Indeterminate types of tomatoes form fruit clusters at intervals along their ever-elongating stems. Determinate types on the other hand form fruit at the ends of their branches. Indeterminate tomato types are the ones which should be considered for staking. Determinate types would be reduced to a single short stem with little or no fruit due to the pruning involved in the staking process. Indeterminate types will often bear fruit up until autumn frosts and if let go can assume heights of 6 or more feet in cages or on stakes.
Determinate types stop growing when fruit sets on the terminal bud.
Their growth habit is more compact and they therefore need less support. In general their fruit tends to ripen over a shorter period of time. In most gardens, it is advisable to stake or cage tomatoes to increase your yield and to conserve space. If you use stakes, be sure that they are driven into the soil enough so that they will support the weight of the plants and fruit. The stakes should be at least six feet high.