How to Prune Tomatoes for the Best Harvest

[@gcase08]

Best tomato pruning video on Yt, bar none. Clear with good visuals. Well done.

[@GardenerScott]

Thank you very much!

[@TheRebirthOfWisdom]

Proud 53-year old stroke survivor and relatively new gardener growing tomatoes from seed. I learned about pruning a few weeks ago but your video has given me so much clarity and insight to be more nurturing to my plants. I feel like these are my babies! I am truly grateful for the wisdom and experience you’ve shared. Bless you! 🙏🏽

[@johnhughes597]

Mr Gardener is genuine. Soft spoken and very knowledgeable. He has pondered and put many good thoughts together to educate us in a simple and practical way. I'm looking forward to many of his gardening videos to come. Thank you. Mr Gardener.

[@kevinandlisa4807]

This is such a great video. I’m a new gardener and pruning is scary! I was afraid of “killing” my plants. This was so clear and easy to understand. Thank you!

[@cammillia2011]

Scott knows what he is doing and he is excellent at explaining how to prune. Good detail and easy to understand. Pruning tomatoes is hard to figure out at first. But if you watch Scott over and over and actually do it yourself and then go back and watch this video, it will become pretty clear what you can and can't do. Thank you Scott.

[@christianlewis400]

Excellent as always Scott👍

[@stephenmoberg8807]

Excellent as usual

[@dparamful]

This is the best gardening channel.on youtube, I think. The quality of information is superb.

[@demirenee]

You are my favourite gardening channel to watch. Your voice is so soothing lol

[@TheChunjun]

Watched several other videos and I was left even more confused about how to identify a sucker vs. a sun leaf. Your video was crystal clear and I think I can now prune my tomatoes this year with confidence. Thank you!

[@waysofhealthy726]

Its amazing we can prune tomatoes. We enjoyed it and will certainly apply it. thanks a lot.

[@Silver-Sliver]

Videos like this never grow old, and will help new and old school gardeners alike for years. Thank you 🌱🌿🍅

[@davidmosteller6313]

good stuff on tomato plants and pruning Thank you

[@AnneMarieGross]

Just watched all your tomato videos, Scott, plus about a dozen others. I had lost my excitement for gardening -- thanks to your videos I know exactly why and what steps I want to take for this year's garden. One of the reasons I like your videos is because they are so detailed and show exactly what you do as you explain why you do it -- which is why I'd love to see how you tie your tomatoes up. It's probably obvious to most people but knowing where to tie, how much of the plant to tie, when to move your tie would be so helpful. (I've never grown indeterminate tomatoes.) Thanks!

[@GardenerScott]

Thanks, Anne Marie. I am planning a video to show that this summer. Thanks for the suggestion.

[@KG-si3il]

Gardener Scott, you are an effective, efficient, and interesting teacher: Filling the entire period with information that meets the teaching objective, with no time wasted. Thank you. I'm looking forward to a healthier, stronger, and more productive tomato patch this year!

[@serenemountain6769]

agreed.

[@CNSChristyDittmar]

You are like Mr. Rogers of gardening!

[@andreassumerauer5028]

When I prune the tomatoes, I sometimes do not throw the cuttings away, but put the stronger offshoots in some bottles with water. Within a few days they develop roots and can then be planted in the ground or in a container. Of course, this is only useful in early summer when they still have enough time to develop into full plants. Because of the shortened growing season, their yield is also lower, but to me the effort is worth it. Plus, these plants make a great gift for all ages. Last but not least, it also helps me overcome my aversion to pruning. I strongly dislike pruning tomatoes, even though I know how important it is, especially in the relatively humid northern German climate. When I remember that the cuttings will find a new and better place to grow, I find it much easier to do what is necessary.

[@aslansezen7423]

best guide and simple explanation on growing tomatoes ive viewed on youtube for a novice grower such as myself ! thank you

[@alperss6]

You are a wonderful teacher, and i can understand your english because of your clear talking. Thanks from Turkey!

[@augustomachete1715]

Thanks for sharing your wisdom.

[@GardenerScott]

My pleasure!

[@Jhpc399]

MY WIFE AND I, WE THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR ENLIGHTENING US IN OUR FIRST YEAR OF TOMATO GROWING!! VERY GOOD VIDEO.

[@MichaelaPlante]

Thank you so much for these pruning instructions. The best tomato pruning explanation on KZbin! I followed your instructions last year, and had my first bumper crop in years!

