Tomatoes are one of the most popular veggies because of their outstanding taste! I see them in almost every greenhouse or garden, which is where my desire to grow them came from!
I’ve always preferred fresh vegetables from my own yard rather than store-bought ones. I can tell you tomatoes are quite easy to maintain. The most important part of cultivation is actually pruning!
If you do this part of the job correctly, you can always expect a lot of new and healthy fruits.
You’ll have so many of them that you’ll run out of space to store them!
There’s a catch! It’s very important to do this process the right way because if you make one little mistake, you can say goodbye to healthy tomato growth. That’s why you’ll need to avoid these mistakes at all costs!
#1 Always Make Sure That Your Tools Are Clean And Tidy
If you use rusty tools during pruning, there’s a chance that your plants will be damaged. That’s why it’s important to have clean, sharp gear at your home.
Before using them on tomatoes, you can take a piece of paper and do a little test. If they cut cleanly on the first try, then there’s no need to sharpen them.
You also need to clean your tools more often! Pruning infected fruit can easily spread infections to your healthy plants. Wash them with warm water and soap, and they’re ready to go!
Bear that in mind next time you go trimming!
#2 Choose The Right Time
You should never prune when it’s hot outside. Especially during the afternoon! This can only cause stress to the plants and lead to wilted leaves.
That’s why it’s best to leave pruning for the morning. Set an alarm, get up, and finish this task before the temperatures become unbearable. Not really a morning person? No problem, you can do it in the evening too!
#3 Don’t Prune Wet Tomatoes
If it rained the night before pruning, leave it for another day! If you prune while the leaves are wet, you could attract fungi to your tomatoes! They will slow down your plant’s growth, which is not good at all!
It’s best to wait until the leaves are completely dry and then proceed with cutting. This way, you will make sure that unwanted guests won’t ruin your mood.
If you live in a place where it’s rainy all the time, you’ll need to prune this way! Clean your tools with alcohol and start cutting carefully. After that, check them daily to see if there are any pests!
#4 Try Not To Overdo Plant Trimming
It’s important to know how to prune correctly! If you overdo it, a lot of problems could arise, such as sunburn on plants, reduced fruit yield, and a less desirable taste!
That’s why it’s crucial never to remove more than one-third of the leaves at once. Thinning them out allows heat to reach the tomatoes more easily! It’s always a good idea to proceed step by step. This way, you ensure faster and healthier growth!
#5 Avoid Pruning Determinate Varieties
You should always check which variety you are dealing with before pruning. Determinate varieties should never be cut! Do you know why? They stop growing at a certain height. You can recognize them by their bushy shape.
This type of fruit grows at the ends of the plant’s branches, and that’s exactly why you should avoid pruning. Otherwise, you might ruin your juicy tomatoes! Just be careful and check which variety is on the seed packet before planting.
#6 Stay Away From Cutting The Wrong Stems
Focus on the shoots and leaves while pruning! If they are smaller than two inches, you won’t need tools, you can simply pinch them off with your fingers!
Just don’t cut off the main stem. Only remove the top! This will help the plant to put more effort into producing new fruits! As for the leaves, remove those at the bottom.
#7 From Pruning To The Juiciest Harvest
After following these steps, you can expect the best harvest! Prepare your baskets because you’ll have plenty of delicious fruits. There will be so many of them that you’ll be able to surprise your friends and share your juicy veggies!
Wash and sort them in your kitchen. But first, make a fresh salad or use them in your favorite recipes. Nothing can replace homemade tomatoes!
With these amazing tricks, you’ll become a real professional when it comes to pruning! You’ll avoid all the common mistakes and enjoy juicy fruits!
Now, grab your gardening tools and start pruning your veggies. Don’t leave your tomatoes waiting!
Happy pruning!