trellis built
johns.coastal.patio(USDA 10b, Sunset 24)May 27, 2014
Thanks for the design ideas, guys. I ended up going with 1/2" conduit, with stands so it would work on the patio. The stands are built so that they can take a sandbag on front, and I will probably do that.
First you start with your dad's old 25 cent pipe cutter.
Then you figure out how to bring 10 foot conduits home in a Prius.
Build yourself some bases.
And put them up.
The whole thing is a little over 8' by 8'.
It is a nice trellis, but did you anchor it in the ground as well as use bases? With just the bases, I don't see how it could not fall over away from the wall once the weight of the tomatoes are on it.
diagonal bracing gives sheer support (side-to-side).
You are right that it isn't a rock solid arrangement. The bases are big though, built from some scrap 2x6's. With the cross-feet they are pretty stable, and the forward-back length from the wall is 30 inches.
I think I know where I saw some free sandbags ...
I think with those cross T feet it will be pretty stable.
What are you going to use fro the trellis/string part of the support John.
Dave
I just tied some hemp (or sisal? something soft) lines. Bowlines on the stem, a few wraps, and a quick release hitch on top. It looks like if I support the majors, the minors will be held in. We'll see.
I did notice when I was on the ladder that my Super Sweet 100 isn't setting fruit as reliably up on top. I was overdue for a 2 week feeding ... don't know.
The completed effort.
Looking good, John. You can drop as many string as needed, one for each stem. You can also run horizontal lines to contain the branches.
john - very nice! i'm using a similar trellis set up - strings dropped from conduit frame, though mine isn't as tall - will your plants hit the top and if so what will you do? top them or let them drape back down?
I am not sure, slowjane ;-). Deferred decision making. (Probably let them go.)
Congrats Johns, you built a nice set up for your toms !
I admired all the stuff you guys build for your toms and spent my winter months dreaming about your various ways.
Finally, as I have two left hands and a job that keeps me too busy for my taste, I decided to let my plants do as they like.
I guess it'll end up with crawling toms on boxes.
And more mockery and hypocrite smiles from my neighbors.
Well never mind, anyway I sucked so much from the start that the 50 ones which survived out of 210 seeds have gone through a real darwinian selection ;-)
I assume those 50 ones are pretty life loving toms who can take care of themselves alone.
But I'll never stop admiring your dexterity !
Francoise ... I could post a close up that shows how I sometimes miss a nail with a hammer by a country mile ;-)
(The important joints are screwed, but the feet are nailed on.)
This post was edited by johns.coastal.patio on Mon, Jun 2, 14 at 11:12