How to Prune Tomatoes for MAXIMUM yield (and Other Tomato Tips) | Roots and Refuge Farm

[@heatherc2614]

Every year my tomatoes would get all sorts of disease and die, I thought my soil was the problem. Last year I followed this pruning advice and I didn’t loose any plants!🌱🍅

[@davecarr1939]

disease in tomatoes plants is always soil borne. if you fix your soil (and/or mulch heavily) you wont have those problems.

[@CapedCrusader77]

I'm literally outdoors, on a stool in front of the tomatoes!!! We are watching your video before I prune so I don't mess up! I'm in zone 7b and the humidity is no joke.

[@loveishope4406]

Did pruning yield more tomatoes?

[@hereweare9011]

Same rn lol

[@davecarr1939]

with high humidity areas, top dress with sand, then mulch over that and you will have almost no diseases.

[@DavidFaux-v8m]

@@hereweare9011❤

[@Steinru73]

I found you on a search. We haven’t had a veggie garden in years. I’ve forgotten a lot of what I used to know. 🤦🏽‍♀️Now that we’re empty nesters we thought we’d start up again. Little veggies gardens this time. I love your videos. You’re such easy person to listen to and explain tips and tricks so well. Your video of “ Every Gardener Needs A Chair” is so perfect. Only gardeners get it. Thank you for doing these videos.

[@dougsimon9788]

Hi Jess, I am a beginner at gardening. I have been viewing videos on pruning tomatoes and I must say you are by far the most informative and articulate. I love your presentation and that you were generous with your time and care to develop clear and concise visuals. I really felt your passion not just about your garden but to help others achieve success and not one word was wasted. In my book that is exceptional! Thank you! I will be subscribing to your channel. Thank you so much!

[@mariae6942]

I agree with you. She is an excellent teacher!!

[@alexjxn6329]

Agreed

[@janehernon]

Hi Jess, I love, love, love your videos. I think that you are the Martha Stewart of homesteading! Your thorough explanation of every aspect of homesteading is WONDERFUL! I am not a homesteader but I love to learn and you are a GREAT teacher! You inspire me through every one of your videos. Never stop sharing your gift! I BLESS YOU!

[@yumyum408]

I LOVE watching Charles Downing also. He's so knowledgable...and a cute awkward personality that sometimes makes me giggle.

[@stargazer3467]

Jane, I so agree with you. I think Jess is just the cutest ever along with being so knowledgeable. I’m 75 and just starting with raised beds now that we have the space to for them. My husband is building them for me as a Mothers Day gift! In Ohio we have high humidity so I really appreciate this video. Happy planting!!

[@lindagriffin2862]

DITTO!!!!

[@chrismugleston8625]

Jess blows martha stewart away.

[@californianorma876]

I just found her today. I'm so lucky!!! Inspirational is right!

[@ronclarke154]

Not only a wealth of knowledge but able to express it so well

[@billturner4427]

I have to say, you are the best teacher I have heard. I am 70 years old, living in Tulsa and have grown tomatoes for many years. I really enjoyed your tutorial. Thank you! I will search for all your videos.

[@jp-hh9xq]

I think this is a record number of watches for me! I think I have watched this video like 10 times, which is probably the most I have ever watched a single video this long. Why? I keep recommending to friends! I originally watched it in 2019-2020 winter, to plan what I was going to do to the garden this year (2020) as I was planning on expanding it. I went completely vertical with my garden expansion based on your videos. I did a lot of research but you had me convinced to proceed with going up instead of out. In Michigan here the tomatoes are about to ripen, any day now. My garden looks so amazing thanks to you and people have been asking how to do it, so I share your link! Each time I do, I end up re-watching your video. I think I just like to be clear in my mind what I am recommending and sharing and reinforce the knowledge I already have. This video is perfect honestly. Others have good ones too, really good ones, but this is probably the best guide to pruning tomatoes vertically that exists. Fantastic job! Edited to add: It isn't "probably" the best guide. That was lame. I just finished it again, and it is simple the best guide to pruning I have ever seen and I have watched a ton. So clear and every base covered. Again, great job!

[@RootsandRefugeFarm]

Thank you so much for this! such an encouragement. Congrats on the awesome garden!

