Why Shake Tomato Plants

Tomatoes are one of the most popular vegetables (or fruits, depending on how you classify them) to grow in a home garden. They are relatively easy to care for, yield a lot of produce and taste delicious. However, to get the most out of your tomato plants, it is important to know when and why to shake them.

What is Shaking?

Shaking tomato plants involves gently shaking the plant and its branches to encourage pollination. Since tomatoes are self-pollinating, they do not require bees or other pollinators to transfer pollen from the male to the female parts of the plant. However, the plant may need a little help to ensure that pollen is spread evenly throughout the flowers. Shaking the branches helps to loosen the pollen and distribute it across the flowers more effectively.

When to Shake

The best time to shake tomato plants is during the flowering stage. This usually occurs about four to six weeks after transplanting the seedlings into the garden. If you are growing your plants from seeds, the flowering stage will usually begin when the plants are about 12 to 18 inches tall.

The goal is to shake the plants at least once a day during the flowering stage. This will encourage the flowers to set and produce more fruit. Once the plants begin to produce fruit, you can reduce the shaking to about once a week.

How to Shake

Shaking tomato plants is a simple process that requires no special tools or equipment. You can use your hand or a small stick to gently tap the branches and stem of the plant. If you have a large garden, you may need to invest in a tool such as a vibrating wand or electric toothbrush to make the process a bit easier and more efficient.

Be sure to shake the plant gently to avoid damaging the flowers or knocking off any fruit that has already set. It is also important to shake the entire plant, including the lower branches that are close to the ground.

The Benefits of Shaking

Shaking tomato plants can have several benefits. Firstly, it helps to encourage pollination and ensure that your plants produce a maximum yield of fruit. Secondly, it can help to prevent the flowers from becoming too tightly packed together, which can lead to a condition known as blossom end rot.

Finally, shaking tomato plants can also help to strengthen the stems and branches. The slight movement can stimulate the development of thicker, stronger stalks that can support the heavy fruit later in the season.

Conclusion

Shaking tomato plants is an easy and effective way to encourage pollination and ensure that your plants produce a maximum yield of fruit. It is important to shake the plants gently during the flowering stage, using your hand or a small stick. Be sure to shake the entire plant, including the lower branches close to the ground. The benefits of shaking include preventing blossom end rot and strengthening the stems and branches to support heavy fruit later in the season.