Garden Stake Types

• The right kind of stake can provide vital support to your plants. Dougal Waters/Digital Vision/Getty Images

  Many common garden plants, including those that bear tomatoes, eggplants and peppers, can grow so heavy that they collapse under the weight. But don't fret: garden stakes are easy to install and, in addition to being useful and even vital, can give your garden an aesthetic boost if they are painted different colors or have decorative tops. Stakes are made from a variety of materials and are even available with small solar panels that add some extra light to a garden.

Wooden and Plastic Stakes

• Wooden and plastic garden stakes are the most inexpensive choices, but make sure that they are not coated in any toxic paints or finishes. Wood stakes should be unfinished, as wood lacquer contains chemicals that can leach into soil and harm plants. If you buy wood stakes that are painted or want to paint them yourself, make sure you use nontoxic paint. Also, look for high-quality wood such as cedar, as it will hold up better against the elements. When shopping for plastic stakes, look for those made out of recycled plastic, as recycled plastics contain less toxic chemicals such as BPA.

Metal Stakes

• Metal stakes are pricier than wooden or plastic stakes but they last longer and are less prone to breaking or being worn away by weather. Most metal stakes are made of copper or steel and then coated in paint; be sure to choose stakes with nontoxic paint and with no paint covering the bottom 6 inches, as this portion will be buried under the soil.

Solar Stakes

• Solar stakes are the most expensive variety of garden stakes, but also the most useful. In addition to providing support to your plants, solar stakes also soak up sunlight all day and store them in small photovoltaic cells, allowing them to light up at night. Solar stakes are most effective when provided with a southern exposure, and must be kept out of the shadows of trees and buildings. You will need a number of solar stakes, which start around $20 but can run well over $100, to effectively illuminate your garden.