[@avaloncar18]

New gardener here. I mistakenly cut/pruned my determinate plant last year and I cried for two days 😂😂. Learned my lesson.

[@jaykarvaski2952]

Jess, I just wanted to thank you because basically everything I know about growing perfect tomatoes is because of you. I checked out dozens of other videos and none were more informative than yours. Thank you so much and I hope all the best comes to you and your farm because you deserve it.

[@GrowFamilyNetwork]

Good job sharing the information most beginner gardeners would pay to have:)......

[@debbie2845]

I am trying to make sure what you said about Determinate tomato plants. Are you not supposed to prune them at all? Not even the bottom twenty inches to prevent diseases

[@GrowFamilyNetwork]

@@debbie2845 Did I say that or MS Jess?? I think as long as you stake them well they should be okay

[@EmenceMcCoy]

Thank you for existing. I binge watch your episodes on bad days & you really help lift it. Life has been busy & hectic for a while now & everything has been steadily getting more stressful & my mindset worse. As i had little time to keep up with your videos i now have a few to help get me through today. Thank you for helping. & teaching me about tomatoes. :) Greetings from a rainy day in Oregon.

[@cottingwhite7784]

I used to NEVER prune...wasn't "natural" but I'm a convert. Here I am in piedmont Carolina. Humid hot full of mildew. So NOW I prune to air flow . I've had epic successful success by pruning. I'm so happy with them. Joy joy joy!!!

[@earthiusproject]

me too

[@ms.hunter962]

Hey distant neighbor ! I work in Greenville and am moving to Six Mile soon !

[@D.A.Hanks14]

Yeah, I'm in CLT, so that was good advice.

[@tamster1735]

I am in Greenville, and this advice is so helpful!

[@sunnydayssandytoes4337]

3 yrs later and Im refreshing my tomato knowledge because this year and every yr prior has been a bust in our high humidity and heat. Im trying a last straw effoort and planted starts about 2 weeks ago as I live in North Florida and haven't had a success with any tomatoes except the Florda Everglade. Here's to still learning and trying again. And oh how much has changed since I followed you through the garden 3 yrs ago! I bless you.

[@emeryrowand2903]

I'm not sure if your trellis system allows this. It may seem odd, but if you can cover the tops of the plants with a 30% or 40% shadecloth, it takes some of the stress off the tomato plants and they will set better fruit and often produce even more fruit because the plant is a little less stressed. Try it and you will thank me!

[@lesliemoller9681]

JESS YOU ROCK! I've always been taught if you're going to do something, do it right the first time. My salsa garden with potted toms are going to be so happy this novice gardener is listening to a well learned caring person of God's creation. Learners are teachers and teachers are learners. Thank you for sharing knowledge and heart! So enjoy your expressions, makes me laugh.

[@davewmck]

I plant suckers directly into potting mix in the plastic containers that I brought the original starter plants home in. In 4 or 5 weeks they are ready to plant out and they seem to grow and set fruit faster. Thanks for your content.

[@dhgrazer]

I found out that you can immediately put those suckers in some loose moisty soil, and they will grow as well

[@christineellis5058]

Wow. What a great way to multiply your crop and save $!!

[@shirlebug]

Dave Womack nice info Dave

[@GenXInvestor]

Thanks for sharing your knowledge. I'm going to try that this week.

[@shirlebug]

Dave Womack I am working on a peach sucker right now

[@joyfulkimh8961]

Excellent video! I feel like I just went to Tomato University. Thank you!

[@jacquelineg.3437]

HAHA! This is exactly how I felt! great video!

[@michaelslack5269]

Was just gonna say... : )

[@californianorma876]

definitely, I was thinking - BEST tomato video, very thorough. I can't think of a question!! Excellent. God bless !

[@The-Ancestral-Cucina]

Jacqueline G. Exactly!!!

[@gardencookeat22]

She has an older video talking about tomatoes. It is definitely a teaching lesson.

