The $25 Cherry Tomato Garden Arch That’s Holding Up My Massive SUPER Sweet 100s
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My Super Sweet 100s plant is an absolute unit, and this $25 cherry tomato garden arch arch is the only thing holding it up.
None of my other tomatoes are doing their best this year. My big slicers only have a few tomatoes on them, and the Piennolo del Vesuvio tomatoes I’m trying out for the first time are looking pretty weak. But the Super Sweet 100s? I’m definitely growing them again next year. This massive thing is delightful.
If you’re a gardener who’s experienced with Super Sweet 100s, you’re probably laughing right now. Of course it’s getting big, you say! Friend, I had no idea. I love it. But I had no idea.
This particular plant is tucked in at the end of a long, raised bed. It’s been the spot in our garden for cherry tomatoes for years. Last year it was home to our spoon tomatoes, which also grew huge, but in a more delicate, less heavy way than this year’s Super Sweet 100s. This plant is a different beast entirely. It has thick vines and more clusters (trusses) of cherry tomatoes than I can count. It’s actually in a standard tomato cage but that’s long since disappeared from view.
The problem with the Super Sweet 100s growing so giant is the walkway right next to it. On one side is the lawn, and on the other is a narrow path we use to get to the rest of the garden. As the plant grew, it invaded so far into that path that it nearly blocked it off. We couldn’t get through without pushing branches out of the way and risking a face full of leaves.
Yes, I could have pruned it back hard and called it a day. That would certainly make sense. But you know what’s more fun? Another garden arch.
Finding the Right Arch for a Small Space
I had a few requirements. I needed an cherry tomato garden arch narrow enough to fit the space, tall and wide enough that we could walk underneath without ducking, and sturdy enough to handle dozens of cherry tomatoes along with the heavy vines as they climbed up and over it. It also needed to be simple to put together, because I did not have the patience for a complicated build in the middle of tomato season.
After some searching, I found a $25 garden arch on Amazon. It has done the job beautifully!
I chose a cherry tomato garden arch without a base, which fit my setup well. I shoved one side directly into the raised garden bed and the other straight into the ground beside the path.
From there, it was just a matter of carefully guiding the heaviest branches toward the arch and tying them on with some leftover velcro strips I had and some garden string. It only took a few minutes, but we finally had a clear walkway again. And it’s nice that Super Sweet 100s plant had a proper structure to grow up and over instead of sagging.
I was surprised by how quickly the arch came together and how sturdy it felt once it was in place. It’s not wobbling, the joints are firm, and it’s already held up during a thunderstorm. It’s a simple solid frame holding up a very thick tomato plant.
Other Cherry Tomato Garden Arches to Consider
For anyone shopping around, here are a few other garden arches I considered before landing on one. You’ll notice that a few of these are labeled as wedding arches, but if they can hold heavy floral arrangements they also hold garden plants!
stable arch for a raised bed
I actually have this rounded arch in another part of the garden. I bought it for those piennolo tomatoes but they are barely climbing them. However, a nearby tiny pumpkin plant is starting to! It’s a great arch, but it just didn’t fit the space. It’s too wide on its long side and a little short for my husband to nicely walk under.
Three color options
This arch is very similar to the one I ended up buying (which is a dark green), but it also comes in white and black. Additionally, it can be configured to a much wider arch if needed.
arbor trellis
This trellis is really pretty in its more traditional arbor shape.
OGEE ARCH
This ogee arched trellis was a serious contender! In the end, I went with a more traditional plain arch but I still love this one.
Each of these is a solid option if you want something slightly different in size, style, or material. I went with mine mainly because of the narrower width and the option to skip the base, but depending on your space, one of these might be an even better fit.
Now that I know how giant the Super Sweet 100s grow, I’m already excited for next season. I’ll already have set up the arch before it’s needed instead of scrambling mid-summer, and keep a closer eye on the vines early so they get tied in gradually instead of all at once. THAT was a haul to pull in.
The tomatoes are turning and blushing, and I’m finally collecting them daily rather than watch the plant grow. Although the vines are still climbing, the tomatoes keep coming. I really hope this arch is going to be completely covered in a month. How magical.
Let’s see how high she grows!