[@danielpflaster3472]

Thank you for all your excellent videos. This is my first year trying to grow a garden in raised beds. I bought some tomatoes from the garden center and gifted some from a kind neighbor. They’re growing nicely. The problem is I don’t know if they’re determinate or indeterminate tomatoes. It may not matter, but I’m string trellising them anyway. This may seem silly, but I love touching all the plants. Very rewarding.

[@susank6267]

Excellent, clear demonstration and information! Wonderful as usual. Thank you

[@picmanjoe]

Best video on tomato pruning I've seen. Especially with regard to how many suckers to leave growing in relation to how high and bushy you want the plant to be. Excellent!

[@kcst0rm]

I must say you made more sense and gave more clarity than any other person, on any other channel! Kudos to you for not only knowing what to do, but have the ability to show others clearly. It's 1:30 in the morning here, and I want to take a flashlight out to my garden and start helping my plants.

[@GardenerScott]

Thanks. I love your enthusiasm.

[@sharonstanley5054]

Pruning best done when no moisture on leaves. Helps prevent spread of fungus, etc.

[@DocScience2]

= @@GardenerScott = (1) how or where do you get seeds for indeterminate tomatoes ?? (2) can you successfully make plants from cuttings from indeterminates ?? If you have this in a video, give a link here. . Thankyou.

[@Mtkrvi06]

🤣my husband woke up one night at around 2am and couldn’t find me. He followed the open door and the lights I had on....found me in the garden surrounded by my camping lanterns. Weeding. Those weeds are my nemesis. It gets too hot to do it for long In the day and in the afternoon I run out of time....so I was literally out there in the night trying to catch up. It’s soothing to me 🤷🏼‍♀️. Bugs are awful though. Sigh

[@kcst0rm]

@@Mtkrvi06 that's priceless and too funny at the same time! Kudos to you for posting your craziness. Your poor husband though, he's going to put a bell around your neck before bedtime if you're not careful. Seriously though much respect and keep on pruning!😁🍆

[@carlamichael8213]

Great job explaining pruning. My dad always taught me about suckers and this was an amazing visual explanation.

[@GardenerScott]

Thanks!

[@carlamichael8213]

Can’t wait to view more of your videos. I can’t wait for planting season either. Have some heirloom seeds from my dad and will get started Soon. Yellow stripeys and I forget the ones I liked so well. They are a nice size and kind of a pink color. I always called pinkies but that’s not it.

[@bobhenskens3568]

Best explanation I have heard about pruning your tomatoes. Keep it simple, just the facts. You are really helpful to other gardeners.

[@michaelfav137]

Excellent narrative and video work

[@LawdDemRangz]

What a great video. I have a bunch of cherry and paste varieties in my garden, and pruning them has helped so much. Love your channel, please keep producing this kind of top-shelf content.

[@janenoe]

Very helpful for first-time gardener.

[@joannegopaul3774]

Thank you dear, for sharing your garden tips, you've been very helpful, just what I needed and very well explained. God bless you and your gardening 🙏🌿🌱🍓

[@allborosnyc4544]

Thank you for the most easiest to understand tomato pruning video!

[@vvolpe572]

Thank you for the clarity and "giving permission" and validating the fear of pruning the suckers that may have developed larger with flowers on them. I now know what I did incorrectly last year's garden. All my tomatoes went wild and did exactly what you described- disease, overrun beds, and not quality.

[@billhendrickson5506]

I enjoyed your video. When I plant tomatoes I dig a trench and lay them flat in the trench with a small amount sticking up and out. This guarantees all the little roots to help feed the plant. I add a chicken egg to that cavity with epson salt and a quarter cup of sugar. During growing time I add a small amount of 10-10-10 fertilizer. During growing time I snip off all the sucker leaves. The plant is to produce tomatoes not to be looking good. Water using common sense. I usually have to end the plants life because the season is getting too late. Remember this in growing tomatoes they love air and water and some nutrients. Sugar makes them taste sweet.

[@lornagoliat9629]

Most clear presentation I've watched. Hoping my tomatoes would yield more fruits this time.

[@josephfraschilla6409]

Thankyou for explaining Removing Suckers the correct way. I have been gardening for many years. I have had several people try to explain the process but they could not do it for me to comprehend what they were trying to say. Now I get it. I also had my wife sit down and watch your video. Great Job, Thank You.

[@GardenerScott]

Thanks. I'm glad it was helpful.

[@raineeaton4035]

Very helpful, clear instructions. Thank-you.

