halle1@houxz.UUCP (J.HALLE) (07/03/84)
Last year I made some tomato cages that are six feet high, which prevented the problems described. Five feet might be enough, depending on variety. I bought a roll of welded wire. The six inch square grid is the best, but the wire is stiff enough to be a little hard to work with and was difficult to cut with standard wire cutters. Smaller grids might work, but getting tomatoes out is difficult. I opened up the roll, using two benches from the picnic table to hold down the ends. Next I cut a six foot section, giving me a 4'x6' piece. I rolled the piece sideways, overlapping one square, making a tube 6' long and about 15" across. By cutting on the proper side of the wire, you will have spikes to anchor it. I cut the top and bottom squares to give me wire to secure it together by wrapping the freed ends appropriately. (It's easier to do than to explain.) One tip: wear work gloves, or you'll kill your hands.