I first used this successfully last year. I'd tried it before, but didn't understand how to do the criss-cross at each stem, so my plants flopped anyway. Last year, with Rita's help, I finally got it right and had a fantastic tomato year!

Great article, Rita!

Do you wrap the twine tightly around the poles in the middle of the row, or tie it to them, for extra "lift" in the middle of the row?

Some of the photos looked like there was a whole loop of twine around center posts, and other photos looked like the twine just criss-crossed the center posts the same way they criss-crossed the plants.

P.S. The photos are great.

Excellent, Rita! It could also be used on tall dahlias.

If you need support then wrap around, if not just criss cross. But if you just criss cross then there is no point in the extra poles being there. The more tomato plants you weave before getting to go around a pole for tightness, the stronger you need to be to pull those plants upright. I am not very strong so like to put my poles each 2 plants. I see on commercial operations in Florida they have lots of plants, like 9 or so between poles. But those guys are a lot stronger than me to pull those weaves tight.

There is no right or wrong number of plants between poles. Do whatever works for you.

Rick, you have sharp eyes when you said some look looped and some looked just criss crossed. Because that is exactly true. I did whichever worked best for me each time.

Chelle, thanks. Glad you got you plants weaved. I think this is a great method for everyone to know about.

pirl said:Excellent, Rita! It could also be used on tall dahlias.

Oh yes, it doesn't have to be tomatoes. Tomatoes, Peppers, Dahlias, Eggplant and lots of other things I am sure.

If I had enough plants and space to use poles and twine, I think mine would look like drunken spiders weaving webs.

I couldn't leave well enough alone and would keep going back and adding diagonals.

Oh Rick! Don't overthink this. It is simple to do and it works.

I think that "simple" and I are like the Boston Red Sox used to be about victory. It was said that they could snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.

When I see something that's working fine, I feel as if it's a challenge - surely there are OTHER ways it COULD be done ...

Somehow "practicality" seems to have been left out of my genetic makeup.

Rita - what kind of poles do you use? Great idea!

I use those green plastic coated metal U-Channel Fence posts that one can buy at Home Depot or Lowes around here.

Thanks - I'll go look for some. I have used regular fence posts in the past, but since I am going to be doing this in the front yard, I need something a little "nicer" looking and I like the dark green posts that you used.

Love this idea. Thanks for posting it

You can get them from 3 feet high to seven feet high. For the tomatoes, I have been using 6 foot tall ones. Part of it goes inground so it doesn't end up 6 feet.

RickCorey said:If I had enough plants and space to use poles and twine, I think mine would look like drunken spiders weaving webs.

I couldn't leave well enough alone and would keep going back and adding diagonals.

Excellent Rita!

for all the informative pics and descriptions!

Yes, very excellent idea Rita

Thank you everyone. I didn't invent Florida Weave. I just wanted to get it out there so that more home gardeners would know about it.

Nice and simple idea which I may adapt this time in combination with my tomato ladder [7' high and having horizontal bars spaced 14" apart] The ladders are to be six in number and plan to use the A method or the L arrangement and tie ropes across to keep the plants upright. The width of the ladder is about 10 inches. My garden is very small. Instead of the poles and ropes, I may use horizontal rods or ropes - there will be may options coming May end when I'm going to start the season just when summer ends. It has started. for the article.