Tomato Cages for the Serious Gardener

This year, I realized a life dream! You'll think this is warped, but it was to have good tomato cages. Tired of the flimsey cone-shaped things you get at the store, I went in with a gardening friend and purchased (no scrounged, not raided, no pilfered) a 320' roll of 39" galvanized field fence with 12" mesh. I wanted to get 4" mesh but my buddy convinced me to get the 12". He was right. You need room to get your hands into the plant to pluck those gorgeous Beefmasters! Get a decent pair of wire cutters (Thank you, Rural King, $15.00). Cut the fencing in 6' sections. Cut right in the middle of two vertical wires. Bend each side of the cut wire back to make an open loop. Roll the fence section into a cage and hook the loops together, closing them with pliers. They are about 22-23" in diameter and stand up sans staking. I love 'em. I knocked out 22 of these and believe my tomato cage problems are solved for generations (assuming one of my kids is interested in gardening). Check 'em out. Believe in your dreams! Now if only I had water hoses without leaks!