Should I Remove Suckers From Tomato Plants?

Tomatoes are a favorite of home gardeners and are versatile in their uses in the kitchen. Growing healthy tomato plants with a good yield requires a bit of work, including deciding whether or not to remove suckers from the plant. Suckers are the new growth that appears in the crotch between the main stem and a branch. Some gardeners swear by removing suckers, while others let them grow. Before you decide whether to remove suckers from your tomato plants, it’s helpful to know the pros and cons.

The Pros of Removing Suckers

There are several reasons why some gardeners prefer to remove suckers from their tomato plants:

Reduced competition for resources - By removing suckers, you ensure that the main stem gets the majority of the plant’s resources, including water, sunshine, and nutrients. This can lead to faster growth and higher yields of healthy, ripe tomatoes.

Better air circulation - Removing suckers also allows for better air circulation around the plant, which can help prevent diseases such as blight and reduce the risk of pest infestations.

Easier to manage - Having fewer stems to manage makes it easier to tie up and support the plant. It’s also easier to harvest ripe tomatoes when there are fewer branches in the way.

The Cons of Removing Suckers

However, there are also good reasons to keep suckers on your tomato plants:

More tomatoes - Suckers can eventually grow into fully productive branches that bear fruit. By removing them, you may be sacrificing potential tomatoes.

Resilience - Letting suckers grow can create a more resilient plant. If the main stem gets damaged, the plant can continue to thrive if there are other healthy branches.

Flavor - Some gardeners believe that allowing suckers to grow can actually enhance the flavor of the tomatoes.

Conclusion

Ultimately, the decision to remove suckers from your tomato plants is up to you. Consider the pros and cons of both options, and take a look at your own gardening goals and preferences. If you’re aiming for maximum yield and easy management, removing suckers may be the way to go. But if you value flavor and resilience, it may be better to let the suckers grow.

Remember that there are also some hybrid tomato varieties bred to naturally have fewer suckers, so if you’re not sure, do some research on the specific type of plants you’re growing. At the end of the day, the most important thing is to give your tomato plants the care and attention they need to produce a healthy and tasty crop.