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June 30, 2016 in Easy Garden DIY

Easy DIY tomato, cucumber & squash PVC pipe cage

This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of my links, I'll make a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your support!
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Tom and I just got wood fired pizza where the menu stated…”good food takes a long time so be patient.”

Good blog posts work much the same way. Time and lots of it to create quality work.

The time Tom spent researching alone to make garden PVC cages!

But these tomato cages are worth the wait. Promise.

Tom made these tomato cages for our garden to replace some of our old cages and what a difference they make in our garden.

They can be left in the garden all year long so storage will never be an issue.

And you know how it is with those flimsy wire tomato cages. They last one season, maybe two and then you toss them in the garbage.

The cycle of buying, tossing and re-buying the following year was getting pricey and annoying.

Now we have stable trellises that will last a lifetime and surprisingly look sharp, too.

Use these on your tomatoes, eggplant, squash, peppers, cucumbers and even beans and peas.

Best of all, you’ll be shocked at how easy they are to make.

Why make your own PVC cages?

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After just one year, this is typically what happens with those cheap and flimsy wire cages.

Make your own PVC cages and be set for life! After all, your big, vibrant plants deserve some good support.

Don’t we all!

Supplies needed to make one 50″ heavy duty PVC tomato cage

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Sharpie to mark PVC pipe, yardstick, and PVC cutter
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work gloves while cementing
*A note on the PVC cement. The cement is used to permanently hold all the fittings as shown below to the pipe.

If you choose to cement the whole tower it will be a stronger structure.

Or, you may just want to cement the bottom portion of the cage which will allow more versatility to adjust the height or disassemble at the end of the season.

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20 1/2″ elbows for each 50″ cage
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4 1/2″ tee’s for each cage
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16 1/2″ crosses for each 50″ cage

20″ wide (40″ and 50″ heavy duty tomato cage)

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48- 10″ pieces for the 40″ cage 60-10″ pieces for the 50″ cage

50″ high and 14″ wide heavy duty tomato cage

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40 7″ horizontal pieces & 20 10″ vertical pieces
You can customize these cages to meet your growing needs.

Tom optimistically thinks he can get our tomato plants to grow 5-6 feet which is why he built several 50 inch towers. 

I am not so optimistic so I wanted a few tomato towers to be a bit shorter.

Plus, these ones work quite well for your peppers, eggplant, squash and cucumbers.

You just don’t need quite the height.

Remember this post on growing the biggest and best tomatoes?

Quick refresher: Tom planted four tomato plants around a buried water tube.

He needed an extra-wide cage to accommodate four tomato plants hence the 20 inch wide tomato cages. 

Step-by-step assembly instructions for your PVC tomato cage

Mark all your 10″ and 7″ lines and then cut

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Organize all your parts for easy assembly

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Cement vertical and horizontal pieces to four crosses

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Add and cement elbows

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Add four tee’s

You may just want to cement the bottom square of the cage, especially if you are unsure of how big you want them to be.

This gives you more storage options as they can be taken apart at the end of the season. It also allows you to adjust the height at any time.

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Add horizontal pieces

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Repeat steps 1 and 2 and then add tee’s on the top square

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Connect elbows

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Push down the cage gently so you can see where the four pipes enter the ground.

Pull the cage out and then take a metal stake and sledgehammer so the cage easily slides into the ground.

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See how neat and effective PVC tomato cages are in the garden?
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Tomato cage showdown. It’s clear who the winner is!
Now that we’re growing the biggest and best tomatoes, we need heavy-duty cages to support these budding plants.

How do you prop up your plants? What do you use?

108 Comments

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. AvatarAnita Duvall says

    February 3, 2021 at 12:50 am

    This is an awesome cage for the tomatoes. Easy to make with some of the PVC Pipe we have lying around.

    Reply
  2. AvatarChris Civitello says

    February 3, 2021 at 12:57 am

    I have the old fashioned cages, but I like that idea and they won’t rust with the pvc.

