How to Make Tomato Plants Bush Out

Tomato plants are a staple in many home gardens. However, they can become leggy and spindly if not cared for properly. If you want to make your tomato plants bush out and produce more fruit, there are a few simple steps you can take.

Choose the Right Variety

When selecting tomato plants to grow, it is important to choose a variety that is naturally bushy. Look for determinate varieties, which grow to a specific height and produce a large crop all at once. Indeterminate varieties will produce fruit continually and can become too tall and thin.

Plant Deeply

Before planting your tomato plants, dig a deep hole and bury the stem up to the first set of leaves. This will encourage the plant to grow roots along the buried stem, making it sturdier and more resistant to wind and rain. Be sure to remove any leaves that will be buried in the hole.

Prune Regularly

To keep your tomato plants bushy and well-shaped, you will want to prune them regularly. Remove any suckers or shoots that appear in the crotch between a branch and the main stem. These shoots will take away energy from the main stem and cause the plant to become thin and leggy. It is also important to remove any diseased or damaged leaves to prevent the spread of disease.

Support the Plants

If you want your tomato plants to produce lots of fruit, they will need support. Use a trellis or stake to keep the plants upright and to prevent the branches from breaking under the weight of the fruit. This will also help to prevent the plants from becoming too tall and thin.

Water and Fertilize Properly

Tomato plants need plenty of water and nutrients to produce a large crop of fruit. Water deeply once a week, or more frequently in hot weather. Use a fertilizer high in nitrogen to encourage leaf growth and then switch to a fertilizer high in phosphorus to encourage fruit production. Be careful not to over-fertilize, which can lead to too much foliage and fewer fruit.

Conclusion

If you follow these steps, your tomato plants will become bushier and produce a larger crop of fruit. Remember to choose the right variety, plant deeply, prune regularly, support the plants, and water and fertilize properly. With a little effort and care, you can enjoy a bountiful harvest of delicious tomatoes.