What vegetables need tomato cages?

Author: Gabrielle Gutkowski  |  Last update: Saturday, May 10, 2025

There are other vegetables in the garden that can benefit from flimsier support and grow on cages. Any type of shorter plant that likes to vine or that has tendrils will love to climb up those tomato cages. You can use tomato cages for cucumbers, pole beans, peas, or sweet potato vines.

Which tomatoes need a cage?

If you are growing indeterminate tomatoes, you can use a cage. The tomato will grow the height of the cage and then start to drape over the sides of the cage to the ground.

Which vegetables need a cage?

Many varieties of peas and beans need something to climb. Vine crops such as squash, melons and cucumbers can produce straighter, cleaner fruit if grown on a trellis. Many tomato varieties are “indeterminate,” or vining, which means they will continue to grow all season long.

Do I really need a tomato cage?

Tomato plants inevitably need support. Their tall and relatively flexible stems cannot stand upright on their own, especially once they're heavy and laden with fruit! Without staking and the support from a tomato cage or trellis, tomato plants will succumb to their own lankiness and weight.

Do cucumbers need a cage?

Biggest risk is wind breaking the plant. You can let your cucumbers grow on the ground but they may get eaten by rodents and slugs and fruit can rot from laying on the ground. Cucumbers do better on a simple trellis. A cage may not be big enough. Trellis can be a simple as two 5' stakes with string woven between them.

The 5 Best Tomato Cages: Everything you Need to Know!

Do peppers need tomato cages?

Thrifty cayennes are happy in small, lightweight cages, while big, main season peppers need tomato cages made with heavy-gauge wire. Some gardeners take a different approach by planting three or four peppers in a circle around the outside of a tomato cage.

Does zucchini need a trellis?

It is important to know that zucchini plants do grow creeping with tendrils. However, most varieties do not climb themselves and therefore need to be tied up to a trellis for the whole thing to work well.

What is better than tomato cages?

Wood or Plastic Garden Stake – One per plant. Metal T-post – 1 every 4-5 feet but at least 2 (think 2 every 3-4 plants) Hammer – For hammering in the wood Stakes. Post driver – This is the best way to get those stakes into the ground.

How to make ghosts out of tomato cages?

Ghosts
  1. Step 1: Prep the Cage. Turn the tomato cage upside down. ...
  2. Step 2: Add the Head. Pull the prongs of the cage together and place the Styrofoam head over the prongs.
  3. Step 3: Add Lights and Cover. Starting at the bottom, wrap string lights around the tomato cage. ...
  4. Step 4: Place and Secure Them.

Do bell peppers need a trellis?

It's often a good idea to stake pepper plants. Although many peppers are strong plants that do a good job at holding themselves upright, sometimes they need a little help — especially toward the end of the season.

Will zucchini climb a tomato cage?

Answer: Tomato cages can offer some advantages with zucchini and other vine plants. It gets the plant off the ground which promotes good air circulation.

Does broccoli need a tomato cage?

use tomato cages to brace you broccoli plants and keep them from falling over.

What vegetables need little space?

Many vegetables can thrive in a small container including peppers, chard, lettuce, herbs, tomatoes, beans, cucumbers, squash, root vegetables etc. It's important to take into consideration the mature size of the plant and use the largest container you can fit for it.

What happens if you don't cage tomatoes?

No matter where you garden, if you don't stake or cage your tomato plants, you'll end up with tomatoes on the ground, where they may rot or be eaten by small animals. Plus, an unsupported tomato plant that's allowed to sprawl can take up lots of space in a garden.

What tomatoes don t need support?

Determinate or bush tomatoes, grow in a loose or bushy shape and don't need training, although they may need some support if they get leggy.

When should I put cages on tomato plants?

Place cages over tomato plants early in their growth. Each cage can support one tomato plant. Anchor cages firmly to the ground with wooden stakes to prevent them from toppling over as the plants grow. Suckering or pruning the plants is not necessary when you use cages.

What size styrofoam balls for tomato cage ghosts?

Styrofoam Ball : used size #6. Tomato Cage : used a 42” and 20” Plastic white tablecloth.

How do you make a plant stand out of a tomato cage?

Instructions
  1. Carson Downing. Trim the Tomato Cage. ...
  2. Paint the Tomato Cage. After clipping the tomato cage, use spray paint to give the remaining wire frame uniform color. ...
  3. Wrap Horizontal Wires in Rope. ...
  4. Hot-Glue the Rope. ...
  5. Place a Pot In.

What is a ghost tomato?

Ghost Cherry tomato plants produce fruits that are slightly larger than the average cherry tomato. Their 2- to 3-ounce (60 to 85 g.) fruits are a creamy white to light yellow color, and have a light fuzzy texture to their skin. As the fruit ripens, it develops a light pink hue.

Are tomato cages good for cucumbers?

Yes. Using a tomato cage to train cucumbers to grow vertically gives the plants plenty of room to breathe, helps form perfectly straight fruits, and helps prevent pests and soil diseases. When garden space is at a premium, vertical cultivation is ideal.

Do beefsteak tomatoes need cages?

Support plants with stakes or cages to ensure proper fruiting. Be sure to monitor water, as containers dry out more quickly than plants in the ground. Plant tomatoes in the ground 24 to 36 in. (60 to 90 cm) apart in rows.

What is the best companion plant for zucchini?

What Goes Well With Zucchini?
  • root and tuber vegetables such as beet, carrots and celery.
  • onions, leeks and spring onions.
  • lettuce.
  • corn.
  • flowers such as camomile, sunflowers, borage and marigolds.
  • beans.
  • tomatoes, eggplants and peppers.
  • herbs such as basil, parsley and oregano.

Do cucumbers need a trellis?

Do cucumbers always need a trellis? Firstly, there are two types of cucumber plants - vining cucumbers and bush cucumbers. While neither requires truly requires a trellis to be fruitful, the use of trellising makes harvesting more manageable for vining cucumbers and keeps the plant growing in a specific direction.

Does patty pan squash need a trellis?

Pattypan squash is a bush variety, not vining. It is fairly sturdy and won't need support. However, you can plant it alongside a trellis or tomato case to grow it vertically and save garden space.

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