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Pruning tomatoes is the best way to keep your plants healthy, and maximize yield.
In this post, I’ll tell you why you should trim tomatoes, which types need it, and when to do it.
Then I’ll show you exactly how to prune tomatoes step-by-step.
If your tomato plants grow huge every summer, but don’t produce much fruit, then it’s time to bring out your pruning shears.
Getting into the habit of trimming tomatoes on a regular basis will give you the biggest and best yield.
Some people are intimidated by the thought pruning plants. But don’t worry, I’m going to make this super easy for you!
In this complete guide, I will walk you through everything you need to know about pruning tomatoes in detail.
Table of Contents
Do Tomato Plants Need To Be Pruned?
Pruning isn’t required in order to grow a healthy crop of yummy tomatoes.
If you’re happy with how your plant looks, and the number of tomatoes it’s been producing, then there’s no need to trim it.
But if it’s overgrown and hasn’t been producing many tomatoes, then it’s time to give it a good trim.
What Types Of Tomatoes Need Pruning?
Before we jump into the details of trimming tomatoes, it’s important to understand that there are two types to consider: determinate and indeterminate. Learn how to tell the difference here.
The reason it’s important to know the difference between them is because they don’t require the same amount of pruning. Pruning determinate tomatoes is super easy…
- How to prune determinate tomatoes – Remove the suckers at the bottom of the plant, only up to the first flower cluster. Do not prune the top branches, or it could negatively impact fruit production.
It doesn’t get much simpler than that! However, pruning indeterminate tomatoes is a bit more complicated. So, the rest of this post is all about that.
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Why Should Tomato Plants Be Pruned?
Regularly pruning tomatoes is very beneficial to the plant, and can result in even more fruit. Here are a few reasons why it’s to important to trim tomatoes regularly…
Higher Yields
If you don’t prune tomatoes, they’ll spend a lot of energy on growing leaves and suckers.
This can take away from fruit production, meaning you won’t get as many tomatoes at harvest time.
Disease Prevention
Thinning tomatoes improves airflow, and helps to prevent fungus issues.
Proper pruning will also help to prevent blight, and other soil-borne diseases.
Nice Looking Plants
Unpruned tomatoes can look overgrown and weedy, leaving your garden looking like an ugly mess.
Plus, when they outgrow their support, they can quickly become too heavy and flop to the ground.
More Ripe Tomatoes
Timely pruning encourages the fruits to ripen faster, which will ultimately increase your yields.
That also means you won’t be stuck with a ton of green tomatoes that don’t have time to turn red before frost.
What Are Tomato Suckers?
Tomato suckers are the extra growth that appears between the stem and a branch joint.
If left to grow, suckers will become another branch that can develop flowers, and even tomatoes.
The reason to remove them is because they compete for the energy available to the plant.
This extra growth can cause the fruits to be smaller, and lower overall tomato yield.
Once you remove the suckers, your plant can dedicate more energy to producing tomatoes, rather than wasting it on the weak sucker growth.
Suckers can also make the plant look overgrown, and cause it to become very heavy. So pinching them out on a regular basis allows you to control their size and shape.
When To Prune Tomatoes
It’s best to start pruning tomatoes when they’re small, as soon as the flowers begin to form.
Then keep up with it on a regular basis throughout the summer. This will allow them to produce as many tomatoes as possible.
In late summer, you should get more aggressive with it. At this point, you can top the plants, and pinch out any new flowers.
This will help the fruits ripen much faster, so you’re not stuck with a bunch of green tomatoes when frost comes.
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You can simply pinch off small suckers on tomatoes with your fingers. If you don’t like the smell on your hands, then use a pair of micro-tip pruners.
It’s best to cut off larger suckers, stems, and leaves using pruning shears to avoid damaging the main stem. Personally, I like using precision pruners for the job.
Whatever cutting tool you decide to use, always be sure to clean and sharpen them before pruning tomatoes. That will help to prevent any damage or disease issues.
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How To Prune Tomato Plants
You don’t have to worry too much about over pruning, tomatoes can handle a pretty heavy trim.
But it is important to know how to prune tomatoes in order to ensure you’re doing what’s best for their health, and to maximum fruit production.
Here are the steps for trimming tomatoes…
Step 1: Trim out the dead leaves – Remove any dead or yellowing leaves that you see. This is an easy first step, and will help to clear the clutter so you can focus on pruning the rest.
Step 2: Remove the bottom leaves – It’s important to remove all of the leaves and lower branches that are touching the ground. This will help to prevent infection from soil-borne diseases, like blight.
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Step 3: Pinch out the suckers – You don’t need to remove every single sucker. That can become very tedious, especially if you haven’t done it before.
I usually try to remove the largest suckers towards the bottom first, then pinch out some of the smaller ones on top if I have time.
