One way to support your tomato plants without the use of a tomato cage is by planting a piece of rebar next to your tomato plant! The process is easy and you can usually find the supplies around your neighborhood.

For every tomato plant you will need:

• a 2 foot long rebar that is 3/8 or 1/3 inch in diameter
• a 6-10ft straight bamboo pole

You will also need:

• a mini sledge hammer (or regular hammer)
• a roll of plant tape

When you plant your tomato plant hammer a rebar about 6 inches away from the plant stalk (make sure not to damage any roots). Hammer the rebar almost completely into the ground leaving only about 4 inches above ground. The rebar should be sturdy once planted firmly into the ground.

Next, firmly situate the bamboo onto the rebar. The hollow bamboo inside should fit snuggly around the rebar and go down as far as it can (into the earth a couple inches).

You don’t want the bamboo to move that easily so when it is propped on the rebar make sure doesnt lean or move… it is the tomatoes support column!

Now as the tomato grows, use the plant tape to loop the stalk of the plant to the bamboo. There is no need for tomato cages at all!

Before you know it, your tomato plants will be taller than you! My tomato plants ended up being taller than 7 feet.