Hey, fellow gardeners! Over the years I’ve tried growing tomatoes in a lot of different ways, and I have to say that using an arch trellis has made a huge difference in my garden. Today I’m going to tell you everything I know about how to get the most tomatoes from this cool vertical growing method.
Why Choose an Arch Trellis for Tomatoes?
Before we dive into the how-to, let me tell you why this setup is so amazing:
- Creates a stunning garden focal point (seriously, it’s like having your own green archway!)
- Maximizes growing space by going vertical
- Makes harvesting super easy – no more bending and stretching
- Provides better air circulation, reducing disease problems
- Keeps fruits off the ground, preventing rot
- Can support multiple plants on each side
What You’ll Need to Get Started
Here’s your shopping list:
-
Sturdy Metal Arch Trellis
- Must be at least 67 inches tall
- Width around 88 inches
- Strong enough to support fully grown plants
- Powder-coated steel recommended
-
Raised Beds
- Minimum 18 inches deep
- At least 2 feet wide
- Two beds recommended (one for each side)
-
Quality Soil Mix
- Sandy loam soil
- Mix of topsoil, compost, and coarse sand
- Well-draining is crucial
-
Tomato Plants
- Indeterminate varieties only!
- 2-4 plants per arch
- My fave varieties: Black Cherry, Sungolds, Juliets
-
Support Materials
- Jute twine
- Clean pruning shears
- Organic fertilizer/compost
Step-by-Step Growing Guide
1. Setting Up Your Trellis
First things first – ya gotta install that trellis right! Here’s what I do:
- Dig holes 12 inches deep where trellis legs will go
- Place trellis and ensure it’s level
- Backfill with soil, tamping down firmly
- If using two beds, make sure trellis spans between them evenly
2. Planting Your Tomatoes
Time to get those plants in the ground! Follow these steps:
- Wait until after last frost date
- Plant 2 tomatoes per side of arch (4 total)
- Dig deep holes – bury up to first set of leaves
- Space plants about 12-15 inches apart
- Plant right next to trellis supports
3. Training and Maintenance
This is where the magic happens! Here’s my weekly maintenance routine:
Pruning
- Remove damaged/yellowing leaves
- Focus on one main stem per plant
- Keep suckers (they’re actually good for production!)
- Never remove more than 1/3 of plant at once
Supporting Growth
- Tie vines to trellis weekly using jute twine
- Make loose bow ties – not tight knots
- Spread vines evenly across trellis
- Add supports as plants grow taller
Feeding
- Water deeply once a week
- Add compost or organic fertilizer weekly
- Top dress with worm castings monthly
Common Challenges and Solutions
Even experienced gardeners face some hiccups. Here’s how to handle common issues:
| Challenge | Solution |
|---|---|
| Weak trellis | Use metal, not DIY options |
| Uneven growth | Rotate plants for better sun exposure |
| Heavy fruit load | Add extra twine supports |
| Disease issues | Improve air circulation, prune regularly |
End of Season Care
As the growing season winds down:
- Top off vines 30 days before first frost
- Harvest remaining green tomatoes
- Remove vines but leave roots in soil
- Clean and store trellis for next year
Pro Tips from My Garden
After lots of trial and error, here’s what I’ve learned:
- Same variety on both sides grows more evenly
- Morning sun exposure works best
- Leave more foliage at top for better shade
- Don’t worry about perfect symmetry – plants gonna plant!
Time to Get Growing!
At first, it might look hard to grow tomatoes on an arch trellis, but trust me, once you get the hang of it, you won’t want to use regular stakes or cages again. The extra work is well worth it when you get a beautiful structure and a lot of food.
Remember, gardening is all about learning and adjusting. Don’t stress if everything isn’t perfect the first time around. Just keep working at it, and soon you’ll have your own beautiful tomato arch full of tasty fruits!
Got questions about growing tomatoes on your arch trellis? Drop ’em in the comments below – I love helping fellow gardeners succeed!
Happy growing!
Note: This guide is based on the growing season of 2025 and my own experience running several kitchen gardens.
Benefits of an Arched Tomato Trellis
Many gardeners are aware growing tomatoes directly on the ground exposes the fruit to damp soil, animals, and insects. Not only are the tomatoes dirtier, but they are often damaged by hungry critters. Also, it’s easy to miss ripe tomatoes that are hidden by plants or, even worse, step on them as you move around the garden.
Staking or caging tomatoes reduces these problems, but growing tomatoes on an arch has greater benefits. A tomato archway is pretty much how it sounds. Its a curved, tunnel-like structure, anchored on both sides with sufficient height under which one can walk. The height of an arched tomato trellis allows the vines to grow up the side and overhead. Here are a few reasons why this is beneficial:
- It is easier to harvest because you don’t have to bend, twist, or kneel to pick tomatoes. The fruit is highly visible and within reach.
- Better yields—Less fruit is lost because of disease or damage.
- Makes the most of space—removing suckers lets vines grow closer together.
- Better air flow means that tomato plants are healthier and fruit is less likely to get sick.
- More sunlight—As the tomato grows up the trellis, it gets more sun, which is helpful in gardens that don’t get much shade.
Cattle Panel Trellis – what we like (and don’t like) about ours
0