[@constantinevanghele9264]

You are good! I work at a Ganims Garden Center in Fairfield Connecticut. A family garden center thats been in business for 80 years. I've been there 33 years. I run the veggie Dept and every day I explain everything you say,all day long to every customer I can. I try to get to every customer anyway. What a task! Education is everything. I think we have 80 varieties of tomato at least 20 varieties of lavender and rosemary same with sage and tyme. We have every herb that will grow in 6b from A-W. In fact no one has more than us except the greenhouses we buy from. And it's only me in the veggie Dept. Watching your videos is refreshing.

[@thepatsyfamily]

You are a wealth of knowledge. Just found your channel, LOVE it! So much good info. Beautiful garden.

[@RootsandRefugeFarm]

Thank you!

[@6980869]

That was a great video that did not stop in producing useful information, all the way to the end. Thank you for that and thank you for explaining in detail why you do the things that you do. A lot of people aren’t going into depth as much, and you’ve touched up on things that many people Had glossed over when creating their videos. No luck needed here, just some brains and good observational skills for a productive harvest, & now we can follow in tow, w/that same knowledge. It makes it so easy to want to take in the consideration what somebody says when it’s obvious that they know what they’re talking about, like you do. Thanks again to the rest of you guys watching this and contributing through commenting. Aloha!

[@BrokeUrbanFarmer]

Your tips on tomato pruning have saved my tomatoes! Just a few days after pruning I had an explosion of buds! So stoked!

[@phillipmerritt1428]

I was looking on KZbin, for ways to prune tomato plants and found this video. Thank you for taking the time and give them the detail instructions. It’s one of the very best I saw on pruning tomatoes. I’m going to be a follower now thank you.

[@judywells8684]

You are the best at teaching us about effectively growing tomatoes!!! Your info flows so well and it is very pertinent and to the point plus your enthusiasm for this passion is evident. I just know my tomatoes this year will finally be more productive and healthier!!! Thank you so, so much!!!

[@monicacespedes4406]

You are my GARDEN GODESS, thank you for all the education you provide me with!!!!!!

[@619Media]

Okay, that's the best description I've gotten for determinate vs indeterminate that I may actually remember in the future!

[@vanessapym3838]

Wow! Thank you so much for such generosity with your knowledge and understanding! I have been a tomato forest grower for years, but due to the business of every day life, unable to get around to pruning my plants before they get all wild and crazy! Lol... this year I have been able to take the time, and with your amazing advice and knowledge, put into practice what I hope will lend to a prolific harvest! It is invaluable and I am sending you all the gratitude 🙏! Thank you!

[@timme9569]

I had about 6 tomato plants i let split into two vines. It sure is a task to keep up with the suckers. I had a yellow tomato plant that i accidentally broke the top off and it produced some pretty good size fruit. Just have to go with the flow sometimes. Thanks for all the great info, love watching your videos.

[@elsabiodelmundo]

I just got home from our annual family vacation. After a week my tomatoes have grown like weeds! I just came in from pruning them and was so excited to see you posted this!

[@tlee717]

I’ve been gardening for 20 years and I definitely appreciate your video

[@missmel9605]

What a WEALTH of information! Best tomato video I’ve ever watched. I’m a newbie ...so helpful

[@amandabarnes5235]

Thanks Jess! I was always a little confused about the "sucker" thing.

[@rosslocincam9916]

My Dad from Scotland called them laterals, to be picked off to ensure good plant growth. Learned much from this excellent work thanks.

[@bullfrogswamphomestead9563]

Best tomato pruning video on KZbin, not (only how to ) but (why to prune). Thanks JESS!

[@FloridaGrownAdventure]

I needed this video. My tomato plants started flowering and as a new gardener, I basically have no idea what I’m doing. 😂 Thank you!

[@dhgrazer]

never mind the not knowing.... even experiencedgardners are still learning little tricks to get their plants even better. If you do right.... you know how to do it..... if you do wrong..... you already know what not to do. so either way??? it keeps you learning. even making mistakes can be helpfull with planting

[@nitabaker9851]

This is my third season of trying a garden. Such an expensive hobby because most of my plant I kill! You’ll most likely read my comments, let alone respond, but you’re my teacher and friend☀️🌈🐝🌻🦋🌷

[@CynCopeland-TheAnswerIsMeat]

G'day from Oz! Thank you! I'm finally seeing results from our tomato plants and had an inkling I should be doing something other than speaking nicely to them and telling them they're beautiful. Now, I've checked their armpits, made some necessary trims and I look forward to a long lived, healthy and prolific plant!

