How to Sucker Tomato Plants

Tomatoes are a popular crop to grow in home gardens, and with good reason. Not only are they delicious, but they are also high in nutrients. To get the most out of your tomato plants, it's important to sucker them. Suckering is the process of removing the shoots that grow between the main stem and the leaves. This helps the plant to focus its energy on producing fruit, rather than on growing unnecessary foliage. In this article, we'll take a closer look at how to sucker tomato plants and why it's important.

Why Sucker Tomato Plants

Suckering your tomato plants has many benefits. First and foremost, it helps the plant to produce more fruit. By removing the shoots that grow between the main stem and the leaves, you are redirecting the plant's energy towards producing fruit instead of unnecessary foliage. This can lead to larger, healthier tomatoes. Suckering also improves air circulation around the plant, which can help prevent diseases like blight and wilt. Additionally, removing the suckers makes it easier to harvest the fruit, as there is less foliage in the way.

When to Sucker Tomato Plants

It's important to start suckering your tomato plants when they are young. As soon as the plants are about a foot tall and have several sets of leaves, you should start removing the suckers. This will allow the plant to develop a strong central stem and focus its energy on producing fruit. Suckering should be done throughout the growing season, as new suckers will continue to appear. It's particularly important to sucker the plants once they begin to flower, as this is when they will need to redirect their energy towards producing fruit.

How to Sucker Tomato Plants

Suckering tomato plants is a simple process, but it does require some care. The best time to sucker your plants is in the morning, when the foliage is dry. Here's how to do it:

Locate the suckers on your tomato plant. These are the shoots that grow between the main stem and the leaves.

Using a pair of sharp scissors or pruning shears, carefully remove the sucker. Be sure to cut it off as close to the stem as possible to avoid damaging the plant.

If the sucker is particularly large, you may need to use a sawing motion to remove it. Be careful not to damage the stem of the plant.

Repeat the process throughout the growing season as new suckers appear.

Conclusion

Suckering your tomato plants is an important step in growing healthy, productive plants. By removing the unnecessary foliage, you allow the plant to focus its energy on producing delicious fruit. It's easy to do and can be done throughout the growing season. So, grab your scissors and get to suckering! Your taste buds (and plants) will thank you.