Plant support

Abstract

A small spring steel stake is used to support a large tomato plant. The plant is held close to the stake so that the stake supports the plant with its weight pulling substantially straight down along the axis of the stake. Rings are optionally used to support only the branches and not the stem of the plant. Since the tomatoes grow close to the stem, a heavy load of tomatoes adds little weight to the rings. A shade, designed to be installed whenever the gardener decides the time is right, is detachably mounted to the top of the plant support and consists of spaced apart shade members so that rain water captured by the shade members may be directed to the roots of the plant. An optional deck planter adapted to secure the stake in its vertical position facilitates the use of the plant support for urban and even indoor gardening conditions.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.