Step 5: Secure the Main Posts
- Use a hammer or mallet to firmly tap the ground around the base of each post to secure them. Ensure they are stable and won’t topple when plants grow heavy.
Step 6: Attach Horizontal Support Lines
- Start from one end of the row; tie twine or wire to the top of one post and stretch it tightly to the other.
- Space lines 12 to 18 inches apart, depending on tomato variety. Secure lines to posts by wrapping or using fasteners.
Step 7: Plant Tomato Seedlings
- Dig planting holes along the row, spaced according to tomato variety recommendations.
- Plant seedlings deep, burying lower stems as tomatoes can root from them.
Step 8: Tie Tomato Plants to Trellis
- Guide main stems along trellis as plants grow.
- Use soft ties (cloth strips or twist ties) to secure stems to twine or wire. Adjust ties to prevent damage.
Step 9: Prune and Train Tomato Plants
- Regularly prune side shoots (suckers) in leaf axils to maintain single-stemmed plants.
- Secure main stem to trellis and gently train lateral branches as plants grow taller.
Step 10: Monitor and Maintain
- Monitor plants for pests, diseases, and nutrient needs.
- Keep soil consistently moist and fertilize according to tomato variety requirements.
Building a tomato trellis ensures your plants grow upright, saving space and promoting healthy, productive growth. Follow these steps for a successful tomato gardening season!
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