We’ve all been there. It’s late August and the tomato cage that looked so big and imposing in the spring is crushed or just toppled under the weight of a huge tomato plant.
This is just one of the many reasons I said goodbye to traditional tomato cages several years ago. (The main reason was that storing them in my shed was driving me crazy). I exchanged them with modular tomato cagesand I have not once regretted my decision. Here it is on Amazon if you want to do the dive yourself.
Or maybe you want something a little more aesthetically pleasing. Because if there’s one downside to my beloved plastic cages, it’s that they’re not particularly pretty.
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(Image: Liz Baessler / Future)
If you want something durable to hold your tomato plants, why not make it beautiful? I’m a big fan of it garden artand the best kind is that which incorporates the plants around it. There are many archesobelisks, and trellis which not only provide the heavy-duty support that large plants need, but also create a wonderful focal point. Here are some of the coolest ones out there.
The best trellises for garden art
1. The Showstopper Arch
This is a classic metal garden arch. Can you imagine how magical it would be to walk under a canopy of hanging cherry trees? Or cucumbers, like in this picture, which is slightly less romantic.
2. The Metal Obelisk
A beautiful, structural obelisk that looks good even in early spring before the plants grow. It is sure to make a statement in your garden because it is seven and a half feet tall! (You box get a shorter one, but why would you?)
3. The pyramid of Cedar
You can think of this pyramid as four wooden pergolas that lean against each other, creating one large pergola. It looks great with plants growing on it, but even on its own it’s amazing and a bit mysterious…
4. The Heavy Duty Wall Trellis
This 4 foot by 2 foot lattice structure will make any wall climbable and take a long time to get down. For when you want to grow tomatoes in a tight space or even against the house.
5. The Minimalist Spiral
Heavy-duty minimalism. Pretend this support isn’t even there as the tomato leaves around it.
6. The Modular Option
Okay, this is my baby. Like I said, it’s not as sleek as the other options, but it’s super tough and breaks down into pieces that fit in a single bag in my shed!
Buy tomato growing essentials
THE best cherry tomato you’ve ever tasted.
Organic tomato fertilizer
Keep your tomatoes growing strong.
Guide your plants in the right direction.
