The Florida Weave

Several visions may pop in your mind when hearing the term “The Florida Weave.” One may think it is an intoxicated driver traveling down the road in Florida. Maybe you conjure up thoughts of a line dance from the past, where individuals pass back and forth intertwining with one another. You could consider that it is a special basket made in the Sunshine state. All of those are good guesses. However, the term actually refers to a simple way to support tomatoes, keeping them off the ground, while allowing them to grow to their full potential.

The technique was developed by Florida commercial growers because it is a fast, simple, and inexpensive method that helps tomatoes grow tall with good production, keeping them exposed to the beneficial Florida sun. While there are several ways to employ the weave, they all employ the same general method. I will describe the method we used, but this could be easily modified depending on your resources and location. We utilize 2ft by 8ft raised beds for our tomatoes.

1. Place three plants in the 2x8ft box, one in the middle and one on each end about one and a half foot from the ends.

 

2. Drive a seven-foot T-post centered on the inside wall of each end of the box about one to one and a half feet deep.

 

3. As the tomatoes grow, take twine (we use balers twine) and tie it about six inches up on one of the t-posts. Then pull twine to the right side of the stalk of the first tomato and to the left side of the second and to the right side of the third. Then wrap the twine around the other t-post and bring the twine back to the opposite side of each tomato and tie it at the same point that you started.

 4. As the tomatoes grow, continue with the same weaving process about every six inches up the t-posts.

Do your best to keep all the leaves off the ground and the plants standing tall. This keeps pests from climbing up the plant leaves. If the plants are indeterminate, they will continue to grow taller and taller until they finally reach the top of the t-posts around six feet. With this method, it is simple to observe and reach each angle of the plant, which allows you to easily pinch off the unproductive suckers that drain its resources. You can also detect diseases, bugs, or worms more readily, as the plants are at eye level, adding to productivity.

We have found this method more beneficial than cages, fences, or stakes, as we have enjoyed a fruitful harvest of luscious red ripe tomatoes from our garden throughout the summer.

~Mark