Tomatoes and other popular vegetables such as cucumbers need support to grow as the thin shoots cannot support the heavy fruit. Tomato sticks, often also known as tomato sticks or plant sticks, are available in many different versions. We present the most important forms so that you can make the best choice for you.

Tomatoes need a climbing aid

Our recommendations

our recommendation
ARTECSIS pack of 10 spiral rods 170cm plant rods trellis tomato rods made of galvanized metal, climbing aid for tomato plants shrubs
To the product
packaging 10 pieces
material metal, galvanized
length 170 centimeters
diameter 5 millimeters
price/piece approx. EUR {PRICE/10}

Due to their special shape, spiral rods are perfect for serving as a climbing aid for tomato plants. You can simply stick the sticks next to the plant - either in the bed or in the tub - and wind the tomato around the trellis. This gives the plant enough support, especially if you stabilize the spiral rod by tying it up. For this purpose, the tomato stick has a hole at the upper end through which you can pull a thin thread and use it, for example, B. on a ceiling beam. These spiral rods are made of galvanized metal, so they can be used over and over again for many years.

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rg-vertrieb 10x trellis plant stakes plant support trellis rod rod tomato stakes connector plant stake connector 90-180cm to choose from (120cm)
EUR 9.20 To the product
packaging 10 pieces
material Steel tube, covered with PE plastic
length 120 centimeters
diameter 11 millimeters
price/piece approx. EUR {PRICE/10}

These tomato sticks made of steel tubing coated with PE plastic can also be used for many years. They are available in different sizes between 90 and 180 centimetres, although you should choose the largest possible variant for the stake tomatoes, which can grow up to two meters high. Otherwise, these plant stakes can be used not only for tomatoes, but also as support for tall stems, long-stalked perennials (e.g. peonies), for shrubs or as a climbing aid for beans. Due to their green color, the tomato sticks are visually quite inconspicuous. In addition, they are covered with nubs, which should ensure a better hold of the plants.

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ORANGE DEAL 100 x plant support tomato sticks trellis made of wood plant stick trellis 90 cm made of bamboo diameter 6 mm (trellis natural)
15.98 EUR To the product
packaging 100 pieces
material bamboo
length 90 centimeters
diameter 6 millimeters
price/piece approx. EUR {PRICE/100}

These tomato sticks made of bamboo, which are available in packs of 100 that are as practical as they are inexpensive, are perfect for lower tomato varieties - for example for bush tomatoes. You will also receive 100 meters of jute twine, which you can use to attach the plants to the stakes - or to connect several stakes to form an individual trellis. The stable and unbreakable poles are also very environmentally friendly, as they are made from a renewable raw material and can be easily composted after use. In this way you save valuable energy and raw materials, but above all harmful plastic.

Purchase Criteria

material

Tomato sticks are made of different materials that have their very specific advantages and disadvantages. What kind of sticks you finally choose depends entirely on your personal preferences.

metal: Plant sticks made of metal are particularly durable and can be used again and again for many years. However, make sure that it is galvanized metal or stainless steel, as the material naturally comes into contact with moisture and can then rust quickly. Metal and plastic-coated tomato sticks are also well suited and visually a little less conspicuous.

plastic: Other tomato sticks are made of plastic and are usually much cheaper than the metal sticks. However, they are also less durable as plastic becomes brittle over time through exposure to the sun and other weather elements. Furthermore, plastic poles are less suitable for larger tomato varieties due to their low weight, as they cannot hold the weight of the plant when they are free-standing.

wood: Tomato sticks made of wood, mostly bamboo, are exactly the right choice for both price-conscious and environmentally conscious gardeners. The renewable material can be composted without leaving any residue (provided the wood is untreated). The wooden sticks can usually only be used for one season, but can be purchased in large packs for little money.

