Grow Perfect Tomatoes with the Best Tomato Cage
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Burpee Pro Series Tomato Cages -
Gurney's Tomato Cages -
Gardener's Blue Ribbon Ultomato Tomato Cages -
ZeeDix 3 Packs 18" Plant Support Tomato Cages -
Outopest Supports Deformable Tomato Cages -
Buyer's Guide
A tomato cage is essentially an enclosed trellis that supports the leaves and fruit growth of a tomato plant. Without it, the tomato plant will fall over, causing the fruits to come into contact with the ground, which makes it that much easier for insects and animals to ravage them, while bending of the stems under the weight of the fruit may cause them to break.
Original tomato cages were merely long stakes pounded into the ground, with strings or ribbons tied to the tomato vines, that were then attached to the stake for support. The best modern tomato cages are made with metal for durability and have many horizontal supports where the tomato plant can literally hang on. Design, versatility and ease of use were the most important aspects when making this list, but durability, price and bang for the buck were also considered.
For more information on what to look at in selecting the best tomato cage in 2022, We have listed below the available tomato cages for you to help you decide what product is best to buy.
Here are the best tomato cages of 2022
Burpee Pro Series Tomato Cages - Best Tomato Cage Overall
The Burpee Pro Series Cage tops this list not because it is a superior tomato cage, but because it is versatile, stable and durable all incorporated into a great design. Yes, it is made out of galvanized metal for durability, and certainly the 4-sided design allows great stability and lets the tomatoes to grow healthy and strong. They are 40 inches tall, but if you have a plant that grows taller and needs extra support, 36-inch extenders can be added onto the top to keep your plants growing strong and sturdy no matter how tall they get. That forethought and design quality makes these #1.
Gurney's Tomato Cages - Runner Up
This is also a square shaped heavy-gauge, galvanized non-rusting wire cage that ensures solid support for your plants. Each cage has eight legs that anchor it firmly in the ground. The cages are large enough to support mature plants and provide good airflow in a good-sized growing area. They are even stackable like the top rated Burpee for those larger tomato plants, but they use an additional cage added to the top as an extender. That means you'll pay more if you have taller growing tomatoes. This is a terrific design that will hold your tomato plants as well as the #1 rated cage, and if you want to spend more money for essentially the same design, then this Gurney's Tomato Cage is for you.
Gardener's Blue Ribbon Ultomato Tomato Cages - Honorable Mention
This is the only build-it-yourself tomato cage on this list, and that type of design and versatility make this the #3 pick. The Gardener’s Blue Ribbon® Ultomato Tomato Plant Cage comes in a basic package with three poly-plastic stakes and clip-on supports. You can attach the supports anywhere along the height of the stakes for a custom made fit that will support virtually any tomato plant. Although the stakes are made of a poly-plastic material and will not rust or rot, as long as they are not abused, they will last as long as a metal stake. If you have many different types of tomato plants that will grow to different widths or heights, you can custom make this cage to support virtually any plant that you have.
ZeeDix 3 Packs 18" Plant Support Tomato Cages - Consider
If you want the most bang for the buck in a tomato cage, look no further than the Origin Point Brands 54 Inch Tomato Cone- 5 Pack. These are made of galvanized metal, they are very inexpensive and will support your tomatoes. Although a basic design, types like these have been used for almost as long as tomato cages have been around. They are strong, durable and press easily into your garden dirt. They may need an extra stake for support as your tomatoes grow, but for this price, they just can't be beat.
Outopest Supports Deformable Tomato Cages - Best Tomato Cages
Certainly one of the best tomato cages available, if you want the highest quality unit made and are willing to pay the price, than the Griffith Creek Designs Ultimate Plant Grow Cage is for you. At 50 inches tall it will support most tomatoes without extensions. It is made of UV Resistant Polyethylene for durability and it folds up, when not in use, for storage. It is pricey, however, and costs three times as much as the next most expensive tomato cage. If you have a small garden and want the best, or if cost is no object, than this tomato cage may vault to the top of your list.
Buyer's Guide
Although tomato plants grow upwards, they are not strong enough to hold the weight of the tomato fruits they carry. This causes them to fall over and bring the fruits in contact with the ground, rendering the fruits prone to insect attacks, fungal infections and premature spoiling; and the bent branches or stem prone to breakage, all in all, a frustrating experience for any tomato farmer. It is for this reason that tomato cages are essential implements for any tomato grower.
What Are Tomato Cages?