[@karaedwards4960]

Thanks for this video. Got out and pruned my tomatoes a few days ago and they tripled in size ! Great tips!

[@tinamccartney3778]

Will for sure send my daughter-in-love straight to your channel. She and my son have their 1st garden and I want them to learn from the best teacher possible! Thanks for being so informative and easy to listen to!

[@aarons8391]

Very informative video! Thank you for posting it. I learned several new things from this one!

[@ramonalee1]

What a lot of great information! I love that you explain why you prune where you do because I can use my common sense now and do it instead of trying to remember a random fact.

[@therusticranchgarden]

oh my goodness, thanks for all that info. I have learned so much with you on growing and pruning my tomatoes. I didn't know that determinate tomatoes should NOT be pruned. Still learning. Thank you so much. God Bless you, Bertha in TEXAS

[@lorraineesposito1017]

Hi from New York city, I absolutely love your channel. Thanks for sharing with us all. I can't wait to move south and have a magical garden just like yours one day, for now I'll just live vicariously through you.

[@cindik8017]

I absolutely needed this video today Jess! Thank you for sharing your knowledge in a way that isn’t over my head. It’s difficult to start cutting the plants that I started from seed. I was a little afraid to do it until now! Bless you and yours, anxious for Saturday’s garden tour❤️

[@ZZ-uf4zv]

Me and my wife just got into gardening this year and tomatoes are the crop of choice, we have watched alot of your videos and have been learning a ton from your channel. Just wanna say thanks for what you do and keep up the fantastic videos.

[@juliecox647]

I have done my tomato pruning like this for as long as I can remember, just because that is how I was taught. It was great to hear the why though.....is it weird I never questioned it? The idea to top them when you may run out of time is new though and will be very useful! ( I live in the frigid north area you speak of!!)

[@izholmes]

I live in the frigid north too and agree, the topping off advice was very helpful to hear (especially the explanation why). Thank you Jess!

[@49lucky]

I'm in the frigid north also and already topped off mine.

[@rcireland]

You'e a natural born teacher. Awesome channel!

[@BroadwayGardener]

I’m definitely going with this method this year. Thanks for the tips!

[@michaelmcdowell6792]

Thank You: You covered a lot of information and presented it clearly so it can be appreciated by many kinds of consumers. I hope to explore your channel some more to find useful nuggets of fun facts.

[@emilydawn6412]

You have a very nice clear voice, great speaking style and you're a great teacher. I appreciate all that because I have some trouble usually paying attention, but not this video. I learned to raise tomatoes with my mother and grandfather mostly beefsteaks that were huge up to 4 lbs each fruit. Thanks so much for refreshing my memory, I can't wait to get things going soon!

[@RootsandRefugeFarm]

Thank you so much!

[@FireflyXOXO1]

So for the FIRST time I truly understand where the sucker are on my tomatoes!!!!! Thank you

[@darleenenewton6139]

Girl! You are the FIRST PERSON, that I've come across that explains why my hands are ALWAYS BLACK. I just thought I must be allergic to them, Thank you so much!!!!!!

[@trinawilliams4695]

This was one of the best videos that explained pruning in simple language. You have become one of my favorites on YT

[@RootsandRefugeFarm]

Thank you so much!

[@ldg2655]

I've been growing tomatoes ( off and on) for 30 years and i learned a couple of new things today... Thanks!

[@marilynj8280]

Love your term "arm pit". That made sense to me. I will be able to keep that in my head.

[@MamboDogFace]

I just got my tomato starts into the ground last week, and I came for a refresher education on pruning :) I love your approach and the way you present information! The tip on throwing the prunings into a stock or sauce for flavor is great, I love getting the maximum from the garden... yay!

[@ccgilman]

This is the most informative video I’ve ever seen on tomatoes. And it wasn’t boring! Thank you for this,

[@Magpiesandshooflies]

Thank you for sharing all your research and experience with us!

[@elsie9649]

4 year old video and I learned something new. Thanks Jess

[@Robs346]

Never knew about topping tomato plants to stop growth etc. helpful info !

