Grow Up! How to Train Your Tomatoes

Tomatoes. Every gardener grows them, and every gardener has strong opinions on how “thou shalt properly grow tomatoes,” especially on how to keep them controlled. And, let’s be honest, control wouldn’t even be an issue if tomato plants weren’t so, well, out of control. They sprawl across their neighbors’ beds, hogging space and muscling in on anything unfortunate enough to be planted nearby. Not only that, but they tend to hide their fruit under leaves and on the ground, where rot, slugs, and misplaced feet can take their toll on the harvest.

There’s good news, though. With so many tomato growers holding so many opinions on the subject, there’s more than one way to keep your tomatoes in their place. Staking, caging, trellising, and even upside-down planters harness vertical growth, and this article will help you decide which way is best for training your tomatoes.

Growing Pains

First, let’s discuss tomato growth patterns. Every tomato shows one of two growth habits: indeterminate or determinate. Indeterminate tomatoes never stop growing or producing tomatoes until they die. Heirloom cultivars and the monster slicers everyone loves are usually indeterminate. Determinate tomatoes are stockier and more compact, and they fruit all at once. Most hybrids and commercial cultivars are determinate. If you’re planning on making lots of sauce or canned tomatoes, determinate