    Reply
  3. AvatarDolores Miranda says

    February 3, 2021 at 2:36 am

    I definitely need to try this for our tomatoes this year!

    Reply
  4. AvatarHeidi says

    February 3, 2021 at 2:58 am

    I use the wire cages and the wind has destroyed them this year. I wanna try these pvc ones.

    Reply
  5. AvatarMichelle Proper says

    February 3, 2021 at 3:17 am

    Being limited to space this idea will come in handy! 🙂

    Reply
  6. AvatarCheryl A Bomar says

    February 3, 2021 at 3:24 am

    Awesome idea!

    Reply
  7. AvatarAnita Hamilton says

    February 3, 2021 at 4:07 am

    This is a good way to go

    Reply
  8. AvatarKimber says

    February 3, 2021 at 7:51 am

    Great idea! It’s definitely something I need to do.

    Reply
  9. AvatarCalshondra Williams says

    February 3, 2021 at 8:36 am

    Awesome cages for veggies! Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  10. AvatarLiz Kilcher says

    February 3, 2021 at 9:51 am

    great idea thanks

    Reply
  11. AvatarDiane Warstler says

    February 3, 2021 at 12:13 pm

    This is a really great, sturdy cage !

    Reply
  12. AvatarRichard Schott says

    February 3, 2021 at 12:24 pm

    What a great idea!

    Reply
  13. AvatarAudrey says

    February 3, 2021 at 1:40 pm

    This is a great idea!

    Reply
  14. AvatarPatti Matthews says

    February 3, 2021 at 3:11 pm

    What a great idea!! I may have to try gardening again this year!!

    Reply
  15. AvatarMarilyn Mancini says

    February 3, 2021 at 3:18 pm

    What a great idea! Who wants to make one of these for me? 😉

    Reply
  16. AvatarSara Underwood says

    February 3, 2021 at 3:30 pm

    That looks a lot sturdier than wire cages!

    Reply
  17. AvatarRena T Walter says

    February 3, 2021 at 4:12 pm

    Thanks for the info! We love tomatoes.

    Reply
  18. AvatarMelissa Storms says

    February 3, 2021 at 4:18 pm

    These definitely look strong. I made stakes with fencing nailed to it as year and they definitely were not the answer. I may have to build at least one of these this year to see how it works in my garden. Thank you for sharing!

    Reply
  19. AvatarMike H says

    February 3, 2021 at 4:46 pm

    Nice idea. I might try it I’m six months when we get rid of this foot of snow.

    Reply
  20. AvatarGeorge Downey says

    February 3, 2021 at 5:14 pm

    Different way to grow tomatoes but will try it. Thanks

    Reply
  21. AvatarTara Magee says

    February 3, 2021 at 5:18 pm

    Great ideas for the garden!

    Reply
  22. Avatarbernardina sims says

    February 3, 2021 at 5:28 pm

    Boy could I use office furniture expecially with home schooling in this pandemic!

    Reply
  23. AvatarEdward says

    February 3, 2021 at 5:58 pm

    nice

    Reply
  24. AvatarKelly Kimmell says

    February 3, 2021 at 6:14 pm

    This is a very creative solution. Looks like it would work wonderfully.

    Reply
  25. AvatarSam says

    February 3, 2021 at 6:50 pm

    Definitely have to pin this one for later. Great garden diy.

    Reply
  26. AvatarLynda Johnson says

    February 3, 2021 at 7:26 pm

    Great idea for people with limited space.

    Reply
  27. AvatarBrittany Gilley says

    February 3, 2021 at 7:27 pm

    thanks for the great instructions

    Reply
  28. AvatarJon Heil says

    February 3, 2021 at 7:29 pm

    Great way with limited area

    Reply
  29. AvatarLisa Cress says

    February 3, 2021 at 11:15 pm

    Great idea! Thanks!

    Reply
  30. AvatarLeela says

    February 3, 2021 at 11:23 pm

    I need to do this in my yard.

    Reply
  31. Avatarkathy m says

    February 3, 2021 at 11:56 pm

    These look so much sturdier than the wire cages. I could see using these for climbing vine plants also! thanks for the great instructions!

