How to Prune Tomato Plants to Get More Tomatoes

If you're looking to increase your tomato yield and grow healthier plants, pruning is an essential technique to try. While it may seem intimidating at first, pruning is a straightforward process that can be learned with a little practice. Follow these guidelines to start pruning your tomato plants to get more tomatoes:

1. Understand the Basics of Tomato Plant Growth

Before you start pruning, it's important to have a grasp of how tomato plants grow. Tomatoes grow as vines that produce foliage, flowers, and fruits on new growth. The main stem of the plant sprouts secondary stems called "suckers" or "shoots" that emerge from the joint where a leaf meets the main stem. Suckers can grow into new fruit-bearing branches, but they also consume nutrients that your plant could be using to grow stronger and produce more fruit.

2. Identify the Suckers

To start pruning your tomato plants, you'll need to identify the suckers. Suckers are easy to spot, as they grow in the joint between a leaf and the main stem. They're initially small and supple, but they can grow and become thick and tough. When they're still young, it's best to pinch them off with your fingers.

3. Pinch off the Bottom Suckers

The first set of suckers that sprout from the base of the tomato plant's main stem should be removed as soon as possible. These bottom suckers often form lower down the stem, and they tend to grow into non-fruiting branches that can drain vital energy from the plant. Pinch them off using your fingers or pruning shears.

4. Remove the Excess Vegetation

Another key to pruning is to remove excess foliage from your tomato plants. Leaves that grow too tightly together or too close to the fruit can block sunlight and air circulation, leading to problems like disease or pests. Try to keep only as much foliage as you need to support the plant, and remove leaves that grow lower down on the stem. Keep in mind that you also want to maintain some foliage to help protect the fruit from sunscald.

5. Prune Regularly to Promote Growth

Pruning your plants should be a consistent practice throughout the growing season. As your tomato plants grow, continue to remove any new suckers that emerge. Regular pruning will force your plants to focus energy on producing fruit rather than growing unnecessary foliage. It will also keep your plants better aerated, which can reduce potential problems like fungus and disease.

6. Leave Some Suckers to Develop into Fruit-Bearing Branches

It's essential to find a balance between pruning and letting your tomato plants thrive. Don't prune to the extent that there's no new growth or you'll end up with a sparse, unproductive plant. Remember that some suckers will eventually develop into fruit-bearing branches. Leave a few to grow into new branches, but only if they're spaced out from each other enough to get adequate sunlight and air circulation.

Conclusion

Pruning tomato plants can be a bit tricky at first, but once you get the hang of it, it's a beneficial practice that can yield plenty of rewards. Removing excess vegetation and suckers will allow your plants to concentrate their energy on producing more fruit, and healthier plants will result in a more bountiful harvest for your family to enjoy.