Tomato plants against fence?
nick.lao.kaimIRcAedr7
Posts: 8
in Fruit & veg
Hi all,
I'm a total novice, so feel free to point out any important info I've not provided.
I intend to plant out a few tomato plants in a south-south-east facing border which runs along a 6ft fence. It receives light for a good 8 hours a day. The fence is closeboard so doesn't have much airflow coming through it.
Question is, can I plant close to the fence and use it to support my plants as they grow (with vine eyes or similar)? I know that spacing plants apart is necessary to promote airflow, so on that reasoning I feel it wouldn't be a good idea, but I haven't been able to find any information on it and actually there are some sources that suggest it.
It's either that or stake them in away from the fence, but the border is quite narrow and the canes would only go up so high.
Any advice appreciated and thanks in advance.
Nick
I'm a total novice, so feel free to point out any important info I've not provided.
I intend to plant out a few tomato plants in a south-south-east facing border which runs along a 6ft fence. It receives light for a good 8 hours a day. The fence is closeboard so doesn't have much airflow coming through it.
Question is, can I plant close to the fence and use it to support my plants as they grow (with vine eyes or similar)? I know that spacing plants apart is necessary to promote airflow, so on that reasoning I feel it wouldn't be a good idea, but I haven't been able to find any information on it and actually there are some sources that suggest it.
It's either that or stake them in away from the fence, but the border is quite narrow and the canes would only go up so high.
Any advice appreciated and thanks in advance.
Nick
0
Posts
I'd not plant them against the fence for the reason you give above and because there will be a rain shadow close to the fence.
A stake of some kind would be better.
If your plants are getting too tall just snip the top off and that'll stop them getting much higher.
My neighbour used to only let her plants get to about 3-4ft.
Billericay - Essex
Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
Billericay - Essex
Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
Very sorry for the delay in replying, just wanted to say thank you for your time in giving some advice! I ended up doing something in between. I didn't plant close and tie them in to the fence this time, but as we have narrow borders I planted a short distance away (about 6 inches) from the fence and am intending to tie them into the canes I drove in alongside them. Hopefully that will reduce chance of rain shadow / improve air circulation etc.
Great photo Pete.8! That's a lot of salad material right there
Nick
Billericay - Essex
Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
Just in case anyone had the same question, I'm posting a tomato update. In short, they're doing quite well. From left to right, Tigerella, Roma, Tigerella, Outdoor Girl. The left-most Tiger was planted about a month after the other 3 so is not up to the same growing point. For the cordons I've only removed leaves from the bottom, just enough to safely avoid any splash from soil (I have another question related to pruning but will start a new thread for that). For the Roma, I've thinned it out a couple times thus far.
Thanks once again Pete.8 and JennyJ
Nick
Billericay - Essex
Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.