    Reply
  32. AvatarJennifer Phillips says

    February 4, 2021 at 12:25 am

    Wonderful idea. Saving this one in my want to do file!

    Reply
  33. AvatarRonnell Storie says

    February 4, 2021 at 1:14 am

    Should last awhile. I use bought cages, homemade cages and just stakes.

    Reply
  34. AvatarPhyllis Skoglund says

    February 4, 2021 at 1:37 am

    I prefer the wire supports for my plants.

    Reply
  35. AvatarErika L. says

    February 4, 2021 at 2:03 am

    Very clever idea. Thank for the tips.

    Reply
  36. AvatarJanis C says

    February 4, 2021 at 2:47 am

    I like the fact that this is so sturdy.

    Reply
  37. AvatarELAINE PITENIS says

    February 4, 2021 at 4:12 am

    Excellent tips, ideas, and suggestons!

    Reply
  38. AvatarDavid M. says

    February 4, 2021 at 5:02 am

    Great way to keep tomatoes safe from deer and the like.

    Reply
  39. AvatarKathy Bowen says

    February 4, 2021 at 6:46 am

    Can’t wait to try this. The traditional wire cages work great when new, but storing them can be problematic.

    Reply
  40. AvatarLJ says

    February 4, 2021 at 3:54 pm

    I like that these won’t rust. Now to go scope some out!

    Reply
  41. AvatarJohn Gusswein says

    February 4, 2021 at 4:42 pm

    The cages sure look sturdy.

    Reply
  42. AvatarJoanne Przybylowski says

    February 4, 2021 at 6:35 pm

    These would last forever and work well.

    Reply
  43. AvatarLen Fesi says

    February 4, 2021 at 6:42 pm

    Great idea. I will try it

    Reply
  44. AvatarJACKIE HARTZ says

    February 4, 2021 at 7:06 pm

    Being limited to space this idea will come in handy!

    Reply
    • AvatarInez B Perrigan says

      February 6, 2021 at 1:59 pm

      great way to support your plants

      Reply
  45. AvatarSandra McFadden says

    February 4, 2021 at 7:06 pm

    Thanks for sharing…….I love the idea but for those of us who are on a limited income the first investment would be overwhelming. I will have to stick to the tried and true cages at the local hardware store.

    Reply
  46. AvatarMonica McConnell says

    February 4, 2021 at 7:12 pm

    This is such a good Idea! So simple I am not creative to think of things like this.

    Reply
  47. AvatarTraci Gregory says

    February 4, 2021 at 7:20 pm

    Unfortunately I live in a apartment but this is a good idea and I am definitely going to let my daughter know she has a green thumb

    Reply
  48. AvatarGina Ferrell says

    February 4, 2021 at 7:39 pm

    I like this idea so worth it’s so perfect for growing tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, and etc..

    Reply
  49. AvatarBrian says

    February 4, 2021 at 7:47 pm

    Great ideas!

    Reply
  50. AvatarAngie Patel says

    February 4, 2021 at 8:34 pm

    Easy and creative…great job!

    Reply
  51. AvatarSoraya M says

    February 4, 2021 at 9:25 pm

    What a great idea using PVC. You have given me a few ideas.

    Reply
  52. AvatarMichael Coovert says

    February 4, 2021 at 9:42 pm

    These are such great set ups.

    Reply
  53. Avatartom says

    February 4, 2021 at 10:01 pm

    Crafty, neat way to keep maters off ground

    Reply
  54. AvatarIrina says

    February 4, 2021 at 10:04 pm

    Great idea, I just use the wooden garden stakes

    Reply
  55. AvatarTina says

    February 4, 2021 at 10:30 pm

    deer stills finds way to get in

    Reply
  56. AvatarTony Platz says

    February 4, 2021 at 10:33 pm

    I have limited space so this would work great for me thanks .

    Reply
  57. AvatarCrystal Abel says

    February 4, 2021 at 10:55 pm

    What a wonderful idea!

