Florida Weave Trellis: Supporting Tomatoes With Stakes and Twine
The florida weave holds up a row of tomatoes with stakes and twine woven along both sides. Rutgers Cooperative Extension says commercial growers use this stake and weave system and it adapts easily to home gardens. University of Minnesota Extension says vining tomatoes need support such as cages, stakes or trellises.
The short answer
Drive stakes about 12 inches into the soil between every other plant. Tie twine to an end stake, run it along one side of the row and loop it around each stake. Return along the far side. Rutgers says to add a new string six to eight inches higher as plants grow.
What is a florida weave trellis?
It’s a row trellis. Rutgers says it uses wooden stakes four to eight feet long and about 1 inch square. Twine woven around the stakes trains plants upright and holds leaves and fruit off the ground. Mississippi State notes fruit with buckeye rot is often found close to the ground. Row planning help is in planning an outdoor cannabis garden layout.
How do you set up a florida weave?
Rutgers says to make the first stringing before plants fall over, about eight to ten inches above the ground on plants 12 to 15 inches tall. Each later string goes six to eight inches above the one before. Four strings are usually needed for most semi determinate varieties. Pull the string tight, but too tight makes harvest hard and can scar fruit.
| Part | Spacing | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Stakes | Every other plant | Drive about 12 inches deep |
| Plants | 18 to 24 inches apart | Wider for vigorous types |
| First string | 8 to 10 inches up | Before plants lean |
| Next strings | 6 to 8 inches higher | About four in all |
Sources: Rutgers and NC State Extension.
Which tomatoes suit a florida weave?
Rutgers says compact determinate varieties are the most manageable with this system but any variety can be staked and woven. Tall indeterminate types like heirlooms need stakes of six or eight feet. NC State says determinate tomatoes grow to a set height while indeterminate types continue to grow. Companion ideas are in companion plants when growing marijuana.
How to: step by step
- Space plants 18 to 24 inches apart in the row.
- Drive a stake between every other plant.
- Double the stakes at each row end.
- Tie twine to the end stake at 8 to 10 inches.
- Loop along one side and return on the other.
- Add a new line six to eight inches higher as plants grow.
Troubleshooting
Plants flopping over: twine too loose. Pull lines tighter.
End stakes leaning: the row pulls on them. Double the stake at each end.
Scarred fruit: twine too tight. Ease the tension on the next string.
Kind Seed Co shares these garden notes for growers of all kinds. Site ideas are in garden microclimates for cannabis. Mulch help is in mulch for cannabis.
Sources
- Growing tomatoes in home gardens, University of Minnesota Extension
- The stake and weave training system for tomatoes in the home garden (FS1102), Rutgers Cooperative Extension
- Solanum lycopersicum (tomato), NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
- Common problems with tomatoes (P2975), Mississippi State University Extension
FAQ
How far apart should stakes be?
Rutgers says a stake between every other plant is usually enough for most varieties. Vigorous varieties may need larger, longer stakes.
Which twine works well?
Rutgers suggests UV resistant twine that resists stretching and grips the stakes. Nylon baler string is a good choice while jute may stretch.
How high should the first string be?
Rutgers says about eight to ten inches above the ground on plants 12 to 15 inches tall, roughly two inches below the first blossom cluster.
Can I reuse the stakes?
Yes. Rutgers says decay resistant wooden stakes can be reused for three to four seasons. Untreated stakes may last only one season.
How far apart should tomato plants be?
NC State suggests 18 to 24 inches apart. Rutgers uses 18 to 21 inches for compact types and 21 to 24 inches for vigorous ones.
