Sprawl Method - Page 4

dice · November 8, 2007

(Sorry about the thread drift. If I think of something
more to say about sprawling, I'll add it.)

"Much like an oblisk in structure."

That's what I was thinking. With the feet spread
like the bottom of a ladder that narrows at the
top, high winds coming from the side have to
lift the whole thing *up* several inches before
it will tip over sideways.

If one is really paranoid about that (from experience),
one could add these (reasonably priced) awning
anchors with a cord or cable through them:

http://www.pplmotorhomes.com/parts/r...ral-anchor.htm

bryanccfshr · November 8, 2007

Great conversation. I will post on the structure when I build it. As for Sprawling, it's on the agenda.

TomatoDon · November 8, 2007

However we drift, we always have fun!

But on the ladder thing. I know it will work. But are you sure you aren't getting too elaborate on this? Morgan's cages will do the same, so will the CRW. Just make it taller. I'll assure you it is much easier. But...I try new things too. Sometimes that is the fun of it.

D

Don

bryanccfshr · November 8, 2007

Maybe a bit more effort but in the winter when nothing is growing it will satisfy my urge to work on a project while I am home for 2 weeks at a time.
The end product should be nice and I am certain that Morgans wire fencing and CRW methods are just as good (maybe better) and perhaps simpler but I will actually get some pleasure from constructing these and painting them different colors. Like building beds and hauling in yards of gravel and soil with a wheel barrow I wouldn't go through all this effort if it wasn't for the fact that I actually enjoy the work. The tomatoes are just a perk. A great perk.

TomatoDon · November 8, 2007

Now you're talking!

D

dice · November 8, 2007

Reasonably priced parachute cord:

http://www.epcamps.com/Parachute_Cord.html

Edit:

(Although minimum shipping is $8 there, so maybe
not so reasonable on a small order.)

dcarch · November 8, 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by dice

Reasonably priced parachute cord:
http://www.epcamps.com/Parachute_Cord.html
Edit: (Although minimum shipping is $8 there, so maybe not so reasonable on a small order.)

In my support system, I use 2.3 mm nylon cord which I got from eBay, 2,000 feet for $20.00. The cord is very strong, non-streching, completely re-useable and I have been using them for many years. Interestingly you can un-tie knots easily with this type of cord.
http://www.tomatoville.com/showthrea...hlight=support

The following pics show my support system which is 10 feet tall and 40 feet long between posts. Practically invisible.

dcarch

dice · November 9, 2007

"2,000 feet for $20.00"

Now we're talking. Best I saw on a general
survey of parachute cord was 300' for $15.00
with $4 shipping or 1000' for $50 (didn't
check shipping cost).

dcarch · November 9, 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by dice

"2,000 feet for $20.00"
Now we're talking. Best I saw on a general survey of parachute cord was 300' for $15.00 with $4 shipping or 1000' for $50 (didn't check shipping cost).

Lots on sale on eBay always. Search "Nylon cord", "rope", "twine"

some on sale now. 3,000' about $20.00 bid.

dcarch

Ruth_10 · November 10, 2007

Back to sprawling:

Quote:

Sprawling:
allows extra roots to form were the stem touch to ground

That's a good point, Celticman. The plant might have some additional vigor from the extra roots. My folks always let their tomatoes sprawl; everyone did.

I use cages made from fencing wire--it's galvanized, so no rust, and the mesh is 4" x 4", so you can get your hand in to work the plants. I think it's pretty widely available, certainly in farm and feed-type stores.

Worth1 · November 10, 2007

I have sprawled and was picked up by the police.
No just kidding I sprawl every year to some extent and don't have any worries.

bryanccfshr · November 10, 2007

On our type of work schedule the best plans go to crap and the tomato plants go to ground. I invested in drip irrigation and an automatic controller already.

dice · November 11, 2007

"allows extra roots to form were the stem touch to ground"

That's one way to get already rooted cuttings, too.

**carolyn137** · November 11, 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by dice

"allows extra roots to form were the stem touch to ground"

That's one way to get already rooted cuttings, too.

Well yes, but you'd have to cut the main stem either side of the place where it rooted and I for one am not going to get arrested for plant abuse.

If I want rooted cuttings I take sucker cuttings from the plant and root them.

TomatoDon · November 11, 2007

Good morning Carolyn. Just saw your post. How is it in the AM in NY?

Cool and cloudy here.

Don

Do you have the real NAR seed? Dr. Lyle? How do you like Lyle?

November 8, 2007	#46
dice Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: PNW Posts: 4,743	(Sorry about the thread drift. If I think of something more to say about sprawling, I'll add it.) "Much like an oblisk in structure." That's what I was thinking. With the feet spread like the bottom of a ladder that narrows at the top, high winds coming from the side have to lift the whole thing up several inches before it will tip over sideways. If one is really paranoid about that (from experience), one could add these (reasonably priced) awning anchors with a cord or cable through them: http://www.pplmotorhomes.com/parts/r...ral-anchor.htm __________________ -- alias Last edited by dice; November 8, 2007 at 11:11 AM. Reason: typo

November 8, 2007	#47
bryanccfshr Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2007 Location: Farmington, Nm Posts: 450	Great conversation. I will post on the structure when I build it. As for Sprawling, it's on the agenda. __________________ I moved!

November 8, 2007	#48
TomatoDon Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: MS Posts: 1,521	However we drift, we always have fun! But on the ladder thing. I know it will work. But are you sure you aren't getting too elaborate on this? Morgan's cages will do the same, so will the CRW. Just make it taller. I'll assure you it is much easier. But...I try new things too. Sometimes that is the fun of it. D Don __________________ Zone 7B, N. MS

November 8, 2007	#49
bryanccfshr Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2007 Location: Farmington, Nm Posts: 450	Maybe a bit more effort but in the winter when nothing is growing it will satisfy my urge to work on a project while I am home for 2 weeks at a time. The end product should be nice and I am certain that Morgans wire fencing and CRW methods are just as good (maybe better) and perhaps simpler but I will actually get some pleasure from constructing these and painting them different colors. Like building beds and hauling in yards of gravel and soil with a wheel barrow I wouldn't go through all this effort if it wasn't for the fact that I actually enjoy the work. The tomatoes are just a perk. A great perk. __________________ I moved!

November 8, 2007	#50
TomatoDon Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: MS Posts: 1,521	Now you're talking! D __________________ Zone 7B, N. MS

November 9, 2007	#53
dice Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: PNW Posts: 4,743	"2,000 feet for $20.00" Now we're talking. Best I saw on a general survey of parachute cord was 300' for $15.00 with $4 shipping or 1000' for $50 (didn't check shipping cost). __________________ -- alias

November 10, 2007	#56
Worth1 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Den of Drunken Fools Posts: 38,539	I have sprawled and was picked up by the police. No just kidding I sprawl every year to some extent and don't have any worries.

November 11, 2007	#58
dice Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: PNW Posts: 4,743	"allows extra roots to form were the stem touch to ground" That's one way to get already rooted cuttings, too. __________________ -- alias