    Reply
  58. AvatarTerry Poage says

    February 5, 2021 at 12:00 am

    Having limited space that gets sun this would work out great.

    Reply
  59. AvatarBeatrice P says

    February 5, 2021 at 12:34 am

    I love gardening and would love to try this

    Reply
  60. AvatarJennifer George says

    February 5, 2021 at 12:51 am

    Cool idea!

    Reply
  61. Avatarkim Mignella says

    February 5, 2021 at 4:35 am

    Great info, thank you!

    Reply
  62. AvatarJeanna Massman says

    February 5, 2021 at 6:06 am

    Thanks for the interesting ideas.

    Reply
  63. AvatarLisa Alden says

    February 5, 2021 at 3:31 pm

    Interesting idea. I will give these a shot this summer

    Reply
  64. AvatarStephen Jones says

    February 5, 2021 at 6:26 pm

    I like the idea here with the PVC pipe!

    Reply
  65. AvatarLawrence D Weisberg says

    February 5, 2021 at 9:30 pm

    Looks like a fun project! Like my old tinker toys.

    Reply
  66. AvatarRhonda Norrod says

    February 5, 2021 at 9:53 pm

    fun!

    Reply
  67. AvatarBetsy Pauzauskie says

    February 5, 2021 at 11:11 pm

    We’ve used & reused metal cages. I’m glad Tom did the research then took time to build these well constructed, convenient PVC Cages. They possess a bold and bright modern artistic flair; and will look great all year long! I adore them!

    Reply
  68. AvatarMelton C McKinney says

    February 5, 2021 at 11:46 pm

    I’m trying to grow from pots and having a lot of difficulty.

    Reply
  69. AvatarShelly says

    February 6, 2021 at 2:52 am

    thanks for this tip!

    Reply
  70. Avatarpaula burnham says

    February 6, 2021 at 2:55 am

    Love this idea, very creative

    Reply
  71. AvatarMichelle Jackson says

    February 6, 2021 at 2:57 am

    Thank you for sharing!

    Reply
  72. AvatarKim m Blevins says

    February 6, 2021 at 2:20 pm

    love your contest praying to win something now lol

    Reply
  73. AvatarNancy Rexroad says

    February 6, 2021 at 2:31 pm

    Great Ideas !

    Reply
  74. AvatarBrandy Burkett says

    February 6, 2021 at 4:44 pm

    This is a pretty good idea!

    Reply
  75. AvatarTara L says

    February 6, 2021 at 9:32 pm

    Great tips. My step dad has a garden he prepares every summer. It’s roomy and big and he grows lots of veggies and fruits.

    Reply
  76. AvatarKayla M says

    February 6, 2021 at 10:47 pm

    Great idea!

    Reply
  77. AvatarDarlene Carbajal says

    February 7, 2021 at 12:46 am

    This is a great idea, thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  78. AvatarRosanne says

    February 7, 2021 at 3:28 am

    Ingenious way to do a trellis and so eye catching

    Reply
  79. AvatarJoseph LEVY says

    February 7, 2021 at 6:31 am

    I really need desk. Would be a great win.

    Reply
  80. Avatarcynthia says

    February 7, 2021 at 8:35 am

    good idea

    Reply
  81. AvatarBradley Russell says

    February 7, 2021 at 11:24 am

    Creative idea for sure.

    Reply
  82. AvatarMaryann D. says

    February 7, 2021 at 12:57 pm

    I would feel terrific if I did an Easy DIY tomato, cucumber & squash PVC pipe cage. Such a super idea.

    Reply
  83. AvatarCarla Lobosco says

    February 7, 2021 at 4:42 pm

    Thank you for doing this

    Reply
  84. AvatarBrandy Crabtree says

    February 8, 2021 at 5:21 am

    I generally use the wired cages, but I like this idea!

    Reply
  85. AvatarDIANE ERAL says

    February 8, 2021 at 8:04 am

    I use fence wire because I have some hungry rabbits and deer who love to eat buffet-style out of my garden.

