Tie Tomatoes Using the Florida Weave

Explanation: As your tomato plants grow, their weak stems will tend to fall over and sit in the dirt. This can make your plants susceptible to disease and rot, and will increase your chances of stepping on them. Most farmers tie their plants to stakes to increase plant height, increase plant yield, and to keep their rows clear for people or machinery.

Steps

 * 1) Carefully hammer your stakes into the ground, with two plants between each stake. The stakes should be as straight and vertical as possible, and should be in line with the plants.  Make sure the stakes are at least 6” in the ground.  The stakes should not wiggle.[[Image:Tie Tomatoes_ the Florida Weave Step 1.jpg|center]]
 * 2) Hammer two stakes together at the ends of the rows for extra reinforcement.[[Image:Tie Tomatoes_ the Florida Weave Step 2.jpg|center]]
 * 3) Tie the end of the string to the stake at the end of the row about 8” off the ground.[[Image:Tie Tomatoes_ the Florida Weave Step 3.jpg|center]]
 * 4) Carefully bring the string in front of the first plant next to the stake, then behind the second plant.[[Image:Tie Tomatoes_ the Florida Weave Step 4.jpg|center]]
 * 5) Pull the string tight and loop it around the next stake once.[[Image:Tie Tomatoes_ the Florida Weave Step 5.jpg|center]]
 * 6) Proceed to the next set of plants, repeating steps 4 and 5, keeping the string parallel to the ground.[[Image:Tie Tomatoes_ the Florida Weave Step 6.jpg|center]]
 * 7) *Note that when you have reached the end of the row, loop the string around the end stake twice, and work your way back down the other side of the plants, putting the string on the side of the plant that doesn’t already have a string. The two strings should cross half-way between each pair of stakes.  Don’t pull this side too tight, or you’ll break the plants.
 * 8) Return to the starting end, tie off and then cut your twine. You are now ready for your next row(s).[[Image:Tie Tomatoes_ the Florida Weave Step 7.jpg|center]]

Tips

 * When the plants are tall enough, you will have to string another row, about 8 - 10 in above the previous row, until either the plants stop growing or the plants are taller than the stakes.
 * Before you begin, the plants should be in rows, should be about 18” apart, and should be well watered to minimize root damage and so that the stakes will go in easier.
 * The time to string tomatoes is after they are at least 10”, but while they are still under 20”. If you do it too soon, you are wasting your time and string, and if you wait too late, you will break more plants than you are helping.

Warnings

 * CAUTION!! Tomato plants are fragile and will snap if you do not handle them gently.

Things You'll Need

 * Wooden stakes – enough for a stake after every two plants, plus a few extras for reinforcement or in case one breaks. They should be about four feet if the plants are determinate, and up to seven feet if the plants are non-determinate.
 * A sledgehammer or stake-pounder.
 * Twine. The USDA uses nylon twine because it is cheaper and doesn’t snag the stems, but my uncle always used baler twine because it is biodegradable, non-petrochemical, and won’t cut into your fingers.
 * Scissors.

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