeterminate tomatoes. How to support your tomato plants using the florida weave technique choose your stakes. They use a trellising technique commonly called florida weave to keep the fruit off the ground so they ll be safe from fungus bugs and critters.

But calling it a weave overstates the case a bit. There and all along the southeast coast farmers start planting tomatoes in january and february. This trellising technique is easy to install allows air to circulate between plants thus reducing disease holds plants upright and is quicker than tying each plant to one stake. You can review the basket information by clicking here.

Maine cooperative extension how to grow tomatoes basket weave. Start with sturdy stakes at least 6 to 7 feet tall. Along with the method described on this page we also use tomato baskets here on the farm. When it comes to trellising tomato plants there are many advantages that improve the overall health of these plants.

It is a labor saving method of tomato trellising when pruning is not important. The wisconsin farm center uwex publication a3904 02 caring for the tomato crop 2012. Growing for market pam dawling. The easiest florida weave trellis technique is used for determinate tomatoes while tomato cages are typically used for indeterminate tomatoes in the vegetable garden.

Take a look at these videos to see the basket weave in action. An easily available and inexpensive option is wood and i ve used 2 2 wooden stakes successfully for determinate tomatoes they ll last for a season or two but are prone to rotting and splintering and the tops might shatter with a forceful hammer strike. For determinate tomatoes the florida weave is our favorite way to trellis and support the plants. With stakes a small piece of pipe and a box of twine thi.

If you re growing tomatoes in your backyard consider the florida weave system.