    Reply
  86. AvatarSandra Watts says

    February 8, 2021 at 11:15 am

    That is a pretty creative idea! Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  87. AvatarLisa says

    February 8, 2021 at 7:56 pm

    This is a great idea. It’s nice that it will be sturdy enough for things like eggplant that the wire cages may not support so well. I’ve seen pvc pipe used at the gym to make shelves to hold the large, rubber exercise balls to keep them from rolling all over. This use of the pvc pipes is similar to that.

    Reply
  88. AvatarIrene says

    February 8, 2021 at 8:29 pm

    I never ever would’ve thought of PVC piping as trellises. When I get to have my garden again (very, very soon), I’m taking PVC piping to the next level! Thank you!

    Reply
  89. Avatarbeth shepherd says

    February 9, 2021 at 7:50 pm

    This is a great idea

    Reply
  90. AvatarJoanna says

    February 9, 2021 at 11:54 pm

    This is a great idea. We made quite a few out of hog wire years ago. I also use some for dahlias and short ones for peonies.

    Reply
  91. AvatarArlen Garman says

    February 10, 2021 at 4:57 pm

    A wonderful prize. Please enter, and I want to thank the great persons/business for giving someone an opportunity to win the great prize.

    Who ever wins, must send a nice response, or email, or letter to the sponsor of the sweepstakes. Thank you for the opportunity to enter, May the best entry win.

    Reply
  92. AvatarJenn Barlet says

    February 10, 2021 at 7:45 pm

    I wonder if this would work for peas

    Reply
  93. AvatarSandra Beeman says

    February 15, 2021 at 8:03 pm

    There’s so much to learn, but well worth the effort for the outcome.

    Reply
  94. AvatarPaula Brown says

    February 17, 2021 at 3:28 pm

    I would love to have a garden designed that the pictures , in my back yard. I have a dog and a lot of other animals that show up in my tree .

    Reply
  95. AvatarJennylyn Gross says

    February 18, 2021 at 5:39 pm

    this is such a great idea thanks for the advice

    Reply
  96. Avatarcynthia l whipple says

    February 19, 2021 at 11:20 am

    great idea

    Reply
  97. AvatarThanay Binford says

    February 21, 2021 at 2:56 pm

    great article, looks simple enough. I usually have green posts with support beams

    Reply
  98. AvatarShirley Lee says

    February 21, 2021 at 4:07 pm

    I’m not much interested in blogs, as such. But this one . . .

    Reply
  99. AvatarChristina Wahrmund says

    February 22, 2021 at 2:05 am

    So sturdy. Why didn’t I think of this?

    Reply
  100. AvatarBrenda Disimone says

    February 22, 2021 at 2:43 am

    This is a great idea ! I should use this to keep out animals in my garden

    Reply
  101. AvatarGayle C Stafford says

    February 22, 2021 at 11:23 am

    Is this expensive?

    Reply
  102. AvatarTeriA says

    February 24, 2021 at 1:30 am

    I like the idea of leaving them out all year round, but am probably too lazy to build and will just buy new as mine break.

    Reply
  103. AvatarKriss K says

    February 25, 2021 at 3:56 am

    I’ll have to show this to my husband.

    Reply
  104. AvatarLaurie Nykaza says

    February 25, 2021 at 10:11 am

    I love seeing this done and seeing the steps you went through to make it looks like a project I could actually do. I like the height of it and how it looks in the garden too.

    Reply
  105. Avatarcylina williams says

    February 26, 2021 at 4:47 pm

    Great idea, we are planning a garden and this is helpful

    Reply
  106. AvatarJulie Waldron says

    February 26, 2021 at 11:13 pm

    These are some great tips! We just use tomato cages for our tomatoes, nothing for the others.

    Reply
  107. AvatarThomas Gibson says

    February 28, 2021 at 3:35 pm

    Really appreciate the article. Thank you.

    Reply

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about laura sproull

about laura sproull

Hi! I'm Laura and hail from Western New York. I consider myself a lifelong learner who loves gardening with a 360 degree view. Thanks for stopping by!

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