Been there, done that. To solve the problem I had one
year (tomatoes bent the cages), I ended up using PVC pipe
to make cages.

It's not a cheapo solution, but for me, it works quite well.

Here is a link that might be useful: PVC Cage link

For this year, I would put a metal t-post beside it and wire or zip tie the basket to it. In past years, I had those little baskets fall over in a strong wind.

The tomato plants don't get quite as big in Wisconsin as they do in warmer parts of the country. I'd see about adding a stake more to support the cage than the plant (those cheap cages do bend) and let the plant grow back down from the top of the cage.

Agree - just drive a 5-6' tall wood stake next to each one - 2x2 with a 45 degree angle cut on the bottom will work. Drive it far enough away so that you are not driving it into the roots. Tie off the cage to the stake and then use the rest of the stake to tie the plant off to.

Dave

the ones i have in cages i use a weave on when they get taller than the cage

Thanks for the suggestions!! Live and learn...guess I'll see how big the tomatoes get this year and know how to plan better for next year.

When I had the same problem last year, upended a second el cheapo cage to the top of the first, and tied it on. Then, I supplemented with lots and lots and lots of bamboo poles to keep everything stable. I also did a lot of vine tying back to the outside of cages and to poles. It all worked reasonably well. This year, I'm using the heavy duty 54 inch cages, and I still am tying on a second set of cages. But its all much more stable and easier to work with. :)

I have a question - how does letting tomato plant grow 5-6' tall affect production and/or taste of the fruit vs. if you keep plants short? I know there is a difference between determinate and indeterminate. I treat both types the same way. Mine are planted in raised beds, along a cattle fence (which is in turn supported by few reebars), so the support height is about 4 ft. I trim the plant tops when they get to the upper edge of the fence. The plants then tend to branch out, in which case I tie the large stems to the cage, and I tie the heavy fruiting branches to the cage to help support the fruit.

So does keeping it short or letting them grow as tall as they desire affect fruit amount, quality?

I've tried a few different techniques, finally found something that works last year.

I buy the triangular, green cages they sell at Home Depot, two for each plant. I put one into the ground just like normal, plant in the middle. Then I take a second one and zip tie extending/over-lapping the bottom one. It's hard to explain but this basically doubles the height of the cage, and it's just as stable.