Climbing aids play a central role in tomato cultivation. We have selected the best climbing aids for you, from simple ropes to high-quality spiral poles. There are also practical tips for building your own.

Climbing aids in rod form

Tomato plants have no attachment organs. So that the tendrils climb up and do not grow lying low on the ground, they are fixed to rods with wire, raffia, twine or clips. The advantage is the uncomplicated use. The plant sticks only have to be inserted deep enough into the ground so that they don't wobble. The climbing aids should also be able to withstand the cumulative weight over the course of growth. These plant sticks are suitable:

  • Bamboo canes with a thickness from 15 millimeters
  • Plastic tomato sticks, at least 20 millimeters thick
  • Wooden sticks made of oak or larch, about 30 millimeters thick
  • Steel tubes with structured PE coating

Among the support sticks for tomatoes, spiral sticks score points with a particularly effective stabilization of the tendrils. Thanks to the spiral shape made of galvanized steel, they can be reused for many years. Weak-growing tomato varieties do not have to be tied here as long as they are regularly pinched.

Trellis and trellis for tomatoes in planters

If you grow your tomatoes in a pot or flower box (€16.99) on the balcony, you also need a practical climbing aid for the tendrils. The garden trade has a wealth of trellises, pyramids, obelisks and towers ready. The constructions not only serve as a useful climbing aid, but also offer a decorative appearance. Good to know that most models can also be retrofitted.

If you don't want to deal with the topic of climbing aids at all, simply plant the tomatoes in a hanging basket. Choose hanging tomato varieties with small fruits and nibble on them all summer long.

Build a climbing aid for tomatoes in the bed and greenhouse yourself

Cost-conscious hobby gardeners do not invest in a ready-made climbing aid, but build them themselves in the bed or greenhouse. To do this, they use the struts of the roof construction in the greenhouse. In the field, stable wooden posts are driven into the ground at the ends of the beds. Smaller support posts, which are screwed on at a 45-degree angle, protect against wind throw. The further procedure is the same for both variants:

  • stretch a solid wire at a height of about 2 meters
  • tie ropes to it, adjusted to the distance between the tomato plants
  • tie the lower end of each rope below the first pair of leaves

Each individual rope thus acts as a climbing aid, in that the main shoot is guided up it in turns. Wide raffia ribbons, soft sisal cords, Velcro fasteners, gauze bandages or old clothes cut into strips serve as binding material. It is important to note that the materials do not cut into the tomato shoots.

tips and tricks

Reusable climbing aids are dangerous breeding grounds for viruses, fungal spores and pests. It is therefore essential to carefully disinfect them before each use. Otherwise, dreaded diseases will suddenly strike, like brown rot.

Category:

Vegetable garden