Don’t Overlook Old Tomato Cages: 10 Brilliant Ways to Reuse Them for Spring and Summer
Every spring, gardeners pull open the shed, garage, or basement and rediscover them: old tomato cages. Bent, rusty, mismatched, or no longer ideal for tomatoes, they’re often tossed aside, forgotten, or left leaning against a fence “just in case.”
That would be a mistake.
Tomato cages are one of the most versatile garden tools ever made. Lightweight yet sturdy, weather-resistant, easy to modify, and already designed to support growing plants, they can be reused in dozens of creative ways—far beyond tomatoes.
In fact, many experienced gardeners intentionally keep old tomato cages because of how useful they are for spring and summer projects.
In this blog post, you’ll discover 10 brilliant ways to reuse old tomato cages that will save money, reduce waste, and make your garden more productive, organized, and beautiful.
Why Tomato Cages Are Gardening Gold
Before we get into the ideas, it’s worth understanding why tomato cages are so reusable.
Tomato cages are:
Designed for outdoor weather
Made to support weight
Open and adjustable
Easy to cut, bend, or stack
Lightweight but durable
Unlike many single-purpose garden tools, tomato cages are essentially ready-made frames—and frames are the foundation of countless garden solutions.
1. Turn Tomato Cages into Vertical Trellises for Climbing Plants
This is the most natural reuse—and one of the most effective.
Perfect For:
Cucumbers
Pole beans
Peas
Morning glories
Clematis
Sweet peas
How to Do It:
Flip the cage upside down so the widest part is on top
Push the narrow legs deep into the soil
Optionally secure with garden stakes
Why It Works:
Tomato cages already provide:
Vertical support
Multiple climbing points
Airflow that reduces disease
Plants climb naturally, and harvesting becomes easier and cleaner.
Pro tip: Use taller cages for cucumbers and beans to keep fruit off the ground.
2. Create a Stunning Flower Tower
Old tomato cages can become vertical flower gardens with very little effort.
How to Use Them:
Place the cage over a large pot or in the ground
Plant climbing or cascading flowers at the base
Gently train stems upward
Great Flower Choices:
Nasturtiums
Black-eyed Susan vine
Moonflower
Sweet peas
Petunias (trailing varieties)
Why Gardeners Love This:
Adds height and structure to beds
Maximizes small-space gardens
Creates eye-catching focal points
With a little imagination, tomato cages can become living garden sculptures.
3. Build a DIY Plant Protection Cage
Spring and early summer often bring:
Late frosts
Strong winds
Curious pets
Hungry wildlife
Tomato cages can help.
How to Use Them:
Place a cage over young plants
Wrap with:
Garden fabric
Chicken wire
Shade cloth
Frost cloth
Perfect For Protecting:
Seedlings
Lettuce
Peppers
Herbs
Newly transplanted flowers
This creates a protective barrier while still allowing light, air, and rain through.
4. Make a Berry Support System
Berries love support—but many gardeners forget to give it.
Ideal For:
Raspberries
Blackberries
Strawberries (for protection)
How It Works:
Place cages around berry plants
Let canes grow through the rings
Keeps fruit off the ground
Benefits:
Reduces rot
Makes harvesting easier
Improves airflow
Keeps plants tidy
Old tomato cages are especially useful for berry patches that tend to sprawl.
5. Create a Portable Garden Cloche
A cloche is a protective cover traditionally made of glass—but tomato cages can become modern, flexible cloches.
How to Make One:
Place cage over plant
Cover with:
Clear plastic
Frost cloth
Old shower curtain
When to Use:
Cool spring nights
Sudden cold snaps
Windy conditions
This creates a mini greenhouse effect that can extend your growing season by weeks.
6. Use Tomato Cages as Compost Holders
This is one of the smartest—and least-known—uses.
How It Works:
Set a tomato cage directly on the soil
Fill it with:
Leaves
Grass clippings
Garden waste
Why It’s Brilliant:
Keeps compost contained
Allows airflow
Breaks down material faster
Easy to move and empty
These mini compost bins are perfect for:
Garden beds
Small yards
Seasonal composting
7. Turn Tomato Cages into Herb Drying Racks
Herbs grow fast in spring and summer—and they need drying.
How to Use:
Hang bunches of herbs from the rings using twine or clips
Place the cage:
In a dry garage
On a covered porch
In a shed
Ideal Herbs:
Basil
Thyme
Rosemary
Oregano
Sage
The open design allows excellent airflow, helping herbs dry evenly without mold.
8. Make a Garden Tool Organizer
Tomato cages don’t have to stay in the soil.
How to Use Indoors or Outdoors:
Place a cage upside down
Use hooks or S-hooks to hang:
Hand tools
Gloves
Twine
Small watering cans
Why This Works:
Keeps tools visible
Prevents clutter
Uses vertical space
It’s especially helpful in small sheds or garages where organization is limited.
9. Create a Support Frame for Peonies and Floppy Plants
Some of the most beautiful garden plants are also the floppiest.
Great For:
Peonies
Dahlias
Coneflowers
Tall sedums
How to Use:
Place the cage early in the season
Let plants grow through it naturally
By the time blooms appear, the cage is hidden by foliage—yet it quietly keeps everything upright.
10. Make a DIY Garden Obelisk or Decorative Feature
With a little creativity, old tomato cages can become garden décor.
How to Transform Them:
Stack two cages and secure them together
Spray paint them:
Black
White
Copper
Rust finish
Use As:
Decorative plant supports
Garden focal points
Entryway accents
Add lights, ribbons, or vines, and you’ve got a functional piece of art.
Why Reusing Tomato Cages Makes Sense
1. It Saves Money
Why buy new supports when you already own them?
2. It Reduces Waste
Reusing keeps metal out of landfills.
3. It Encourages Creativity
Gardening becomes more fun when you repurpose instead of replace.
4. It Builds a More Sustainable Garden
Using what you have is one of the most eco-friendly choices you can make.
How to Refresh Old Tomato Cages
If your cages look rough, a little TLC goes a long way.
Easy Fixes:
Straighten bent wires with pliers
Remove rust with a wire brush
Spray with rust-resistant paint
Wrap sharp ends with tape or tubing
They don’t have to look perfect to be useful.
Safety Tips When Reusing Tomato Cages
Wear gloves when handling rusty cages
Smooth sharp ends
Secure cages in windy areas
Avoid using severely corroded metal near food crops
A little care ensures safe, long-lasting use.
Why Experienced Gardeners Never Throw Them Away
Ask seasoned gardeners, and you’ll hear the same thing:
“You can always find a use for a tomato cage.”
They’re flexible, adaptable, and endlessly reusable—exactly what a good garden tool should be.
Spring and Summer Are the Perfect Time to Get Creative
As plants grow quickly during warmer months, having extra supports on hand can:
Save plants from snapping
Improve harvests
Keep gardens tidy
Old tomato cages shine brightest when growth is at its peak.
Final Thoughts: Look Again Before You Toss Them
Old tomato cages may not look exciting—but they’re one of the most underrated tools in the garden.
With a little imagination, they can become:
Trellises
Protectors
Organizers
Composters
Decorative features
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