How to Make a Tomato Plant Bushy

If you’re looking to improve the yield and overall size of your tomato plants, one technique to consider is ‘bushifying’. This method involves pruning and training tomato plants to encourage a bushy growth habit, rather than a tall and spindly habit. Here are some tips on how to make a tomato plant bushy:

1. Start Early

If you want to grow a bushier tomato plant, you’ll want to start early. At the very beginning of the plant’s growth, you can pinch off the top tips of the plant to encourage branch development. Another helpful tip is to prune off any leaves or stems that are growing too close together, as this can help prevent overcrowding and promote even growth.

2. Choose the Right Variety

Not all tomato plants are created equal when it comes to bushiness. Look for varieties that are typically shorter and stockier, such as ‘Celebrity’, ‘Bush Early Girl’, or ‘Patio’. These types of tomatoes will naturally grow in a more compact manner, making them perfect for bushifying.

3. Stake and Support

Supporting your tomato plant with stakes or cages can help promote bushier growth. By keeping the plant upright and off the ground, you’ll be able to encourage better air circulation and make it easier to prune and train the plant. Stakes and cages can also help support the weight of the fruit, preventing branches from breaking under the strain.

4. Prune Regularly

One of the most important aspects of bushifying a tomato plant is regular pruning. As the plant grows taller, you’ll want to pinch off any ‘suckers’ – any new growth that sprouts at the junction between the branches and the main stem. This will redirect the plant’s energy towards the main branches, making them stronger and bushier.

5. Pinch and Train

To encourage the plant to grow bushy, it’s also helpful to pinch off the top tips of the main branches. This will cause the plant to put more energy into branching out from the sides, rather than continuing to grow taller. You can also train the branches to grow in a more horizontal pattern, which can help encourage more lateral growth and more fruit production.

6. Feed Regularly

Finally, make sure your tomato plant is getting the nutrients it needs to support bushier growth. Regular feeding with a balanced fertilizer, as well as supplementing with calcium and magnesium, can help promote strong and healthy branches. Make sure to follow the package instructions carefully, as over-fertilizing can actually harm the plant.

By following these tips, you can help turn your spindly tomato plant into a well-shaped and bushy specimen, with plenty of fruit to show for it!