Plant Supports

saiwha

Seeing as its nearly time to get the plants in the ground I was hoping for some advice on what to use as a support for my plants. Last year I used bamboo and forever felt that I was having to do something with them and once the storm in July hit a lot of them just snapped.

So after doing some digging I've come up with 2 possible options, first is to use rebar but at about £5 a bar it seems a bit overkill even if they would last a lifetime. The other option would be to use what i think the Americans call a furring strip, so just a solid bit of timber after looking at my local timber merchants list of supplies I am confused as to what type i require and what size would be the best.

amancalledgeorge

I've got a mixed pack from Plant Supports for my border a couple of months back and they are great...if it helps here's their website: 
https://www.plantsupports.co.uk/

Ladybird4

Hello saiwha. Are you talking about freestanding supports or those fixed to a wall? I cannot really picture a solid piece of wood as a plant support.  

purplerallim

I dont know where you are,  in England?  but wilco's last year had a green plastic covered metal tee pee that was quite cheep it could be taken apart and each length I used separately to hold up such things as irises where a bamboo cane would be an eyesore. Not sure if they have it this year as I haven't looked but it's worth a try.

saiwha

Ladybird4 said:

Hello saiwha. Are you talking about freestanding supports or those fixed to a wall? I cannot really picture a solid piece of wood as a plant support.  

Yes, freestanding shoved into the ground, so instead of a bamboo cane a piece of wood. I saw it on a youtube video, I'll see if i can find it in my history.

The timber yard sell 19mm x 38mm for 30p per meter or 25mm x 50mm for 50p per meter. It's treated though so I don't think its suitable for soil?It gets quite windy here so was just thinking that something solid without any weak spots like there is in bamboo i could just stake it and just look after the plant rather than the stake as well.

Nollie

I’ve tried bamboo and artistic-looking hazel twigs but also found I was forever fiddling so also bought the mixed pack of hooped metal ones from plantsupports plus some additional large sizes  and I’m glad I did, much better. Some make their own from 6mm lengths and bend them, rebar sounds a bit ott... but it does depend on what you are trying to support.

Obelixx

Just go for the metal rods and bend them to fit your borders and size f plant.  They don't rot, are easy to install and take out, are practically invisible and will last forever so never need replacing or clearing away like broken and rotted bits of timber would.  No splinters either.

Lizzie27

I use the rusted metal half hoops and stakes plus black coated obelisks where necessary. As Obelixx says, once you've bought them they last for ages. I leave mine in over the winter so I know where my perennials are when planting bulbs.