[@schex9]

I didn't know that topping them would help ripening

[@Robs346]

I’m definitely gonna to top my plants they get out of hand

[@jborrego2406]

Does that mean once u pick the tomato’s it won’t grow more

[@aliciaspears7847]

FINALLY !!! somebody actually shows what a sucker is ! Lol I will never forget - it's in the armpit Thank you so much ! Was able to properly prune my plants because of this video

[@HamiltonvilleFarm]

Great technique. Thanks for sharing👍

[@jefffernandez678]

Thank you for your advice! I live in Houston area and have been here 12 years after leaving California where I could grow anything I wanted it seemed.here I have struggled with tomatoes due to the heat. Last year my strategy for growing tomatoes was to put a whole bunch of determinate varieties (Roma + homestead, a supposed heat loving variety) in the ground in early spring. By June I was up to my eyeballs in tomatoes, so I would say it was my successful year since I have been in Texas!

[@BeautifulOaks]

I like that you showed multiple views of pruning indeterminate tomato plants because I like to be sure I get the principle of doing it right and since shoots come up where they feel like it. I am concerned about adding tomato leaves to foods, and sauces because I have always been taught at home and in a Plants and People Biology course that only the tomato fruit is edible and not anything else of the plant. I am sure the leaves lend a great aroma to foods and the fact you are still doing great vlogs show that you are alive is good to see. I hope it stays that way because your vlogs are better, interesting and a breath of fresh air to most of what’s on TV. Best wishes to you and your garden!

[@sarahnoah8741]

I just watched this and after watching a handful of videos on how to prune tomato plants, I SEE IT! I get it! Thank you, Jess. Big day for me :)

[@sandymorley8365]

Jess - Soooooooo excited to grow my tomatoes this year after learning all of this AMAZING information. Now I know why I’ve never had super luck growing them because of so many of the factors you described here. I love ALL of your videos, but I must say, this tutorial was EXCEPTIONALLY well done. Thank you!!!!

[@jp-hh9xq]

Best 20 minute, information packed, tomato pruning video ever. Thank you. My notes are 2 pages long!

[@independentlea8558]

Thank you for sharing. Really appreciate the knowledge you share. :)

[@cheri7403]

This is the best tomato care video I've seen. Thank you so much for all this useful info!

[@kaleflower2319]

Thank you for this post...I need this! I am going to trim my tomato plants today. Thanks, sis for your help. I watched your other tomato plants post aspirin and molasse worked great for me. Much love and have a great day.

[@mstyblu379]

Hi Jess, I've shared this video with several friends and my oldest daughter who is planting tomatoes for the first time. I always had a huge garden and can answer most of her questions, but seeing your very in-depth and informative video was very helpful to her. She was amazed at all the information you provided so I thank you Jess.

[@leslieMClass80]

Thank you Jess! As always, very informative!

[@mattperryman1948]

Love your videos! I live in central Arkansas also, and your videos have been a help. I always prune the bottom and plant deeper, it makes for a much better root system. And, here in Arkansas when it gets hot n dry, I've noticed by doing that, my tomatoes handle the heat better n don't require as much water. Thanks for your videos!

[@janweaver327]

I have watched a heck of a lot of gardening videos and you have the best, most informative, easiest to watch videos with little extra tidbits of knowledge you don’t get anywhere else. Don’t know where you have learned all of these gems but thank you so much for sharing with the rest of us. Keep cranking these out because I’m anxiously waiting for the next one.

[@RootsandRefugeFarm]

Thank you so much!

[@northernsouljourneys-thelo7698]

I finally understand what suckers are! This is my first year growing tomatoes and they're growing well, but these tips gave me more confidence.

[@catherineanderson3393]

I was wondering, I am new to gardening also and wondered if there is a way to know when you stop taking the suckers? Or does there become more blossoms at the top of the plant?

[@pattyg4866]

Thank you Jess for sharing all your knowledge. This year because of all your tips and tricks, we decided to go big and adding 4 more garden beds with 4 arches throughout our garden. I’m so excited to get out there. I’ve learned so much more watching your videos, thank you and may Jehovah bless you and your family ❤️❤️

[@lyndapierce2333]

Thanks for all your expert advice,can’t wait to actually grow some 🍅 tomatoes.So much information I had no idea about.❤️❤️❤️

[@heathershaffer6148]

I've been gardening for decades and I learned SO much from your tomato growing videos! You've done a great job and obviously tons of research and experience. Thanks so much and I can't wait to watch the rest of your videos.