[@frankkola5739]

Well explain you deserve thumbs up 👍

[@cf3451]

Absolutely clear on what to do pruning wise. Thanks so much! I have 20 plants, all indeterminate heirlooms and all pruned up. I live in Southern Oregon about a mile in from the Pacific, so this is a big experiment. We have to contend with the marine layer. Even so, my plants are outside in gro-bags against a building. Already staked and trellised in their own microclimate. Three feet tall on June 8th.

[@FaithbyNature2]

By far the Best pruning video I've seen. Thank you so much. It was so easy to listen and follow along.

[@jackieschuld1532]

Finally someone who explained and videoed perfectly!!! Thank you so much I now know how to prune or not prune Tomato plant's

[@braveheartrv2946]

You're the most informative videos I found on KZbin yet! Other videos just tell you plant water prune Harvest but they don't go into detail on exactly how or why! I'm really learning a lot from your videos.!

[@antares6507]

Thanks a lot man, been applying some of your methods to my own garden, and I must say it's come a long way. Cheers.

[@PBarrPrince]

I grew Beefsteak tomatoes last year. Indeterminate. I knew something about pruning suckers... Which kept me busy!...but haven't pruned any major branches. This year I'm going to prune around the bottom as you suggested. Thanks for the video!

[@cjg8093]

I never even knew that tomato plants should be pruned. This was very helpful and it all makes sense. Thank you!

[@heidihofkamp666]

Thank you so much. I've been watching a lot of ppl, getting ideas. This is my 1st garden, and it's just me. My father taught me how to garden and is always there to answer my questions. He's never pruned, or staked and always has a huge beautiful crop. I didn't realize how much I knew even as far as transplanting flowers, or other yard work. I broke my pelvis 6* in 8 months. I finally had a plate put in after the 6th fracture. A yr later I could not lift my leg. Turns out I did the impossible and broke the metal plate. Long story short I was on crutches for almost two years. Less than a month after my last surgery, I bought a shovel & was digging up everything I could. However, I didn't walk for another month. I was determined to get better bc I finally have a yard. I planted 21 tomato plants in pots on my balcony last year & I'll never waste my time and energy to do pots ever again. Oh, my point of all this rambling was to say ty. I've watched countless vids and rarely finish. Most ppl say u can't have more than stem. Like they're the tomato police& will come seize your plant! I greatly appreciate your vids. You have the most calming voice I've ever heard

[@GardenerScott]

Thank you very much, Heidi. Your story is incredible and I'm so glad to hear you're recuperating in the garden. I hope you have great success in your garden.

[@heidihofkamp666]

@@GardenerScott Thank you! It's been amazing. So great, that I had to buy a freezer for my Italian bush & Pole beans. I made a stir fry w zucchini, red, orange& green peppers, scallions, pea pods, broccoli, yellow cherry tomatoes, carrots, celery, basil, & cilantro. In my family we take great pride in food, cooking. I talk to my Dad daily and we always tell each other what's for dinner and what's from the garden. I appreciate your reply

[@annegreenfield7256]

excellent video - slow clear talking, very clear graphic modeling -- I learned to understand why one would or would not prune in a certain way.

[@realgoodbear7149]

Such excellent instructions. Thank you!

[@plantergoat3054]

Your presentation gave the most understandable explanation of pruning tomatoes. It was clear and paced so that you could catch everything that was said. I really like the comments about the diseases. I do wonder what your water system is like. I really recommend using irrigation tape which only puts water on the soil. Your presentation indicates that you were an educator of some type.

[@stevantammy6779]

Wonderful job of explaining pruning. The video was clear, precise, and not only educational, but relaxing and easy to understand. Thank you.

[@GardenerScott]

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@misterg1157]

Thank you. Very helpfully explained. I like it how you explain the general rule and then when you may wish to break it (removing suckers but when you might leave them and why, and how what you do depends on how tall your trellis is).

[@denisefox4808]

What a lovely man. A proper gardener!

[@bitsymother49]

Thanks! I am growing tomatoes for first time. Had no idea there was so much to learn. I really enjoyed your video. I am saving it to watch again. I can’t wait till tomorrow morning to go on my first “sucker safari!”

[@janetpeterson2146]

I have just found this video now, and I am so happy I did. This is the best explanation I have ever seen to explain why and how to prune tomatoes. Thank you so very much!!

[@ivonnecardenas100]

I loved the way everything was explained. So interesting , I appreciate the time you took to teach how to prune tomatoes. Thank you so much.

