To stake tomato plants, first remove side shoots that are in the way of tying the main stem to the stake. Carefully tie the main stem to a strong 3 to 5-foot stake, sturdily pounded into the ground near the young transplant. Tie the plant to the stake with strips of cloth or stretchy nursery tape. Do not use inflexible tight string or wire, as these could injure the plant. Stakes can be made of almost any sturdy material including wood, metal or any other strong, straight material that can be cut into lengths.
Some gardeners drive three stakes into the ground about six inches from the young tomato plant.
Then they select a strong side branch to tie to each stake. Each of the staked branches will support a load of tomato fruits. Strong wire fencing or concrete reinforcement wire can be bent into circular, tomato plant cages that are about three feet tall when they're in place. If you choose to use cages, put them on when the plants are small, so you don't have to contort the plants all up to put the cage over them. Tomatoes can also be supported along wire fencing, stretched out in a straight line and fastened to sturdy posts every three or four feet.