What is anyone's experience with storm damage to tomato plants? We had a moderately strong thunderstorm last night and about 1.5 inches of rain. There were some pretty strong gusts and EVERY one of my tomato cages blew down. I have cages built from concrete reinforcing wire with one edge trimmed (so that 6 inches of wire is in the ground). That's been enough up to now.

I don't think any of the main stems were broken in the fall or when I straightened the cages back up. I did hear some breaking as I moved everything. I know that some side stems were broken. Hopefully everything will recover. The good news is that there was enough rain so that there won't be dry-stress while they recover.

I also will be having fried green tomatoes, since about a dozen tomatoes were knocked off the vines in the storm.

David

It might set them back a bit but they should recover. I love fried green tomatoes The hail storms are what do terrible damage to my plants and fruit.

Just came back from the farm and no storm damage.

But critter damage. My tender young green beans are untouched (Plant Skyd used). 5 tomato plants were missing their protective milk jugs and eaten to the ground! Many other plants were selectively pruned . . top growth not touched, just lower branches nibbled off.

And it was the plants furthest away from the beans sprayed with the PS. Wonder how far the smell of that stuff travels.

Some of my tomato plants which I set out to harden were tampered with by vandals.
They knocked the tray over and broke several young plants. The tomato ring I found, down in another flower bed. I think that two plants can be salvaged. The problem is these were Kumato which I had trouble obtaining seeds in the first place.

How sad, Caroline. Just breaks your heart.

Well last week it was varmits. This week we had rain and wind and 3 of my plants here at the house got their foreheads chopped. They are looking ok, like they will be shocked into putting out even more branches in defense. It will be interesting to see how it plays out later in the summer. They are all cherry tomatoes so maybe they are a bit sturdier.