Next time I plant tomatoes I won't be using a bird net covering.

https://pixabay.com/en/tomatoes-grape-tomatoes-salad-646645/
Dallas, Texas
August 26, 2016 12:51pm CST
The main reason is simple. Once you see the growth of your tomatoes and cucumbers go beyond the netting itself, it is obvious in the later summertime, that when it comes time to remove the netting, it is entangled by all of the vines and in order to remove it the netting has to be cut so badly that I have to throw it away when I'm done. Worse than this, I have many blooms still and a few baby cucumbers draping down through and over the tomato cages. There was a bumble bee flying from flower to flower and it seemed a bit hostile towards me. I decided after removing most of the framework to keep the rest of the netting in tact, and let the tomatoes and cucumber alone and just wait until winter when the plants have finished their full harvesting potential and throw away the netting. Then I will dig up that area, fully fertilize it with fresh compost and added soil mixture and when spring comes next year, I think I will try to build a basic wood frame around it and surround it with something like chicken wire using a staple gun and make it about 8 feet or higher so that the tomatoes can grow to their maximum height. The netting worked but removing it damaged some of the plants. I have a similar issue with my blackberries. They grew to heights of up to 12 feet in places.
Try your tomatoes a different way with these smart DIYs.
4 people like this
3 responses
@norcal (4890)
• Franklinton, North Carolina
26 Aug 16
I have tomato cages made from sturdy wire fencing. They support the plants well, and can be reused year after year.
3 people like this
@vandana7 (99119)
• India
26 Aug 16
Can you upload the images please..
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@norcal (4890)
• Franklinton, North Carolina
26 Aug 16
@vandana7 - I can't find any photos of my tomato cages, and they aren't handy right now, but here is a link to how to make them. These look just like my tomato cages. He recommends planting tomatoes around the cage, but I just put the cage over one tomato plant.
For large tomatoes, DIYNetwork.com experts demonstrate how to make a sturdy homemade wire cage. It's easy to make and relatively inexpensive, as well as taller and more heavy-duty than most ready-made cages.
2 people like this
• Dallas, Texas
26 Aug 16
@norcal . Thank you for adding your link to this discussion. It may be of help to many.
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@minders1 (83)
• Lagos, Nigeria
26 Aug 16
It is good you observed this and can make adjustment. I wish you a big harvest.
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• Dallas, Texas
26 Aug 16
When I see the bees are still being busy I know better than to disturb the plants at this point. I also see many blooms and small baby cucumbers as well. Thanks.
• Dallas, Texas
26 Aug 16
@lookatdesktop Check out this video. It is a simple way to make tomato cages using concrete wire.
This video is about is about how to make the best tomato cage. Why is this the best tomato cage? It is strong enough to support a heavy load of tomatoes, the...
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@norcal (4890)
• Franklinton, North Carolina
27 Aug 16
@lookatdesktop I guess that's what we used, because my hubby is a concrete finisher.
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@amandajay (23264)
• New Zealand
29 Aug 16
I wish you could get a good harvest...