TOMATO CRATERGardening Tool to Increase Harvest - 3 Pack

These hold up over several years but they are way overpriced on Amazon

This is exactly what was advertised. We have used the square product in the past and destroyed several plants in the process of getting them through the small hole of the square. This product splits into 2 usable halves and will be a breeze to place around our tomato plants this year. The added bonus is our little garden helpers were able to put the two halves together on their own. These rings also allow us to segregate our irrigation for the tomatoes from the rest of the garden beds. Plus with their deep dish and the ability to tape over one or two of the drain holes to control the flow rate to the roots as well, we hope to end splitting and think skinned tomatoes. We will be ordering more of these for areas of our garden beds where drip systems are not installed.

I have used these for two growing seasons in the midwest. They are holding up well and I hope to get many years use out of them. The slip together very easily around the plant. I like that there is a large enough hole to fit around tomato plants, but I do find weeds coming up thru the hole near the stem during the summer. Weeds also pop up thru the holes in the crater. I like that when you water, the water is going directly to the drip line of the plant and down to the roots. I try to fill the crater up when I water. I think it reduces foliar diseases since there isn't water droplets bouncing up from the ground, but as for causing the tomatoes to ripen quicker, I didn't notice this. I do like that it keeps the weeds down right around the plant and I can put a tomato cage thru the holes in the crate securing it over the plant. They are kind of pricey, but I liked using them and thought about getting more for next year.

Additional information to,answer some questions. April 30, 2017These are not meant to keep plants from getting diseases like blossom end rot (calcium deficiency in the soil) or keep tomato horn worms off the fruit or cure blight or other diseases. The craters are not designed to hold water. These protect the base of the plants from slugs and keep moisture near the stem. I have used mine for years and they are very sturdy. The original premise was that the red color reflected on the tomatos making them ripen faster. There are other items that make the same claim like red plastic lining and those cheap flimsy red ones with a slit that tear the plant to pieces and break in half when trying to get them around the stem.I have both these and the Automator which is a similar product. These are far superior; they are heavy duty plastic and hold up very well over the years. They come in two sections with a large hole for the plant stem. They are very easy to install as the two pieces snap together with no damage to the plants. The bottom Is flat so I just wiggle it a little in the dirt and they sit flat, it has drainage holes. It keeps snails and slugs away from your plants. I use mine with both square folding tomato cages and the ultimate tomato cage that is triangular. I usually have a spectacular crop of tomatoes but I don't know that is entirely the use of the craters. I replaced all my automaters with these!

While the price of this product is quite high considering it's a simple piece of plastic (actually, two pieces that you fit together which isn't made easy by the design of the thing) it is undeniable that tomatoes will grow faster and more vigorous. That's at least what I am getting in my climate which is generally to cold (chilly nights!) for growing big ripe tomatoes. I compared plants grown with and without the tomato craters and the difference is significant. Grown against the south wall of our home, and with the tomato craters, early producing tomato varieties provide us with a nice crop, much superior to plants grown in the vegetable garden and without the tomato crater. While expensive the product is sturdy and can be reused for many seasons. If your climate is a bit chilly for tomatoes give these a try and remember to plant in compost amended soil in front of a south-facing wall.

These work OK with a traditional tomato cage where the cage's supporting legs are outside of this tool. You should really set these into the ground about an inch or 2, but I had planted the tomato plants before I bought these tools. They don't work so well just set on top of the soil. They also cannot work with tomato "ladders" which I used for the first time this year and really like. I would say that half of my tomato plants were in traditional cages and half in the tomato ladders. But in no case did I set the Crater Tool up before planting or before installing a tomato cage. My review is not really a good test of the usefulness of the Tool.

I love the sturdiness and effectiveness of the tomato crater! I also appreciate that it is made in two pieces, which made it incredibly easy to use without damaging my seedlings. I only wish it came in more than one size.

This crater has been fabulous this growing season! I tried a 3-pack to see how everything goes and to see what the production is like. So far I am impressed and it and the straw surrounding it has weathered the hot, dry weather this summer in MN. Now to wait for harvest time!