[@BudzOfGold]

This explanation has cleared up everything I've been watching about pruning tomatoes. Really nice that you show the young plants and then the older plants.

[@BUBBENVAN]

A really good, comprehensive and re-assuring video. Shows you can choose your own style of pruning according to your circumstances.

[@KC-pu8tx]

Sir Gardner Scott, you gave a very thorough presentation about the types of tomatoes, their corresponding styles of pruning, you talked about pruning the sucker branches, and pruning branches close to the soil in a very clean and concise form. For that I thank you. I also want to compliment you on your style of presentation which combines the acting of Hollywood stars and the lecturing of university professors. Your knowledge impressed me. Your style of presentation of your knowledge fascinated me. Thanks again.

[@richarddavis8931]

Best tutorials that I have come across (and I have looked at a lot).

[@donnas7767]

Thank you for getting back to me!!

[@christiphillip7243]

Thank you for this video!! I am new to gardening and this was super informative and easy to understand!

[@margobrannan1966]

Your videos are some much help - For a first time gardener(me) - One thing I don't understand is to keep my tomato plants at a 3-4 ft - Do I ever trim the top so they don't grow so tall?

[@juneshannon8074]

This is, by far, the BEST tomato pruning tutorial I have found. Many thanks Scott.

[@GardenerScott]

Thank you very much, June.

[@vincewolf5218]

Very detailed,exactly what is needed,great job

[@GardenerScott]

Glad you liked it. Thanks!

[@thomaswampler5494]

Thank you, GS, especially for the last part on helping me grow my plants out with strong stalks rather than up (past about 5 foot) in the space I have. Very educational and to the point. So many youtube channels spend time talking about everything under the sun rather than the stick to the topic they say they are going to cover

[@GardenerScott]

Thanks, Thomas. I'm so glad it was useful.

[@carolginoza5281]

Very good video and explanation on how to prune a tomato plant. My plant is definitely ready to be pruned and I am happy that I came across your video, it’s so clear and interesting.

[@shanemcree5521]

You speak with clarity and that helps tremendously. I have learned from this video, and agree with much due to experience. Thank you for your time.

[@GardenerScott]

You are very welcome, Shane. Thanks.

[@iron4321]

I played it on 1.5x speed... I’m a fast talker though. Good video

[@verawallace9055]

Last time I I let mine grow too much before trying to prune, now that I know to remove the middle suckers, I will start earlier and do a better job ,thanks

[@rebeccaford5237]

This was such an incredibly helpful video. Thanks so much. I guess I have a lot of pruning to do!

[@sophiematern8357]

Your knowledge is very valuable. Thank you again!

[@DebtEliminationNow]

Thanks for the pruning tips , I am not growing in dirt so bugs are not so much of an issue , but was unaware of suckers so I will be looking out for that issue.

[@gorgeousaiza]

Will do this on my tomatoes

[@mylittlecoloradocottage]

Great information. Trying to follow your tips this spring/summer. Thanks for the tips

[@genmhalsted]

Thankyou for your clear, defined and sensible advice on pruning tomatoes.

[@thetoon50]

If you need to watch a video about pruning tomatoes then this is the one . Brilliant thank you

[@GardenerScott]

Thank you very much.

[@elenikaouna1580]

Very good video, explaining the reasons and showing the way. Thank you!

[@Arkeze]

I let mine go crazy before pruning because I’m new to gardening and was scared I’d cut the wrong thing. I find it very hard to cut something off because I have this inherent mindset that it just feels wrong lol. Now I know how to do it and see mine are in desperate need of pruning. Better find my gloves. Thanks, this video was great and simple and concise.

[@GardenerScott]

You're not alone. Pruning is hard and I always hesitate to cut off something that I worked so hard to grow. Start small and just prune a little. Before long you'll feel much more comfortable.

[@gayedawn1]

Cody Columbia ..sometimes I have put the decent 20cm suckers in water until they shoot roots then planted them out. I hate anything being chucked out. I even rescue plants growing in concrete.

[@roberth.9558]

Very informative and well presented. Thank you.

[@GardenerScott]

Glad it was helpful!

[@nataliekatherineboatner5452]

Thank you so very much, Gardener Scott! You are thorough and precise, and I actually am able to internalize your information.