Tomato cages are gardening implements that help tomato plants grow upwards and stay upright. It is essentially an enclosed trellis that supports growing tomato plants and keeps the fruits off the ground. They serve to increase the yield of the plant and to simplify the work the gardener has to do.
Why Are The Advantages Of Using Tomato Cages?
Tomato cages and other implements used to keep tomato plants upright such as stakes and trellises help to reduce the risk of tomato spoilage as a result of infection or insect and animal attacks. They also save space, increase yield, make harvesting tomatoes easier and reduce the chances of you accidentally stepping on your tomatoes as you work on your garden.
Tomato cages offer certain advantages when compared to stakes and trellises, some of these are:
- With tomato cages, you don't need to pinch, prune or train the tomato plant, reducing the amount of work you have to do.
- Tomato cages give the plants enough room to grow in all directions, leading to an improvement in tomato yield.
- With tomato cages, you can encourage pollination by shaking the cages.
- With tomato cages, there is plenty of leave cover and shade for the fruits, preventing scalding by the sun. The leaf cover also ensures that the soil retains enough moisture preventing cracking and blossom end rot.
- Tomato cages give better structural support to the heavier branches of the larger tomato species.
- With cages, air circulation is improved so the tomatoes dry quicker after rain reduces the likelihood of fruit rotting.
What Factors Should I Consider Before Buying Tomato Cages?
Choosing the tomato cages that cater to your particular needs can be a difficult prospect, especially with the large variety available on the market today. When looking to buy tomato cages, certain factors like the material the tomato cage is made from, its size, shape, strength and ease of assembly and use should be considered. In this buying guide, in addition to the list of the best tomato cages we have already given you, we explore the important factors to consider when choosing a tomato cage to help you arrive at a decision.
Material
The best tomato cages these days are made with metal which can be coated metal, uncoated metal or galvanized steel. These are sturdy materials that give durable and stable tomato cages.
Uncoated metal is prone to rust, especially in wet conditions. This could affect the stability and durability of the cage, and could also result in injury to the gardener especially during harvesting. Also, in hot summer months, uncoated metal could heat up to uncomfortable levels.
Metal for tomato cage construction can be coated with plastic or powder, the coating makes the cage less susceptible to the elements, and resistant to rot, rendering it the more durable option.
Size
Tomato cages come in different sizes, they can measure as little as 15 inches in height or as much as 72 inches. Your choice should be dependent on the tomato species you plan to grow inside them. For the smaller varieties like Tiny Tim and New Big Dwarf, the smaller cages should be sufficient. But for the larger indeterminate varieties such as Beefsteak, Fourth of July and Big Boy, you should go with the larger cages.
Adjustable tomato cage models also exist, these offer more versatility as they can be used to grow a wide range of tomato species. You should also consider the size of your gardening space when choosing a tomato cage.
Shape
Tomato cages typically come in either of 3 shapes, curved-link stakes, triangular, and ring style. The different shapes are not just aesthetic choices, they are essential to the cage's functioning.
- Curved-link stakes are more stable than ring-style cages. They provide greater support for heavier tomatoes and sturdier plants. Also, they fold up very easily and are easy to store.
- Triangular cages give more support to tomato plants with their bars that are closer together, they are ideal for growing smaller tomato species.
- Ring-style cages give enough room for tomato plants to grow, making higher plant yield possible.
Ease of Assembly
Some tomato cage models are reassembled while others require you to do some building. The larger tomato cages generally require some assembly, while the smaller models usually come reassembled or require fewer steps to assemble. To decide what cages to buy, it may be helpful to look through the assembly instructions by the manufacturer to see which models are detailed enough and easiest to assemble. You should also check to see how many pieces the cage comes in, to clue you in to how much assembly you'd have to do.
How Much Do Tomato Cages Cost?
Tomato cages can cost anything from $6 to about $20 per piece. The cost depends on the build material, size and other factors.
FAQs
Q: Are tomato cages worth it?
A: Yes, they are. Without the support they offer, your tomatoes are prone to insect attacks, animal attacks and fungal infections all of which can lead to premature spoiling. Unsupported plants also take up space and their fruits are at risk of accidental crush and scalding by the sun. The branches and stem of the tomato plant may also break.
Q: Can I still use my rusted tomato cage?
A: Yes, you can. The tomato cage may not be as sturdy as it once was, however, and may collapse. You are also at risk of injuring yourself while harvesting.
Q: Do I need to clean my tomato cage?
A: You should clean your tomato cage and sterilize it. You can clean it with a scrub brush and soapy water to remove any dirt, you can then sterilize it with a mixture of bleach and water to kill disease-causing microbes.
