How to Assemble the Tower Garden Flex Support Cage (Step-by-Step Guide)

If you’re growing climbing or vining crops like tomatoes, cucumbers, or peppers on your Tower Garden Flex, a support cage is a must-have. It keeps heavy plants upright, improves airflow, and prevents your crops from shading each other. Here’s a simple step-by-step guide to help you assemble the Tower Garden Flex support cage and set your plants up for success. 🌿🍅

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Why Use a Support Cage?

The support cage gives your crops room to climb while protecting smaller plants inside the Tower. Without support, large vines can topple over or sprawl, shading tender crops like lettuce and herbs. With the cage in place, you’ll get:

• Stronger, healthier plants 💪
• Better airflow around leaves 🌬️
• Easier access for pruning and harvesting ✂️
• A more stable Tower Garden overall 🌱

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Step-by-Step Assembly Instructions

1. Position the Base

Locate the two 5/16” holes drilled into the top of your Tower Garden Flex reservoir cover. Align these with the corresponding holes in the reservoir.

2. Install the Steel Rods

Insert the steel rods into the holes with the hex nuts on top of the reservoir. From underneath the tub lip, screw on the wing nuts to secure them tightly by hand.

3. Add the Plastic Support Rods

Firmly press the four plastic support rods into the designated rod locations around the Tower.

4. Slide on the Spacers

Starting from the top, slide a 12” x ½” spacer down over each stainless steel rod until it rests on the reservoir cover.

5. Attach the Rings

Slide a support ring down over the rods and press it securely onto the plastic supports.

6. Keep Building

Continue alternating spacers, rings, and supports up the rods, building the cage layer by layer.

7. Secure the Final Ring

Once you’ve placed the last set of spacers and the top ring, secure everything with the wing nuts on the rods. Hand-tighten to lock the cage into place.

And that’s it — your Tower Garden Flex support cage is ready for planting! 🎉

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Pro Tips for Growing with the Support Cage

• Guide, don’t strangle: As your plants grow, gently guide vines through the cage. Don’t force them.
• Mind the light: Train larger plants like cucumbers or tomatoes so they don’t block lettuce, herbs, or other small crops inside the cage. 🌞
• Think pyramid planting: Place bigger crops at the bottom, medium crops in the middle, and smaller herbs or greens up top. This prevents shading.
• Use alternatives when needed: Sometimes, a tomato stake or trellis next to the Tower works better than the cage — especially for very vigorous vines like cucumbers.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Do I need a support cage for all plants on the Tower Garden?
A: No, smaller crops like lettuce, herbs, and greens don’t need a cage. The cage is most useful for tomatoes, cucumbers, beans, peppers, and other climbing or heavy crops.

Q: Can I use the support cage indoors with grow lights?
A: Yes! Just make sure your grow lights are positioned correctly. If you’re using an extension kit, the cage may be tall enough to require extra adjustments.

Q: What if my plants outgrow the cage?
A: For especially vigorous vines, consider adding a nearby stake or trellis for extra support.

Q: Will the cage block light from reaching smaller plants?
A: It can if not managed properly. Be mindful to train big plants outward and prune as needed to allow light and airflow to reach the inside crops.