How do you prune tomato plants?

Well, I think of "pruning" as something you do to woody plants. But you can pinch the suckers off tomato plants.



Showing you would be the simplest, or drawing you a picture, but since that's not possible, I'll do the best I can to describe it.



As the plant grows, it will grow alternating side branches. At the point where those side branches attach to the main stalk (the "croctch" as it were)...you'll eventually see a tiny new branch growing out from the middle of that junction. Just pinch it off with your thumb and forefinger.

How do you prune tomato plants?
I don't think "prune" is the right word. Most gardeners prefer the word"sucker" the tomato plants. The easiest way I can explain is, where the main stock of the plant and the first forming branches, as the plant grows, there will be new branches protruding in the V of the plant. This is the V where the main stock and the first forming branches meet. When this happens, pinch with your thumb and index finger and remove this new sprout. These new sprouts if not removed will take up the nutrients that the plant needs to mature and produce. If you let this new sprout get at least a little length to it, you can pinch it off, plant it and guess what? It will produce another tomato plant. Have a Great Garden.
Reply:YOU DON'T
Reply:It doesn't make sense to prune tomato plants. You don't really get anymore fruit by doing so. The only real reason to prune a tomato plant is to go for a world record size fruit. Then you want to go with a variety such as Delicious and prune off all of the other buds so that only one tomato grows on the plant.



I don't prune my tomato plants and my plants get twice as large as any of my neighbors' and produce at least twice as much. The real secret is watering well, fertilizing well (rabbit manure works great), and creating a large root system. The large root system can be created by a technique that I use to plant which is:



Create a trench instead of a hole. Buy a tall/linky young tomato plant. The taller ones work better because you can plant a few of the bottom inches of the stem in the ground. You'll notice nodules on the stem. If those are planted in the ground they will develop into roots, giving your tomato plant a better rooting system. You can lay the tall plant sideways in the hole then just angle the last part upwards so the portion above ground stands upright.
Reply:you shouldn't need to 'prune' them, you can pinch them back if they are getting too spindley, but if its spindley, its not getting enough light or getting too much nitrogen
Reply:you dont prune you use a steak or wire basket to tye them up

when they start getting blossoms you sucker them go to any garden web it will shoe you how.
Reply:The first Cat's answer is the one I was taught. Works well for establishing strength as well.

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