[@slydog7131]

I must admit, I have never pruned my tomatoes except for low branches. I've read that the suckers won't bear fruit. I've never noticed that to be the case and from the video it seems that they indeed do. Usually, my plants are huge and bear vast quantities of great tomatoes, but they can get so big that even when ringed with many stakes and reinforced with multiple lines, they still end up falling over, and it can be a challenge to get to the tomatoes. This next season I think I'll try pruning two of my plants following your guidelines and see how that goes. You are right: it is very hard to prune my plants, but I'll take a deep breath and dive in. Thanks for the video.

[@pauls133]

Great video. I'm glad you added that part towards the end, about leaving lower suckers and pruning the upper ones. I use cages and stakes, so about 5 feet is my height limit. Also, it seems that aside from being determinate vs non-determinate, the variety may change my pruning habits too. I grow a hybrid called Fourth of July. The fruit are rather small, very much like the store bought Campari tomatoes, and I usually don't prune the suckers at all, like I do for my Beefsteak varieties. I also give my plants at least 36" spacing so I can afford to let them get a little bushy.

[@charliepugh9436]

Your video was excellent 👏 I'm headed for my garden this evening to have a pruning party 🥳 I remember my Granddad back in the sixties and seventies spending hours with his tomatoes plants. He always had huge tomatoes 🍅 every year. Wish I could revisit those days. THANK you

[@klomax7089]

Wow this was like an instructional television show on PBS! By far the BEST information a about growing tomatoes I've ever heard and I've been gardening for over 20 years! I'm from Ohio but now live inGeorgia and I'm really struggling to get a nice harvest of tomatoes yet. Definitely will be trying these pruning techniques immediately. Thanks so much and you got yourself a new subscriber 👍🏾👏🏾😊

[@GardenerScott]

Thank you so much.

[@victoriachatfield4612]

I live in SE NC, where the summers can be brutally hot. I do like to prune a bit, but like another poster said, leaving some extra foliage to shade the fruit may be the way to go. Will try that next season. I would have done it this year, but deer found my "buffet." :-(

[@grantgeorgebuffett]

A great explanation, as usual! Thanks!

[@maryschuman4488]

Best video I have ever heard and seen. Description great and great clarity. I can actually understand what to do.

[@GardenerScott]

Thank you.

[@disamarie]

I'm a beginner here! I'm so glad I found your channel! I'm learning so much from you. Thank you!

[@tamiz8895]

What a great video, I feel confident about pruning tomatoes this year! 🍅

[@valeriehudson7276]

Thank you fro your soft voice and clear directions , it is easy to follow your information. Gratefully.

[@tdbaud]

I agree, this guy is really good. I always felt guilty about removing the suckers, but not any more thanks to Scott

[@billiebarlow7241]

Great video!

[@barbisrule]

I'm so glad I found you. I'm a first year gardener. Your video is very informative and helpful ,thanks!

[@GardenerScott]

I'm so glad it was helpful. Enjoy gardening!

[@leomar6918]

Wonderful explanation! Thank you and have a fruitful harvest.

[@MrSpansell]

Where I live I do very little pruning the reason being when the heat of summer ramps up my tomatoes need a little more shade. I also have great success with little maintenance.

[@GardenerScott]

That can be a good reason to limit pruning. Because I grow more plants closer together they tend to shade each other, but I do reduce pruning as the season progresses for the same reasons you point out.

[@josephpoole1497]

Thanks very helpful explanation. Probably one of the best I have watched on KZbin. Watching from New Zealand, so tomato season is just kicking off.

[@Lisarata]

I like this garden teaching because it's all about the info and he gets right to it.

[@donmason2256]

thank you. this is more informative than any thing i've seen before. GREAT JOB

[@jimwilleford6140]

Great clarity. The best tomato pruning tutorial I have seen. Thank you.

[@GardenerScott]

Thank you very much.

[@katnip2u]

I tend to progressively also prune the lower leaves, once the fruit "hiding" under them is ready to turn to its final colour. That way they get direct sunshine and super good taste from being directly sunkissed.

[@JohnJude-dp6ed]

October is coming in 6a Mid Ohio and I've done this twice and it's great. Give me half of the cleaning out my garden in great fall weather not mid winter in freezing weather. Also my average size increases and I've gotten my biggest slicers of the season both times used this method. I'm mainly just reviewing as to just when before frost should I prune. Great method thanks

[@russellmaverick3253]

best pruning tutorial ive seen. great tips. and even prepared a lot of samples for demo of actual pruning. thanks mr. scott! real helpful 👍

[@GardenerScott]

Thank you.

[@KemperKelley]

Thanks I will try all of what you explained ans give you feed back