Overhead Tomato Supports

http://durgan.org/2016/April%202016/30%20April%202016%20Overhead%20Tomato%20Supports/HTML/ 30 April 2016 Overhead Tomato Supports
A area,24 feet by 8 feet, was prepared for 21 tomato plants. An overhead support structure using rebar and fence posts about 6 feet high was built. Tomato plant will be supported by strings tied to the overhead structure. The plants will have no obstacles inhibiting growth of the fruit, and strings are added during the growing season as required. The structure is tied at appropriate places using plastic ties.

One quick note on plastic ties. If you're using zip ties, get the black ones from the home center electrical department. They're pretty cheap in bundles of 100+ and if they're black they are usually UV stabilized (check the label). The white ones seem to get brittle and fail within one summer in my limited experience.

Mike Jay wrote:One quick note on plastic ties. If you're using zip ties, get the black ones from the home center electrical department. They're pretty cheap in bundles of 100+ and if they're black they are usually UV stabilized (check the label). The white ones seem to get brittle and fail within one summer in my limited experience.

I discovered that over the last two or three years. Sometimes they break when installing. It is not only UV, it is an inferior product. The UV ones seem to be better. I suspect they are being made off shore. I used ties for years and seldom had one break. Sure is annoying.

http://durgan.org/2016/May%202016/7%20May%202016%20Mulching%20Tomato%20Bed/HTML/ 7 May 2016 Mulching Tomato Bed
A layer of wood chip mulch about three cubic yards was laid on the tomato bed. The tomatoes will be planted about the end of May. Mulch is used in my case to maintain moisture by inhibiting water evaporation from the Sun.

Any updates on how these worked out? Or photos of them with the plants in? I am thinking about trying a system like this rather than poles with horizontal strings woven in and out of the plants, which always get floppy by August...