Grow Well. Eat Well

Tomato Trials Part 5: Conquering the Cattle Panel Trellis

—

by

Erin
in

I’ll admit it—I felt silly waiting so long to set up my cattle panel trellis. Post-surgery, I doubted I could tackle it alone, especially pounding T-posts into the ground. As an overthinking “good idea fairy,” I scoured the internet for inspiration from gardeners who’d already nailed this.

The Backstory: From Kitchen Garden to Raised Bed

My first cattle panel trellis adventure was in my Washington kitchen garden, where my son helped me set one up for squash and beans in containers. I was inspired by a May 2017 YouTube video from MIgardener (watch here), which introduced me to the versatility of cattle panels.

Fast forward to now, I’m in a new garden with a raised bed, determined to grow tomatoes vertically without containers. My soil? Heavy clay. For a year, I’ve been mulching and covering the area to improve it, but surgeries delayed my progress. Finally, I was ready to take on the trellis.

Setting Up the Cattle Panel Trellis

Here’s how I built my trellis, step by step:

  1. Prepping the Raised Bed: I dug up the area, mixed in compost, and raised the bed 4-6 inches to improve drainage in my clay soil. Tomatoes thrive in well-drained, loamy soil with a pH of 6.2-6.8, so amending clay with organic matter is key.
  2. Gathering Materials: I headed to my local feed store and picked up a 50” x 16’ cattle panel and four 5’ T-posts. Cattle panels are sturdy, long-lasting, and perfect for supporting heavy vines.
  3. Positioning the Trellis: I laid the panel across the raised bed to mark where the T-posts would go. Counting eight rectangles down the panel for width, I tilted it into an arch shape for stability and aesthetics. With help (because post-pounding post-surgery wasn’t happening), we drove two T-posts into the ground on each side, securing the panel. There’s no strict rule for post spacing—aim for stability based on your bed size.
  4. Planting Plan: On one side, I planted determinate Roma tomatoes, ideal for canning due to their compact growth and concentrated fruit set. On the other, I chose indeterminate Cherokee Purple tomatoes, which vine vigorously and need robust support. I also plan to grow pole beans, melons, and winter squash on the trellis, maximizing space.
  5. Deep Planting for Strong Roots: I dug deep holes for my tomatoes, burying them up to the first set of leaves to encourage a strong root system. This technique, especially effective for tomatoes, helps them handle the weight of fruit-laden vines (watch a deep planting tutorial here).
  6. Mulching for Moisture and Weed Control: To combat clay soil’s poor drainage and retain moisture, I mulched with organic matter like straw. Mulch also prevents soil-borne diseases by reducing splash-up onto leaves.
  7. Rabbit Protection: Rabbits love nibbling young tomato plants, so I plan to install a wire fence around the bed. A simple chicken wire or hardware cloth barrier, buried a few inches underground, should keep them at bay.
arched cattle panel trellis
This is basically how I figured out how to set up my cattle panel trellis

Tomato Trellising Techniques: The String Methods

For my determinate Roma tomatoes, I want to use the Florida Weave method. Weaving twine between plants and T-posts in a figure-8 pattern. For Cherokee Purple, I’ll use vertical methods such as string trellising as seen here. I will also Grow them vertically up the arched garden trellis with a similar method as Growfully with Jenna. This keeps vines off the ground, improves airflow, and reduces disease risk like blight and pests.

BUT I think my plants are too big for the tomato weave method! So I will most likely use this string method under my DIY Garden Trellis.

Watering and Care Tips

Tomatoes need consistent moisture, especially during flowering and fruiting. Water deeply every 5-7 days, aiming for 1-2 inches weekly, and avoid wetting foliage to prevent fungal issues. In clay soil, raised beds and mulch ensure good drainage. I use a soaker hose under the mulch for efficient watering.

Planting Tomatoes in Kentucky: When is It too late to plant tomatoes?

I was nervous about planting tomatoes on June 6, 2025, fearing it might be too late in Kentucky’s growing season. But research from the Franklin County Extension Office gave me confidence (Franklin County Extension). In Central Kentucky (Zone 6a), the last safe planting date for tomatoes is June 15 to July 1. Planting in early June is fine, especially for varieties with 50-55 days to maturity, though late plantings may need frost protection in fall. Succession planting—staggering plantings every 2-4 weeks—ensures a longer harvest. For example, plantings on April 30, May 30, and June 30 can extend your tomato season (Franklin County Extension).

Tips for Kentucky Tomato Planting:

  • Timing: Start seeds indoors in February for May transplants, or plant seedlings by early June. Late plantings (June 30-July 30) work with fast-maturing varieties.
  • Soil Prep: Kentucky’s clay soil compacts easily, so add compost or perlite to improve drainage and avoid disease (UK Entomology).
  • Fertilization: Use balanced fertilizer (low nitrogen) at planting and when fruits form. Compost is ideal for natural fertility (UK Cooperative Extension).
  • Pests: Watch for tomato hornworms, large green caterpillars that devour foliage. Hand-pick them or use organic controls like Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) (UK Cooperative Extension). Planting basil or dill nearby may deter hornworms.

Homesteading Income Opportunity:
While I’m not growing tomatoes for profit, many Kentucky homesteaders in my groups discuss selling surplus at farmers’ markets.

The UK Cooperative Extension offers resources on commercial tomato production, including variety selection and pest management (UK Cooperative Extension).

Combating Tomato Hornworms in Kentucky

Tomato hornworms are a menace, stripping leaves and fruit overnight. These pests are common in Kentucky gardens (UK Cooperative Extension). Check plants daily, especially in June and July, and hand-pick hornworms (look for their telltale droppings). Organic controls like Bt or companion planting with basil can help. I’ll plant sweet basil near my tomatoes for both pest deterrence and culinary use.

Tomato hornworm green caterpillar on a Cherokee Purple tomato plant in a Kentucky raised bed garden, near a cattle panel tomato trellis, highlighting organic gardening pest control.
Yikes, caught this tomato hornworm red-handed (or should I say green-caterpillared?) on my Cherokee Purple! 🌱 Part of the Bloom & Peck adventure—hand-picking these pests is my go-to, but I’m eyeing that Bt spray from Epic Gardening. Check my blog for organic tips to save your tomatoes! #TomatoPlantSupportIdeas #GreenCaterpillarOnTomatoPlant #KentuckyHomesteading

Homesteading and Self-Sustainability

This trellis project supports my homesteading goals of self-sustainability. Growing Roma and Cherokee Purple tomatoes, plus pole beans and squash, maximizes my small garden’s output. Canning Roma tomatoes into sauces ensures year-round homegrown food. The cattle panel trellis, a one-time investment, supports multiple crops and seasons, making it cost-effective for a hobby farm.

Overcoming Doubts and Moving Forward

I hesitated to build this trellis, thinking I couldn’t manage alone post-surgery. With planning, research, and a little help with T-posts, I did it. If I can, you can too! Start small, use sturdy materials, and adapt ideas from other gardeners. My trellis isn’t perfect, but it’s functional, and I’m excited to see my tomatoes climb.

References: