Tomato plants produce “bigger” fruit if gardening is done before the end of summer

Tomato plants are nearing the end of their growing season and there are plenty of ripe fruits ready to be harvested, but there is a simple measure that can result in higher crop yields.

Gardeners should remember to pull out the side shoots (also called suckers) of their tomato plants before the end of summer to prevent the plant from wasting energy on new shoots that do not have time to grow.

Toni, gardener and founder of Simple Frugal Life, told us that pinching tomato shoots also results in “bigger” fruit because the plant puts its remaining energy into forming the existing fruit.

She explains: “If you let your side shoots grow and don't pinch them out, the plants can become very heavy, tangled and can be difficult to manage and control.”

She added: “The plant puts its energy into fruit production rather than developing new leaves. If too many stems grow from the plant, this can also lead to a reduction in the air supply to the plants, increasing the risk of disease.”

How to pinch out shoots on tomato plants

Shoots that need to be removed are easy to identify because they grow between the main stem of the tomato plant and the leafy branches.

You only need to pinch the shoot out with your fingers, but for larger side shoots you may need a sharp pair of garden shears to cut them off.

Toni said: “It's easier to pinch the shoots off when they're small. You can just press your finger and thumb together, literally as if you were pinching something off, at the base of the shoot at the stem, and the shoots will come off quite easily.”

Check your tomato plants at least twice a week until the end of the growing season, as more pronounced side shoots are more difficult to remove.

If you are dealing with a large side shooter, be sure to wipe the scissors with alcohol to reduce the risk of disease.

Toni said: “The advantage of cutting out young shoots is that there are fewer scars left on the plant and the risk of disease infection is reduced.”

Once you've cut the shoots, you can add them to your compost or garden container, but don't leave them on the ground as rotting plant material can attract slugs.

To produce larger yields, it's important to prune tomatoes regularly a few times a week in late summer, but don't do it all at once, as removing too many leaves at once can cause plant stress.

If you prefer, many gardeners also pinch the top of their tomato plants in late summer to control the plant's growth so it can focus on ripening the fruit as well as getting better air circulation and sunlight.

Toni said: “Some people also pinch off the upward-growing tip of the plant once the tomato has at least five or six trusses, especially later in the season. This helps the plant to put all its energy into growing and ripening the fruit.

“Other gardeners leave them until there are seven or eight panicles, as some varieties grow faster than others and it also depends on how early you sowed and planted them.”