How to Build a Tomato Teepee

In 1893 the United States Supreme Court declared the tomato a vegetable.

Tomatoes are the most popular garden vegetable in the United States. Determinate and indeterminate tomato plants require staking to prevent leaf and fruit damage as the tomato plants grow. Tomato teepees are an excellent way to stake tomatoes to provide a support system until tomatoes are ready for harvest. Bamboo poles are ideal as the support stakes of your teepee as they are sturdy, lightweight and easily found at most garden supply stores. Teepees can be constructed with either 3 or 4 bamboo poles. Building a tomato teepee with bamboo poles is an easy project for the home gardener to ensure a healthy tomato harvest.

Things You'll Need

• Bamboo poles, 6 feet long
• Extra bamboo poles for crossbars
• Twine
• Rubber bands

Instructions

1. Place 3 or 4 bamboo poles around a tomato plant. Space the poles approximately 2 feet apart.

2. Sink the bamboo poles into the dirt approximately 9 inches deep.

3. Gather the tops of the bamboo poles together.

4. Secure the tops of the bamboo poles with a rubber band.

5. Reinforce with twine by using a figure-8 pattern to tie the poles together.

6. Measure the distance between each vertical bamboo pole. Cut additional bamboo poles to equal that distance. These will be your crossbars.

7. Attach bamboo crossbars horizontally between each vertical bamboo pole. Twine can be used to attach the poles together. Crossbars should be added every 2 to 3 feet as the tomato plant grows.

Tips & Warnings

• Teepees can also be used for tomatoes planted in a container. Determinate or patio tomato plants are an excellent choice for containers.

References

• Master Gardeners Santa Clara County; Tomato Staking Techniques Evaluation; Sue Evanicky, et al.
• University of Illinois Extension: Pruning and Staking Tomatoes
• Arizona Master Gardener Manual; Tomatoes; 1998

Resources

• Michigan State University Extension: Tomatoes Tipsheet