[@Jckay2003]

the best “how to care for tomato plants” video on you tube. thanks

[@joedes2000]

You are a tomato goddess! Thanks for sharing. Most informative videos I’ve seen for home gardening ❤️🚜

[@pattyclarkson3]

So happy you put this video out. Perfect timing for me. My tomato plants are just getting to this stage as well and I knew that you have this process but wasn't sure of all the details. THANK YOU VERY MUCH!! :)

[@samanthaquant7411]

I thought I was going to already know everything you were going to say in this video since I’ve seen your others and I’ve grown tomatoes for 6 years now, but I wanted to watch anyway because I like hanging out with you. Turns out, you taught me some stuff I didn’t know!!

[@lc6513]

Ditto!!

[@s30123]

This is by FAR the best explained and most useful video on tomatoes I have ever watched... All your videos are amazing, you went above and beyond with this one... You were clear and precise on the information and techniques that you use... Thank so so so much for the video.... Could you please make this a series? How to plant and prune peppers, rhubarb, lettuce, kale etc

[@stlisthecity]

Never thought I’ll be on KZbin for this but glad I’m here. These are some great videos

[@maries322]

Best tomato pruning explanation I’ve watched!!! Thank you for being so thorough!❤️

[@EvaDoubleMama]

You should have called this video : everything you wanted to know about tomatoes but were afraid to ask! I have few plants and I feel confident now to prune them! However I want to leave one to bush and see the difference in growth and fruit! Thanks for the information!!

[@sharonh.5586]

Wow, your explanations are so clear, and I love all the tidbits of knowledge you throw in! I just loved this video and will look for more of your videos!

[@sylviapatton192]

I finally got it! Determinate and nondeterminate! Thanks for the great explanation!!

[@plants4ever48]

The best tomato pruning video I’ve ever come across!!🌱☀️

[@wanderingtent]

This is such a great reference for tomato pruning. Whenever I prune tomatoes I point people towards this video. You are a natural teacher. Thanks.

[@southernautorestorationllc743]

Hi Jess, I'm from Hot Springs and ive been trying to find a video with Arkansas gardening because ya know our climate is rather strange. Thanks for the great video!!

[@bernadettehearn3023]

Perfect timing Jess we are 3 weeks to winter and I was wondering how to get the last of the tomatoes to ripen. Thanks for the tomato tutorial...

[@kimberlya1793]

This video is so incredibly helpful! I have always struggled with tomatoes and no one really explains them well. This is going to help me so much. Thank you!

[@ogadlogadl490]

Who knows how to prune but just watched because it Jess?

[@RootsandRefugeFarm]

❤️

[@KatJonesCrochet]

I think I'm on my third rewatching of this episode, I like to come back to it whenever my tomatoes hit a new stage 🖤

[@hauoleguyify]

So you’re saying I did everything wrong and that’s why I didn’t get any decent tomatoes last year. 😂 I’ll try it your way next time. Great information and you explain it so well. Thank you!

[@jennp5130]

You have made me want to grow my own tomatoes. I have started in containers and I am so excited to continue watching your videos.

[@lindseycarman5268]

Between you and Garden Answer’s almost identical video I feel like I just learned everything I’ll ever need to know! Thanks!

[@FarmGirlInProgress]

Love learning from you Jess! I would love to spend a day or two in the garden with you and just learn everything I can

[@PrairiePlantgirl]

I’ve never heard of effaciated blossoms. Great tip.

[@lisa-marieshy9673]

Amazing information 👏 I am new to growing tomatoes and bought a Beefsteak plant a couple weeks ago. This by far was the best most informative video yet I've come across to prune my Beefcake ( we named him lol). Thanks so much from 🇨🇦

[@susanbridge7142]

So accessible and informed, easy to understand, and really on point to issues I have had but never had a solution for! Thanks and I'm now subscribed!

[@brokenhippie8867]

Thank you for taking your time and explaining. You have a nice pace for distributing information.