Tomato Talk: Stake plants to keep fruit off ground, reduce risk of disease
K-State horticulture expert outlines options for giving tomatoes a lift
At a glance: Tomato cages help to provide support and security for plants. K-State horticulture instructor Matt McKernan shares tips for constructing sturdy cages.
More information: Matt McKernan, hortsupport@ksu.edu
K-State Extension horticulture expert Matthew McKernan says that tomato cages help provide stability for plants.
May 11, 2026
K-State Extension news service
MANHATTAN, Kan. – Late May and early June are an important period for one of home gardener’s favorite crops – tomatoes.
Kansas State University horticultural expert Matt McKernan said tomatoes need support to remain upright. If left to grow on the ground, he notes, tomatoes receive less airflow and are at greater risk for disease.
“Support structures keep the fruit off the ground, which helps reduce contamination from contact with soil,” McKernan said. “It also allows garden space to be used more effectively and allows the leaves to protect the fruit from sunscald mid-summer.”
Is there a right or wrong way to support tomatoes? “Maybe…” McKernan said.
It’s most important to start when plants are small and beginning to grow. For compact, container tomatoes, traditional cages purchased at local stores can be effective. The cages often come in fun colors, but tend to be more expensive than building your own.
“The support they provide is minimal and often insufficient for most tomato varieties,” McKernan said.
He suggests home gardeners build their own cages using concrete reinforcing mesh.
“With a roll 150 feet long and five feet tall, you can create multiple tomato cages and trellises to support climbing plants,” he said. “The openings between the wires are large enough to fit your hand through for harvesting and allow even large slicing tomatoes to slide through.”
To make your own tomato cage, cut the wire to the desired length and create a cylinder that will wrap around the plant. As an example, McKernan notes that cutting wire to a length of six feet will make a cage that is almost two feet in diameter.
Bring both ends of the panel together to make a cylindrical shape and use the cut wires to secure the ends together. Remove the horizontal wire at the bottom end of the cylinder, leaving the vertical wires or prongs that can be pushed into the ground to help hold the cage in place.
“To keep the cage in place during Kansas’ strong summer winds, add at least one or two stakes next to the cage for additional support,” he said. “Hammer them into the soil several inches and attach the cage to them using wire or garden tape.”
Another support method is a trellising system known as ‘basketweave’ or ‘stake and weave.’ With plants in a row, place a t-post in the ground between every few plants, and a t-post at the beginning and end of each row.
“When plants are about one foot tall, tie a strand of twine to the t-post at one end of the row,” McKernan said. “Walk the length of the row holding the twine and wrapping it around each t-post as you pass.”
At the end of the row, he adds, wrap the twine around the t-post and return to the start while again wrapping the twine around each post.
“As you come upon plants, they should be carefully placed between the strings for support,” McKernan said. “When you reach the starting point, cut the twine and secure it to the t-post. As the plants grow, add twine higher up on the posts in the same pattern. Twine should be added every 8-12 inches, or at least before the plants begin to droop.”
McKernan and his colleagues in K-State’s Department of Horticulture and Natural Resources produce a weekly Horticulture Newsletter with tips for maintaining home landscapes and gardens.
Interested persons can subscribe to the newsletter, as well as send their garden and yard-related questions to hortsupport@ksu.edu, or contact your local K-State Extension office.
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K‑State Extension is a short name for the Kansas State University Cooperative Extension Service, a program designed to generate and distribute useful knowledge for the wellbeing of Kansans. Supported by county, state, federal and private funds, the program has county extension offices statewide. Its headquarters is on the K‑State campus in Manhattan. For more information, visit www.ksre.ksu.edu. K-State Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer.