You only need one stake per tomato plant as long as it's sturdy. You then loosely tie the stem to the stake as it grows.

Alternately you can use two stakes and put either trellis netting between or any metal fencing material with openings large enough for your hands to fit through and wind the stem through the fencing as it grows.

Lots of ways to support the plants, the real key is the support has to be sturdy.

That's reassuring, Justa. I bought the tomato ladders, and some similar vegetable ladders. I have my fingers crossed.

if you are growing indeterminants you want to make sure you have very sturdy staking framing as the plants can get very heavy. I use the green metal fence posts as stakes, 6" x 6 " remesh to contain them and panty hose to train / tie the stems to the cages.

thanks.

ok - I'm hearing the "strudy" message.

I have other tomatoes in large containers with inexpensive cages - I've done this other years and its always been fine. My area has such a short growing season - its hard to imagine these 6' beasts. Frex - I have an early girl - which is a hybrid indeterminate - and it seems fine with the cage. My backyard is fairly wind-sheltered.

I'm really looking forward to the monster heirlooms - and my first year with these nice beds.