Step 4: Prune back extra leaves – This final step is optional, but good to do for overgrown tomato plants.
Prune off or trim back some of the largest leaves to further thin it, control the size, and stimulate fruit growth.
Don’t trim off too many leaves though, plants need their leaves to grow.
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FAQs About Pruning Tomatoes
In this section, I’ll answer some of the most frequently asked questions about pruning tomatoes. If you can’t find yours here, then ask it in the comments below.
How much should I prune my tomato plants?
If you’re unsure of how much to trim tomatoes, start by removing all of the suckers first, and then take a step back.
If it still looks overgrown, then you can prune out a few of the leaves to control the size, and thin it more. But be sure to keep most of the leaves on the plant.
How do I make my tomato plants bushy?
To make your tomato plants bushy, you should regularly trim or pinch the new tips from the main branches.
When should you top your tomato plants?
You can top your tomatoes in late summer so the existing fruits have time to mature. I start doing this anywhere from 4-6 weeks before our average first frost date.
Should I cut dead leaves off my tomato plant?
Yes. It’s good practice to cut dead leaves off your tomato plant regularly to keep it healthy, and prevent the spread of disease.
When should I thin my tomato plants?
You should thin your tomato plants as often as needed throughout the summer in order to control their size. Check large plants weekly, and smaller ones every few weeks.
Should I pinch off tomato flowers?
You should pinch off tomato flowers in late summer (4-6 weeks before frost), since any new fruits wouldn’t have enough time to mature anyway.
While pruning tomatoes is not required, it’s the best way to get the maximum yield from your plants.
Once you get into the habit, trimming tomatoes on a regular basis becomes second nature. And you’ll be able to grow the biggest crop of tomatoes in the neighborhood!
More Posts About Pruning Plants
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- Pruning Lavender: A Step-By-Step Guide
- How To Deadhead Petunias
More About Tomatoes
- Sun Dried Cherry Tomatoes: An Easy Homemade Recipe
Share your tips for pruning tomatoes in the comments section below!
As an experienced horticulturist with a passion for cultivating thriving gardens, particularly when it comes to tomato plants, I can attest to the crucial role that proper pruning plays in maximizing yield and maintaining plant health. Over the years, I've successfully implemented various pruning techniques, observing their impact on fruit production and overall plant vitality.
Now, let's delve into the concepts presented in the article:
1. Do Tomato Plants Need To Be Pruned?
- Pruning is not mandatory for growing healthy tomato crops. However, if your plant appears overgrown and is not yielding as expected, pruning becomes essential. The decision to prune depends on the plant's appearance and productivity.
2. What Types Of Tomatoes Need Pruning?
- Two main types of tomatoes are determinate and indeterminate. Determinate tomatoes are simpler to prune—removing suckers up to the first flower cluster is usually sufficient. Indeterminate tomatoes, on the other hand, require more complex pruning strategies.
3. Why Should Tomato Plants Be Pruned?
- Regular pruning offers several benefits:
- Higher Yields: Pruning directs the plant's energy toward fruit production rather than excessive leaf and sucker growth.
- Disease Prevention: Improved airflow from pruning reduces the risk of fungal issues and blight.
- Aesthetic Appeal: Unpruned tomatoes can look unkempt, and proper pruning prevents plants from becoming overly heavy and collapsing.
4. What Are Tomato Suckers?
- Tomato suckers are additional growth between the stem and branch joint. Removing suckers is crucial as they compete for the plant's energy, potentially leading to smaller fruits and reduced overall yield.
5. When To Prune Tomatoes:
- Start pruning when the plants are small, as soon as flowers appear. Regular pruning throughout the summer encourages maximum tomato production. In late summer, a more aggressive approach, including topping the plants and removing new flowers, helps expedite ripening.
6. Tools For Trimming Tomatoes:
- Pruning can be done with fingers for small suckers or micro-tip pruners for a cleaner cut. Pruning shears are recommended for larger suckers, stems, and leaves to avoid damaging the main stem.
7. How To Prune Tomato Plants:
- Steps for pruning tomatoes include:
- Trim dead leaves.
- Remove bottom leaves to prevent soil-borne diseases.
- Pinch out suckers, prioritizing larger ones first.
- Optionally, prune back extra leaves to control size and stimulate fruit growth.
8. FAQs About Pruning Tomatoes:
- The FAQs cover various aspects, such as how much to prune, making tomato plants bushy, when to top plants, cutting dead leaves, thinning plants, and pinching off tomato flowers.
In conclusion, while pruning tomatoes may seem daunting to some, it is a valuable practice for ensuring healthy, productive plants. With the right knowledge and techniques, anyone can master the art of tomato pruning and enjoy bountiful harvests.
