It should be durable enough to last all season. If tomatoes are to be pruned to a single stem, delay setting the stakes until plants begin to bloom. Drive the stake in the ground about 4 inches from the base of the plant and on the opposite side of the stem from the first flower cluster. This prevents crowding fruit between the stem and the stake. Plants pruned to a single stem develop all flower clusters on the same side of the stem.
Tomatoes are susceptible to a wide range of foliar diseases.
Protect the plants with preventive fungicide sprays. Spray applications made after the diseases are widespread help to bring the disease under control but do not repair damage already done or replace leaves already lost to disease. Some gardeners are reluctant to apply fungicide unless rain has occurred since the last application. Keep in mind that heat and light destroy these chemicals and the plants are constantly adding new growth. So, frequent applications of fungicides are needed at all times.