by 
The Curious Bag
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Tomatoes are one of the easiest and most popular vegetables to grow, but they do require a certain amount of maintenance. Without good support, a tomato plant often ends up hanging over and trailing on the ground.
Bushes and Vines
Did you end up with a tomato vine when you thought you were planting a tomato bush? A tomato bush is rounder and more full, while a tomato vine grows upward from a single stalk and requires much higher support.
Other Causes
Listless tomato plants might also be a sign of disease or over-watering. If you're growing your tomato plants in containers, check that the drainage holes aren't obstructed.
Tomato Cages
Metal tomato cages, which are inserted into the ground around a new plant, are a popular method for holding up tomato bushes. The cage provides support for the bush as it grows, keeping fruit-heavy branches upright.
Building a Trellis
Tomato vines can grow up to 6 or 7 feet tall, and usually require a trellis. You can construct one easily by driving 6-foot stakes into the ground in regularly spaced intervals, and then running heavy-gauge wire horizontally between the stakes.
Benefits of Tomato Support
By keeping your tomato plants properly supported, you'll be reducing your tomatoes' exposure to soil-borne diseases and garden pests.
Source:
The Great Tomato Book; Joan Nielsen; 1999
GardenDesk: How Do You Support Your Tomato Plants?
More Information:
VegetableGardener.com: A Freestanding Tomato Trellis Improves Yields and Keeps the Garden Neat
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