Pruning your tomato plants is very essential for a high yield of fruit.

1. When your plant(s) reach a height of about three feet you need to start looking for suckers. You will find these almost always growing where the leaves or branches are connected to the plant. You can usually pinch these off with your first finger and thumb. If these are allowed to grow the will become the equivalent of another plant but they will take away from the growth of your fruit. To much greenery on your plant means less harvest.

2. You should keep the bottom leaves of your plants to a minimum. After your plants reach the height you want them you should take some leaves of up above also. Either break or cut the bottom leaves of the plant leaving one leaf below the bottom set of blossoms. When you prune the upper leaves make sure each set of blossoms has at least one leaf under it insuring that the blossoms will receive the proper nutrients. You may find that your tomato plants look better with more greenery but do you want looks or production?

3. Do not spray water directly onto your plants as this allows for blight and mold to set in which is dissastorous to your plants. This also another reason why you need to eliminate much of the greenery. With less leaves your plants have a better chance of drying after it rains if your plants are outdoors.

4. After the fruit begins to take shape you should pick off the little dried out blossom ends as these could cause problems.

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