I found the perfect support cages for the earthbox

[bdank]

To make these cages, I used a pea fence that I bought from Gurneys. The pea fences come in two pieces. I used both pieces to make a 60 inch (5 ft) cage.







To attach them to my earthbox I used 4 of the EarthBox Staking System Rim Clamps that can be bought in the earthbox store.

The bolts that came with the staking system clamp weren't long enough for this purpose, so I bought some longer stainless steel (to avoid rusting) 10/24 x 2 bolts to replace them with. The nuts that came with the clamps are still usable.




When the pea fences aren't attached together (as shown above) they are 30 inches. These shorter cages are good for crops that don't grow as tall.

To attach the two pea fences together I used 20 wire rope clips that I bought from Pambina. Where I got 100 of them for $11.00 ($15 with shipping). They are much cheaper to buy here than at the big box stores.




The pea fences are clamped together at the legs with the wire rope clips.

A cheaper version of this cage could probably be made by using cow panel instead of the Gurney's pea fences. I decided to go with the pea fences because they are heavy gage wire that is strong enough not to to bend under the weight of loaded tomatoes vines, and they fold flat for storage.

To make one 60” cage:
1 set of 2 Gurney’s pea fences
4 EarthBox Staking System Rim Clamps.
4 10/24 x 2 inch stainless steel bolts (the nuts that you need will come with the staking system clamp but the bolts that come with it are too short for this).
20 wire rope clips

If you get on the mailing list to receive a Gurney's Catalog they will often send you are coupon good for $25 off a $50.00 purchase.



THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT: Tomato plants will grow very tall and heavy with fruit in an earthbox. For any plants that grow taller than waist high, you must find away to secure the entire box so that it will not topple over (it has happened to me). I secure mine, as shown in the photo above, by pounding rebar into the ground through the hole in the staking clamp. If your earthboxes are on pavement, you could secure them by placing a cinder block on each side of the box.

The original idea for these cages came from Raybo's post on tomatoville.

[Flapam]

Impressive set up.  i cant wait to see how this works with the mature plants.  Looks like a winner.

[grb1]

To make these cages, I used a pea fence that I bought from Gurneys. The fences come in two pieces. I stacked them and zip tied them together so that they will be tall enough for tomatoes.

http://gurneys.com/pea-fence/p/12826/

To attach them to my earthbox I used 4 of the EarthBox Staking System Rim Clamps that can be bought in the earthbox store.

http://store.earthbox.com/EarthBox-Staking-System-Rim-Clamp-Green-Set-of-2/productinfo/1010115/

bdank,

Just curious

How would you stabilize those cages for your tomatoes? You grow big tomato plants. 

[tag]

Nice idea. Looks like it should work well. One caution, you still must support the top of the cage to prevent the wind from tipping over your eb.

[grb1]

Sweet! Sounds like that just might work. I'll be looking forward to your updates.

[writeone]

looks good. I use a similar setup with a square cage that fits in the EB. I've been wondering what to do as the tom grow taller than the cage. Your idea made me think of stacking two cages on top of each other.
http://www.tractorsupply.com/lawn-garden/lawn-tools-garden-tools/plant-cages-plant-supports/southwestern-wire-tomato-cage-support-square-42-in--4452241
It's more stable than the circular ones that narrow at the bottom.

Here's another idea of how to use it with something other than tomates:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3377/3472177048_bf6ac94587.jpg

[acanfield]

Very neat.  Amazing that the hinges fit the EB corners perfectly.

[bdank]

looks good. I use a similar setup with a square cage that fits in the EB. I've been wondering what to do as the tom grow taller than the cage. Your idea made me think of stacking two cages on top of each other.
http://www.tractorsupply.com/lawn-garden/lawn-tools-garden-tools/plant-cages-plant-supports/southwestern-wire-tomato-cage-support-square-42-in--4452241
It's more stable than the circular ones that narrow at the bottom.

Here's another idea of how to use it with something other than tomates:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3377/3472177048_bf6ac94587.jpg

Those are much cheaper than my pea fences. How heavy are they, will they last? I wanted mine tightly secured to the EB and I found that the clamps, which are really for the EB trellis system, work like a charm. I have a bunch of the circular ones. I used them for the past two seasons. They are okay, but I had to do a lot of tying the branches up. I think these square ones will hold more branches in better.

[bdank]

Very neat.  Amazing that the hinges fit the EB corners perfectly.

I know, it's almost like these cages were made just for the EB.

[writeone]

Those are much cheaper than my pea fences. How heavy are they, will they last?

They are metal and seem Strong enough for the purpose. They fit exactly to the inside of the EB and the prongs go all the way to the bottom, so they wouldn't pop out since the fit is snug. The key is stabilizing the box. Mine is no problem bc it's next to a wooden beam on my porch so I can secure it to that.

I'm thinking it would be awesome to have a horizontal trellis / grid for the tomatoes to spread out like it would on the ground but without the pit falls of touching the ground. It'd be easier to pick tomatoes that way too. I did see a photo of the huge tom plant recently posted here in relationship to a question about bottom leafs dying. that had a similar idea but higher as it formed a canopy above ones head.

Now that I think about the pic, it has to be high to have easy access to the toms. Only problem is it would take up too much room. Does anyone know what type of pot the plant is in?

Sorry I couldn't find the post with that pic.

[deep]

Bdank,
That is the coolest looking tomato cage that I have seen for EarthBoxes.  Well done!!!

[movrshakr]

Bdank,
That is the coolest looking tomato cage that I have seen for EarthBoxes.  Well done!!!

Idea: slip some 8-10 ft PVC over the rebar and zip tie it to the cage near the top for lateral tip over denial...maybe with a second rebar+PVC lateral to that one or on the other side of box.

What you have created is very nice indeed.

You might want to put a link to it over in trellis design gallery
http://forum.earthbox.com/index.php?topic=7378.msg63701#msg63701

[desertchick]

Hi bdank,

I really love this idea too.

Do the pea fences have a hinge or joint every 12 inches? You did not have to bend it with any pliers to get it to fit into the box?

And you needed 2 fences per box for a tall tomato plant, or one set (of 2), correct?

[bdank]

Hi bdank,

I really love this idea too.

Do the pea fences have a hinge or joint every 12 inches? You did not have to bend it with any pliers to get it to fit into the box?

And you needed 2 fences per box for a tall tomato plant, or one set (of 2), correct?

The pea fences are bendable. When you get them they come flat. They also fold back to flat for storage. You shouldn't have to do any bending of your own. They come in sets of two. I used both of them for one earthbox. I used wire rope clips to fasten them together.

[bdank]

Bdank,
That is the coolest looking tomato cage that I have seen for EarthBoxes.  Well done!!!

Idea: slip some 8-10 ft PVC over the rebar and zip tie it to the cage near the top for lateral tip over denial...maybe with a second rebar+PVC lateral to that one or on the other side of box.

What you have created is very nice indeed.

You might want to put a link to it over in trellis design gallery
http://forum.earthbox.com/index.php?topic=7378.msg63701#msg63701

I don't feel like this is going to need lateral support. These pea fences are made of heavy gage wire. I really don't think tomato plants are heavy enough to bend them. I grow indeterminate types, so I will report back at the end of the season about how they held up. I do know that Raybo over on the tomatoville forum is growing indeterminate in these cages without any top support.