Market Farming

["Bill Shoemaker" <wshoemak AT inil.com>]

>We have been using metal fence posts to tie up tomatoes sometimes but
>don't have enough of them for this year.  Was thinking about going to an
>Amish lumber yard to try to find wooden stakes.  But with wooden stakes,
>how would you attach the twine?

Most people who use stake-and-weave systems simply run the twine down the
row, looping it tightly onto the wooden stake as they go. The twine is drawn
tight (taut) and the rough texture of the wooden stake holds it in place.
When you get to the end of the row, go back down the row on the other side,
repeating the procedure. The two strands on each side contain the tomato
plants and create a hedge, holding up the plants. When the twine gets back
to the starting point, tie it off. Run twine every 6-8" as the plants grow
up. Warning though; if you're growing indeterminate varieties, they can
quickly outgrow your system.

Bill Shoemaker
Sr Research Specialist, Food Crops
Univ of Illinois - St Charles Hort Research Center