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University of Illinois Extension Serving DeWitt, Macon, & Piatt Counties

DeWitt County Office 8425 Katie Road Clinton, IL 61727 217.935.5764 Macon County Office 3351 N. President H. Brown Blvd. Decatur, IL 62521 217.877.6042 Piatt County Office 210 South Market Street Monticello, IL 61856 217.762.2191 Find us on the web: web.extension.illinois.edu/dmp/ Richard Zerfowski and Sandy Shriver

Macon County Master Gardeners

DIY Tomato Cages

A Great Do It Yourself Project from University of Illinois Extension

University of Illinois * U.S. Department of Agriculture * Local Extension Councils Cooperating

University of Illinois Extension provides equal opportunities in programs and employment.

If you need reasonable accommodation to participate, call 217.877.6042.

With the stainless steel tube, or pliers, bend the wire end until it forms a

circle around the other cage wire (4a.). Connect the two ends by

wrapping one end around the other to create a cylinder (4b.). #4

The Macon County Master Gardeners use a

special tool that is a piece of stainless steel

tubing to bend the wire. This tool fits over the

wire and gives leverage to bend the wire end.

This works better than pliers, although pliers

may be used if you do not have access to this

tool.

#3

4a.

4b.

Your completed tomato cage should look similar to

this. To prevent the cage from falling over, drive

stakes into the ground and attach cage to them.

Wooden stakes, steel stakes, or concrete re-bar can be

used to anchor the cage. The cage can be attached to

the stakes with cable ties, heavy string, or bailing wire.

#5

5.

3.

Once the wire is cut, start in the middle and

fold into a circle. Starting in the middle and

working towards the end makes the wire

easier to keep centered.

With the concrete reinforcement wire anchored with either a block or

another person, count ten squares and cut down the middle of the

eleventh square. Please be careful as wire could snap back and cause an

injury if not properly anchored before cutting. #1

Preparing for the project >>>

Concrete reinforcement wire is common-

ly available at home improvement stores.

A standard size for concrete reinforce-

ment wire is 5 feet tall and 150 feet long.

Double-check the dimensions when

purchasing as there can be variations,

especially in the roll length.

Cost is about $90.00 per 150 foot roll of

wire.

Bolt cutters are one tool that can be

used to cut the wire.

Heavy duty pliers with built-in wire

cutters or metal snips could also be

used.

Cut in the center to bend the cut

edge to hold the cage together.

About twenty seven tomato cages

can be made from each roll of wire.

Safety Tips Wear work gloves, closed-toe shoes and eye protection when working with

concrete reinforcement wire. Cut ends of wire are sharp.

Be aware of the wire’s tendency to re-roll after being cut— work with a

partner and have them stand on the wire as it is unrolled an cut, or weigh

the wire down with concrete blocks or some similar heavyweight items. If

the wire snaps back on you while cutting you may be injured.

1. 1.

2.

Materials & Tools

The supplies needed for each tomato cage are as follows:

1 roll of concrete reinforcement wire

Bolt cutters or heavy duty pliers with built-in wire cutters

Concrete blocks or something of equal weight

Concrete re-bar, wooden stakes or steel stakes

Cable ties, heavy string or bailing wire

Optional:

Stainless steel tubing 3/16” I.D. x 1/4” O.D. and 6” long

#2

Step-by-Step Instructions