The 3 and 4 ring things sold as tomato cages but which don't do squat for tomatoes work well for pepper plants.

Florida weave is another good method for controlling pepper plants.

Dave

Yeah I also use those wimpy "tomato" cages for peppers. They work great for this use.

Thanks for the suggestion, Dave. Trouble is that I have three California Wonder Bell pepper plants that are easily 3 1/2 feet tall and would grow at least that wide if I didn't reign them in with the stakes and the string. They are so dense that I can barely locate the peppers growing inside. From what I've seen of "tomato cages", they would be overwhelmed by a plant that size, don't you think?

Over the weekend I passed a farm stand that grows its own produce. I was in a hurry and didn't have time to check out their pepper plants, but the lady managing the stand half-jokingly said that maybe I'm using too much Miraclegro. I never touch the stuff.

Frank

I use t-posts for my peppers. Two or three per pepper.

Those three ring tomato cages are to wimpy for our peppers. We use concrete reinforcing wire we make a cage out of it and hog ring it together to form a cage. we then burry some of the bottom of the cage in the ground to keep it from tipping over with the weight.

Florida Weave baby! Lived there, did that and did nutrition research in the fields. Works great!

So, please tell this Nor'easter. What is Florida Weave? I never heard of it.

"So, please tell this Nor'easter. What is Florida Weave? I never heard of it."

Here ya go...

Here is a link that might be useful: Florida Weave

Thanks for the Florida Weave explanation, sandhill farms. It's one of the clearest descriptions of a garden practice that I've ever seen. Funny thing: That's how I grow my beans, only I didn't have a name for it. In my case, I start with two or three strings wrapped around the posts at ground level, and as the beans grow upward I slide the strings up the posts to keep the bean plants upright.

While I was at it I checked out a couple of your other posts. You are one hard worker. I admire your breadth of expertise.

Frank

One of the most simple and sturdy ways I've found of staking plants is to use T-Posts and Field Fencing, (as depicted in the Photo below). These are heirloom tomatoes that are growing but I also use the fencing for pole beans, peas, etc. Actually anything that will eventually need support. As the plants grow I train (or tie) them to the fencing.

Greg
Southern Nevada

{{gwi:100316}}

Good grief, Greg! You've turned me green with envy. What a startling setup you have there. Makes me want to pack up my things and move next door to you so I can watch you work and emulate you.

Mine is just a little backyard garden with limited space, although I do a pretty good job of using every inch of it. But clearly you go far beyond backyard gardening. How extensive is your operation? Your organizing and precision are impressive.

In our short season, I use either remesh or extra ends of cattle panel stuck upright, held up with a branch from pruning or old bamboo driven into soil, spaced ~12-18" apart, depending upon variety. This scheme stores well over winter and easy to put out again in spring.

Dan

Just learn something new today: Florida Weave. I'm going to try that this fall on something for sure!

I did the same thing Billy did. I made several tomato cages out of concrete reinforcement wire, and while I was at it I made shorter ones for my peppers. Works like a charm, and they're good for Dahlias and Peonies as well.

Sandhill...I'm curious. What's your irrigation situation there in Nevada? Do you have a well? Garden hose? What's your water bill run, if you don't mind me asking?