length

The length is also an important purchase criterion for tomato sticks, after all, depending on the variety, tomatoes can grow up to two meters high and then need a correspondingly long support. First of all, look at which tomato varieties you want to grow and how tall they will be: so-called stick tomatoes (e.g. 'Harzfeuer' or 'Harzglut') grow particularly high and therefore require sticks at least two meters long. On the other hand, vine and bush tomatoes (e.g. 'Balkonstar') remain significantly lower and therefore do not need quite as long a support.

diameter

The diameter of tomato sticks is particularly relevant for the so-called spiral sticks. Here the plants get the necessary support by wrapping the thin trunk around the spirally twisted rod. Therefore, the diameter should be less than 10 millimeters, otherwise the tomato stem can easily tear. Otherwise, tomato sticks don't have to be thick, because the thickness of the stick says nothing about its stability - it is solely determined by the material. Tomato sticks with a small diameter are also better suited for pot culture, as they are put directly into the ground and should not take up too much space there.

type and shape

Basically, you have two different shapes to choose from when it comes to tomato sticks: straight and twisted sticks. Since the plants are wound around the spiral rods, they have a better grip there, but they can also break. On straight bars, on the other hand, additional attachment is necessary, for example with a clip, raffia ribbon or similar.
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100 Pcs White Plastic Plant Clips Plant Clips Vine Clips for Vegetable Tomato Plant Support
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price

Of course, the price is also an important purchase criterion and many are tempted to go for the cheapest product first. But be careful: Not everything that is cheap will meet your expectations! For example, is it important to you to be able to reuse the tomato sticks and not have to buy new ones every year? Then you should reach for products made of metal, because you can use them for years. Thus, the initially higher purchase price pays off.

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frequently asked Questions

What are tomato sticks good for?

Tomatoes, especially the high-growing varieties, tend to snap due to the thin stems and heavy fruit load. But not only the tomato fruits, also weather influences such. B. Wind make the plants fall over. To prevent this, you should therefore attach it to a stable support. Tomato sticks or spiral sticks are ideal for this purpose.

How much do tomato sticks cost?

Tomato sticks are usually available in sets of 10, 20 or 100 pieces. The prices given here are to be understood as set prices. You can get metal rods for about 10 to 20 EUR for ten pieces, whereas spiral rods are usually a bit more expensive with prices between 20 and 30 EUR. Wooden sticks, on the other hand, only cost about 10 to 15 EUR per 100 pieces.

How to attach the tomato plant to the support stick?

Even if you wind the tomato plant around a spiral rod, you should also tie it with clips or thread. This increases the durability of the structure. Be sure to leave some space between the plant stake and tomato stem when tying. Tying it up once isn't enough, instead you'll need to attach multiple attachments as the plant grows.

What alternatives are there?

Instead of a tomato pole, you can also use a string attached to the greenhouse ceiling, for example, to guide the plants, winding the trunk around the string like a spiral rod. Alternatively, a (self-made) trellis or trellis is also very suitable as a plant support, especially for several tomatoes. When buying a plant net, make sure that the mesh size is as large as possible.

equipment

tomato soil

our recommendation
Floragard organic soil vegetable soil, earth colors, 40 litres
To the product

In particular, if you want to grow tomatoes in tubs on the balcony or terrace, you need high-quality potting soil. The nightshade plant is one of the heavy feeders and therefore needs a nutrient-rich substrate. Tomato soil with its composition adapted to the needs of the tomato is ideal for this. You can also use compost or other potting soil.

tomato fertilizer

our recommendation
COMPO BIO tomatoes long-term fertilizer for all types of tomatoes, 5 months long-term effect, 750 g
5.99 EUR To the product

But even the highest-quality soil is once exhausted, which is why regular re-fertilization with a tomato or vegetable fertilizer (€7.49) is advisable, especially for potted tomatoes. You can only hope for healthy growth and a rich harvest if the plant receives all the nutrients it needs in the right composition. Instead of tomato fertilizer, organic manure pellets are also suitable.

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