Class: Tomato Cage Making

Anyone who has grown great tomatoes (or even not-so-great) can attest to the fact that staking them properly is a challenge.  I've found no commercially-made tomato cage that can hold a 10 foot plant.  And yes, my tomatoes regularly get above and beyond 10 feet. 

Don't let the size of these plants in the photos fool you.  I took these pics before the tomatoes grew so big as to make the cage hard to see.

This Love Apple Farm workshop shows you how to make and use what I call "proper" tomato cages.  These babies are 7 feet tall and two feet wide. 

You may take the class and learn how to do it yourself, which is $20 per person.  Most folks, however, want to take advantage of my discount price that day, and take home the tomato cages we make during class.

I usually charge $15 each for these mondo cages, which will last for decades.  But for one day only, class day, people can make and take the cages for $12 each.  We all help in the cage-making that day.  I require advance notice of how many cages you'd like to help make and buy.

You need not buy any cages to attend the class.  Regardless, you'll need to register in advance by clicking the "Pay Now" button below.  If you'd like to take away cages, let me know a week before the workshop by emailing me the number of cages.  You can pay for your cages "at the door."

ADVANCE REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED

Available class dates:

April 25, 2010 (Sunday) 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

THIS CLASS IS NOW FULL! THERE ARE NO ADDITIONAL CLASSES SCHEDULED.

Comments

[Amy Jespersen]

No matter how much we want to believe you we still seem to maintain a certain amount of denial. You said the tomatoes would grow 7 plus feet, you said these cages would work and you said STAKE the cages or they will fall over. It is the end of the season but I was hoping for just a couple more weeks.

[Chris Melching]

Hi Cynthia,
I'm so excited about this upcoming CAGE class. I'm registered and bringing a friend. I'd like to make/buy 5 cages, and she'd like 4 cages. Her name is Karen B.

[Love Apple Farm]

The containers can have the pokey ends cut off, so it's just a ring on the bottom. If there were a post or fence located somewhere around, you could tie the cage to that, to prevent it from falling over later in the summer with the weight of tomatoes in it.

[Jordan]

I have a question--your cages look they are to be inserted in the ground. Could they be used with containers on a deck? Or would they maybe fall over? My containers are 18" tall and 17" wide. Thanks for your time.

[Melanie]

I wish I was close enough to attend one of your classes!
Those cages look great! I use 8' stakes anchored 1' into the ground for my tomatoes, but with the wet summer we had last year, all of my plants were 10'+. One cherry even reached 15' tall and was climbing into the neighbour's tree! A little 3' tomato cage is only good for a little determinant tomato, or maybe peppers!
I hope the class goes well and I wish I could be there!

[Rene]

Cynthia classes are great, before I took one of her classes I was horrible at gardening, overwatered everything, and my soil amendment was way off. Last year took several classes and it made a huge difference; I am so thankful; from the seedlings to growing to finally harvesting eating and giving to family and friends its great and very addictive - Love Gardening

[Kerry]

Thanks for all the useful information given at the Early Spring Veggie class. It really is a great way to prepare ahead for the season and gives me something constructive to do between rains!
Looking forward to my next class AND my chickens laying their 1st eggs this spring :)

[Amy]

Seeing those beautiful tomato plants made me really wish it was summertime!

[Catt Porter]

PS....I think I have 16 cages to date...Catt..;>}

[Catt Porter]

Hi Cynthia,

After all this rain I am hoping we all have a great Summer harvest! This will be my 3rd year using the cages you and I cut and I can't think of a better way to re-cycle! They are such a big hit at the community garden I share that I have had many people inquire about them.....I would love to keep it a secret but "sharing is caring"...;>}. One thing I really love about your cages is they are sturdy enough to hold the weight of the large tomatoes I have grown....your plants/seeds! I can't wait until your sale begins as I missed the Paul Robeson plants last year....waiting anxiously! Take care and see you soon, Catt

[Meredith]

I am not, unfortunately, anywhere near your class. My tomatoes needed such help last year. One reached 12 feet, which is insane. I love that you saw the problem and created your own unique solution at Love Apple Farm. :)

[Eric Schley]

I love the tomato cages. Since I'm nowhere close to your location I'll have to try making them myself.

Do you weld it together?

[Jane]

Fabulous and beautiful. I'm very jealous of those who live close enough! You really need to move to MO. I don't care where I would make the trip. When I come to CA and I will be coming, I'm taking your classes!

[Jennifer in MamaLand]

Traditional "tomato" cages are only good for small flowery things... I would love to live close enough to be able to attend this workshop and make some REAL cages that can stand up to a real indeterminate tomato! Great site for us fresh-tomato starved tomatophiles!!!

[Sara]

Your blog is so informative! I wish I lived closer so I could attend one of your classes.

[Steve Tanner]

I plan on buying at least five of your custom tomato cages. Last year I didn’t give them enough root space and so the plants started to fail, but two traditional cages stacked and tied end-to-end wasn’t even adequate.

Thanks,

Steve