How to Prune Tomato Plants During the Growing Season

Tomato plants can be found growing in almost every garden. Nothing tastes better than homegrown fresh tomatoes. Tomatoes are one of the easiest plants to grow and care for in the garden. People use tomatoes to make sauces, ketchup, salsa, or juice. They can be sliced and put on a sandwich, tossed into a salad, or eaten straight from the garden.

Types of Tomato Plants and Why You Prune

There are two types of tomatoes: Indeterminate which need staking or cages, and determinant, which require no staking. Indeterminate tomato plants may need a little extra care in order for them to grow and produce fruit. It is a controversial subject and not all gardeners agree. Some gardeners say that the tomato plants need to be trimmed, so that their energy goes into the making of fruit, instead of making leaves. They also say that it helps to improve the quality of the tomatoes. Although the yield will be less, the tomatoes are usually bigger and better quality. But on the flip side, if you don’t trim the tomato plants, you will get more tomatoes.

Prepare the Site

Before you plant the tomatoes, you’ll want to prepare the area. Amend the soil with 3 to 4-inches of organic compost. Work up the soil by tilling or digging it by hand with a garden fork. Tomatoes need soil that is well drained, loose, and light.

When you dig the holes for the tomato plants, dig them deep and at a slant. The hole should be as deep as the entire tomato plant except for the top two to four leaves. Roots form all along the stem, enabling them to absorb more moisture and nutrients from the soil. It also makes the stem of the tomato plant sturdier so it can survive the elements.

Watering

As you plant each tomato, give it a good drink of water. Place a layer of mulch over the soil and around the plants. You can use leaves, grass clippings, or newspaper that is five sheets thick. I use the weeds that I pull from my flowerbeds after I knock the dirt from the roots. Mulch helps the soil retain moisture, keep the weeds from growing and they will decompose into the soil.

The First Trim

When the tomato plants start growing and are about 12 inches high, it is time to pinch away the stems that are close to the ground. Leaves that touch the soil are more susceptible to disease.

The Second Trim

When the plant begins to form its first fruits, it is time to trim away side shoots that grow between the main stem and leaf stems. As you examine the tomato plants, prune away yellow or dead leaves.

The Third Pruning

As the season progresses, around July or August, cut off the growing tip of each stem. A truss refers to the tiny cluster of yellow flowers on the tomato plant. When the flowers whither and fall off, this is where the tomato develops. If your plant develops more than seven stems, pinch the extra off the plant.