Tomato cages, ladders, trellises- what's your favorite?

[changingseasons]

This is my first year growing tomatoes, and I'm trying to figure out the best way to do it. I have 3 indeterminate varieties (2 heirloom, 1 cherry) that are going into my square foot garden. I definitely want them going up, rather than out, since room is tight. I like the look of the ladders, but have seen more positive reviews for cages. In my other SFG bed, I built a trellis with conduit (supported on rebar) and the large nylon netting, which worked great for peas and squash last year, so I'm thinking that might work as well.

So... tell me- what is your favorite way to grow tomatoes and why? TIA!

[Ruthiegirl]

I do the trellis method. I have a couple of heavy poles that I hammer in the yard and nail a piece of fencing material to them. The fencing material is heavy wire with space 1 inch by 2 inches.

We live with a lot of heat and humidity, so the open trellis helps with air flow and decreases my issues with wilt and rot.

The poles and fencing have been reused many summers now and are still going strong.

When I lived in the PNW, I used a lot of tomato cages which worked beautifully. The summer were very dry though, so the compact nature of the cage was perfect in a smaller garden.

[goldfinches]

I found some super heavy duty cages, the round ones, at Menards a few years ago. They're my favorite - I hope to find more somewhere this year.

I dislike other round cages, they are too wimpy and need at least 2 stakes to remain upright.

I also have tried the kind that are 3 flat panels that form a triangle. They're worse than the wimpy round ones.

[Owen'nZoe]

My absolute favorite way is now doing a Florida weave. If you don't know what it looks like, Google will turn up instructions and photos. It is inexpensive, works well, is easy to maintain, and makes harvesting easy, too. I just use the 6' metal stakes that you use for fencing, and twine.

[Chicky2]

I came across this the other day. Maybe you'll get some ideas.

http://www.bhg.com/gardening/vegetab...oes-fun-ideas/

[changingseasons]

Great ideas! Keep 'em coming!