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Have a great invention to help with gardening? Are you the self-reliant type that prefers Building It Yourself vs. buying it? Share and discuss your ideas and projects with other members.

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Old June 5, 2007   #31
dice
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The turnbuckles and guy wires look like the key
component. Then the cement footings don't have
to be very big to keep the post upright despite
the tension on the nylon strings. Are the guy wires
attached to hurricane anchors or something like
that at ground level?
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Old June 8, 2007   #32
dcarch
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dice View Post
The turnbuckles and guy wires look like the key
component. Then the cement footings don't have to be very big to keep the post upright despite the tension on the nylon strings. Are the guy wires attached to hurricane anchors or something like that at ground level?
The turnbuckles and the st. stl cables take a great deal of stress becasue they have to support a lot of plants. So they have to be achored securely. I would make a one-bag cement footing to hold the cables.

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Old March 4, 2008   #33
harleysilo
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I think I will be going this route this year. I will probably use cheap-o string from a big box store that is used on construction sites. that way I can cut it etc. to remove it vs. having to deal with unraveling it from the mess of tomato plants I'm sure to have.
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Old March 4, 2008   #34
dice
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Note that jute string stretches quite a bit when it rains.
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Old March 4, 2008   #35
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Quote:
Originally Posted by harleysilo View Post
I think I will be going this route this year. I will probably use cheap-o string from a big box store that is used on construction sites. that way I can cut it etc. to remove it vs. having to deal with unraveling it from the mess of tomato plants I'm sure to have.
Try looking into eBay for:
Nylon twine, rope, string,

I got 2,200 feet (2.2 mm) braided ropes for $14.00.

It's very strong, doesn't stretch much, doesn't rot, interestingly doesn't tangle.

I have been using the same ropes for about 4 years now. No sign of deterioration.

One tip:
I roll each string into a ball to store away at the end of the season. Many of the strings are of different lengths, I just put each ball on a scale, and I can tell how long the string is.

dcarch
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Old March 4, 2008   #36
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Just use baling twine, if you get the right kind it is biodegradable cheap and you get 1000's of feet for around $35.00.
It also comes out of the spool real easy.
It will last all season and at the end of the year you can just cut it up and toss it or compost it, I toss it.
And it won’t cut your plants up.

You also don’t need to buy expensive turn buckles just make a loop in the wire or string from the top of the post to a spike in the ground.

Put a rod or strong length of wood inside the two strings or wire and turn it, the whole thing will tighten up.


Or look at the way they put corners in fences to get the idea.

Worth
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Old March 19, 2008   #37
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Alright, well this year I've finally decided I'm planting one long row of tomatoes. Last year (the first year as well) I planted a 9 plant grid, and it was a jungle in there.
I've changed the location in my yard as well, but will plant in this same spot year after year from now on most likely
Following the ingenious example in this thread I have a post at either end 4x4 PT that were in place last year, i just relocated them (they have bird houses atop, original purpose). Last night I banged into the ground some stainless steel cables that have a loop on one end and a duckbill locking "locking" mechanism on the other. You drive it into ground and then pull back about 6"s and the cable is set. I have about 10 of these left over from landscaping college days building timber walls, originally used when deadmen where to difficult to dig in....

Today I'm picking up some cable to connect the post to the buried cable's eyelet, with a turnbuckle most likely (unless someone has better suggest other than a stick as the cable I buy might be too thick for that....

I plan to attach to horizontal pieces of 4x4 to the existing posts creating a cross (double cross). To the 4 ends of the cross pieces I'll attach large eye bolts and then string thin cable between the 2 post (total or 4 runs). I figure the cables will all be permanent. I can tie up the tomatoes with balling string where needed.

The reason I'm thinking 4 runs of cable is a good idea is that the run is about 60feet. I forgot to measure last night. I figure I can have 12 indeterminates planted there, and that they will be really heavy and just balling string at that distance won't support them.

Thoughts? Last year jungle.... here is a pic of the location pre-post move. The fence runs exactly east west, it was after 5 pm in this pic......I moved the post exactly one more panel width......
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Old March 19, 2008   #38
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Dcarch -

Have you planted in your outdoor, removable, protective, greenhouse device?

~ Tom
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Old March 19, 2008   #39
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tomstrees View Post
Dcarch -

Have you planted in your outdoor, removable, protective, greenhouse device?

~ Tom
Tom,

I didn't bring it up because I don't want to upset you. You see, I am kind-hearted.

I have 12" seedlings going in ground this weekend in the removable greenhouse.
Stupice and a few others have little buds on them already!

How are things going with you?

dcarch


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Old March 19, 2008   #40
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lol ~ don't know why I'd be upset, lol ! Thats great news !
I don't think you're bragging or anything > I just sowed seeds this past weekend - We're just getting started !

~ Tom
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Old May 7, 2009   #41
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Do you have pictures of the removable greenhouse?
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Old May 7, 2009   #42
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Quote:
Originally Posted by recruiterg View Post
Do you have pictures of the removable greenhouse?
Sure:
http://www.tomatoville.com/showthrea...ight=removable

dcarch
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Old June 28, 2009   #43
recruiterg
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Default Inspired by dcarch...built by Patrick

dcarch,

I liked your overall design, but made a few modifications of my own.

Thanks fo the inspiration.


Pat
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Old August 30, 2009   #44
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Newish here at Tomatoville, and trying to figure out support for garden things and saw your system. I am wondering where does one buy unistrut posts? Also, is this sturdy enough to just drape plastic sheeting over the ropes to form a greenhouse for the plants for early in the season.

I do a variety of plantings in 4 raised beds, and plan to use a strict 4 year rotation of crops. I see some people here rotate the soil, but that just seems wrong! LOL

I was getting ready, with much trepidation, to make tomato cages, but this system is much less cumbersome, gives superior height advantage etc. I don't know about putting cement footings in for the unistruts and cable guides for all four beds.

Thinking more on this support method, could one use those precast concrete post support pyramids for the pole base instead of pouring concrete inground? I am thinking one could cut a 4x4 block of cedar to fit the center securely, and rout out a receptacle for the unistrut pole.

And then, what do I use to support cucumbers, melons, beans, etc.?

Last edited by ovenbird; August 31, 2009 at 09:09 PM.
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Old September 4, 2009   #45
dcarch
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ovenbird View Post
Newish here at Tomatoville, and trying to figure out support for garden things and saw your system. I am wondering where does one buy unistrut posts? Also, is this sturdy enough to just drape plastic sheeting over the ropes to form a greenhouse for the plants for early in the season. -------------And then, what do I use to support cucumbers, melons, beans, etc.?
  • I bought my posts in Home Depot.
  • Yes, the posts are very strong.
  • Here is the interesting difference. The posts need not to be buried deep at all. 4” is more than enough. All the stability is in the cable bracing /turnbuckles. Actually I use concrete for the footings. Cheaper than cement. One bag (40 lbs. 80 lbs if you have very soft ground). Another trick: No need to mix the concrete. That would be too much work. Just pour the dry concrete into the hole and add water. The posts are not set into the concrete. They are sleeved into the concrete so that you can easily pull them out or re-install them. You do need footings also to anchor the turnbuckles. They take all the wind force.
For beans, cubes, etc. Just use a short stake so the seedlings can reach the support system, they will do the rest growing

I hope I have answered your questions.

dcarch
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