I would assume it would need to be like a piano string if it was only a single string... In my experience, tomato vines are quite rigid... I have had the most luck with either a cage or a stake. I tried the netting last year with mixed results and a few broken leaves.

No. My strings are not very tight at all, maybe ~1/2 inch of give in the middle at the beginning of the season.

I also connect them such that I can take the plants down, lay them on the ground, and cover with row cover in October. Next morning I pick up the end of the string, hopefully avoid stepping on anything, and connect back to the top of the trellis. Tight string does not allow this. I currently use hempen twine and freebie carabiners (seemingly every volunteer event gives away a carabiner these days, attached to a water bottle or some such).

Two vines, two strings. Three vines, three strings.

Dan

I stand corrected. I had no idea it would be strong enough!

IMHO, photohound, strings and trellises are best (you can purchase these corkscrew things for 19.99 that you stick in the ground that do the same thing). They are cheap, strong, easy to store at end of season, and you can take down toms when frost is coming.

:o)

Dan

So let me ask this. Do the strings need to be completely vertical?
My garden is up against my deck. So I could easily fasten the strings to my deck rail without having to erect another trellis. The problem being that if the string wasn't at somewhat of an angle the plant would be right up against the lattice for about 3 feet before it would clear the floor of the deck and only have to contend with the railing spindles.

I've seen tomatoes grown on twine in a greenhouse that were a great success. They kept the plants to one vine, one string, and they were grown at a fairly severe angle since when they got to 7 or 8 feet tall, they were difficult to reach to pick. (I got to taste them in mid February on a frigid day and they were the best tasting tomatoes I've ever eaten in winter. They were grown by agricultural students at a state college.)

Sandy

This thread has my mind growing crazy....I meant to build some cages this year, but I haven't gotten around to it, and with the state of the economy, I'm not sure I want to drop a bunch of money to buy CRM. I might use some of my leftover wood pallets (some are 8 feet long) to make some trellises to hold the tomatoes. It seems like it would be more economical, and could still provide me with a LOT of tomatoes. By pruning to one or two vines, I should still get a lot of tomatoes from each plant and still be able to plant them pretty close together!

AWESOME. I love reading all the different ideas!

eaglesgarden, have you thought of using the Florida Weave method? I'm going to try that this year with my indeterminates.

Granny

Here is a link that might be useful: Florida Weave

I am also thinking of just using the lattice and railing of my deck to tie them up. The only problem I have with this is my two young daughters getting into them when they are on the deck.
But it would not require any new material to purchase and set up. Plus I wouldn't have to construct anything even though I love to build things.

Since this close planting is really just an experiment for me so that I can plant many different varieties this year, I would prefer to buy or build something I may not use in the future.

I too love all of the different ideas I have found here. It always gives me lots to think about.

Snowman

***eaglesgarden, have you thought of using the Florida Weave method? I'm going to try that this year with my indeterminates.

Yes, I've thought about it...But, I am going to be on vacation for a week in late June, and I'd have to work too hard to catch up with the weave. I think the single string method might be easier to catch up on. Of course, this is the reason I was thinking about cages in the first place. ;-)

I really think I'd prefer to buy a big roll of concrete reinforcement wire and make permanent cages, but where would I store them in the winter? And I'm sure I'd have to buy spray paint for them, as I wouldn't want to look at rusty cages (they do rust, don't they?). I have the T-posts, so I thought I'd give the F. Weave a try.

Granny

Here is a link that might be useful: Annie's Kitchen Garden

Yeah, I would prefer CRM, but my wallet can't take the hit. I've already spent more this year because I am starting from seed for the first time than I have in previous years. Granted my purchases are investments for the future, but I'll have to wait until next year for the CRM.

I am going to try the single string method, and take my chances. If it fails, it fails.

eaglesgarden,
I'm in the same boat as you. First time from seed for me.

Based on your user name I'm assuming your an Eagles fan? I just moved from SE PA in September down to NC. I really miss going to the games.