Pruning Tomatoes & Cucumbers

Simple steps to prune a tomato or cucumber plant.
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[@johnmcneal9477]

I typically grow around 10,000lbs of tomatoes in our short northern 120 day season in three unheated high tunnels. For maximum production I space my plants 4ft on center single row and do not cut out any suckers for the first 24 inches. My goal is to have 5-6 main leaders and each leader will produce approx 10lb of fruit. I average around 40-50lbs of tomatoes per plant. (indeterminate plants). I run a cable at7ft above the plants and use "Tomahooks" with plastic clips to support the leaders. They are massive time savers and allow you to space out the leaders for better sun light and air flow. Around July 15th I top the plants at 5 ft. and remove any new suckers. In our cold climate it takes 6 weeks or so to get ripe fruit so all new flowers are also removed. Topping the plants shocks them a bit and they go right into a fruiting stage which coincides with shortening days. I suspect their internal clock tells them the summer is coming to an end and they go into double overtime sending nutrition's to the fruit. About a week later I do a hard pruning up to approx 16 inches. A week later I do another hard pruning to around the 24-30 inches and remove new suckers and flowers. I stop watering the plants in early August in technique I call water stressing. I discovered that by shocking and stressing the plants they start to pull the stored sugars up from the roots and into the fruit for super sweet tomatoes. Around the 1st of September I do another very hard pruning and at this point about 80% of all of the leaves are gone. The plants look TERRIBLE but the fruit has easily doubled or even tripled in size and weight and they reach a sweetness and plumpness you will never achieve with over watered plants. Once I figured out the natural life cycle of the tomato plants I started producing 3- 4 times the volume of tomatoes per high tunnel.

[@kaydee2681]

I’m very interested in this comment after having 3/4 years of hard pruning to one lead and yielding really nice tomatoes but fewer - then two years of letting 3/4 leads go and producing way more fruit but of lesser quality per fruit… This comment sounds like you’ve taken the best of both scenarios and tried to bridge them. Would be interested to see you videos of this process.

[@Uncommon5en5e]

I want to journeyman under a teacher like YOU! You remind me of another grower i used to know. Meticulous, scientific, repeatable

[@dman3943]

Incredible. I’d say I am a novice-Intermediate grower. One thing I don’t think I’ve mastered is watering. I know how to water to keep plants healthy, but not into getting super sweet fruit. Watermelons for example. I try to keep them consistently moist, but am I diluting the flavor by doing this? How can I keep a crisp juicy flesh but also extremely sweet? Because I have experience in the past with my inconsistent watering with watermelon gives them a mushy consistency. (I know you were talking about tomatoes lol, but I’m growing watermelon at the moment) any tips?

[@MJ202020]

Is it better to have one plant in 4 feet area as you described or multiple plants in smaller circles? Have you tried the denser planting

[@khangle3472]

Thanks so much for your comment. Super interesting. I'll definitely experiment with this on some of my plants

[@CBReal1290]

Thank you for keeping this video within a decent time frame, giving the educational component and demonstration and good video quality of close ups because you did 2 plants in the amount of time that you allotted in its perfect.Thank you

[@BroadwayGardener]

I didnt even realize cucumbers had suckers too! This is so helpful! Thank you. I was wondering why my cucumbers were so out of control.

[@victoriouspeople1]

I used "Trellis to Make You Jealous" last year with tremendous results. I'm sold!

[@MJ202020]

The attribution to other sources is very encouraging and appreciated. I feel like you’re a friend rather than a salesman Thank you for your sharing All the best

[@championhomestead6273]

You are the best new thing for home gardeners on You Tube! You use descriptive and concise explanations that are fantastic. Keep it up.

[@JoshSattinFarming]

That's so nice of you to say that. I'm just glad that people are enjoying the videos and finding them helpful. Thanks for watching!

[@splash5974]

I only grow determinate types of tomatoes. Don't be afraid to prune! Mine are always open at the bottom to promote good air flow. Always remove suckers, and as i get later into the season, i remove more and more foliage. By the end of summer its just vines, tomato clusters, and foliage around the top of the plant, and i keep removing any flowers that i know wont ripen in time. I have done so much better since doing this! I used to just plant them and water them...My tomatoes are larger and better quality now. Try it for yourself! Love your channel!

[@kamranfd9542]

Can you subscribe My Channel??? kzbin.info/www/bejne/d3WUiWSCa5ZnoK8

[@user-eo7nk7cu3f]

Thanks for sharing! Will try this on my determinate tomatoes!

[@pissedkat]

Great video. I appreciate the effort you put into this. Hard to figure why you would have 190 people with a thumb down. Very informative and genuine in your delivery. No one should care if your affiliated or not with your recommendation of products. Thank you for the video and keep them going. I hope this will lead to sponsorship's and gives you the ability to make it a permanent job to support your family. All great advice!

[@carolynsteele5116]

I watch KZbin video66s all the time to learn this stuff, but somehow your explanations are so concise and well-articulated that I understand right away. Thank you so much!!

[@JoshSattinFarming]

You're welcome. Thanks for watching!

Thank you for sharing a very easy to understand way of pruning, I love cucumbers and tomatoes, it's very refreshing

[@iswimthedeeps]

Thank you. You kindness and good heart shines through. I appreciate what you do.

[@brianripley8405]

I love seeing the beautiful foliage in my garden. I'm not ready for hard pruning but thanks for an interesting presentation

[@jimhudson1737]

Yes, I agree. Seems to me to be the wrong thing to do. The leaves are there for a reason (I do agree they should be pruned for the bottom 1’ of the plant though).

[@lilmisspeace]

Until seeing this i didn't even know i should prune my tomatoes! Thank you so much!

[@JoshSattinFarming]

You're welcome. Thanks for watching!

[@mishalea]

Never have seen such bare tomato plants. I've only been gardening a few years, tho. Lots to try! You do stay busy! Yes, keep up with the wife & kiddos! 🙂 Blessings!

[@frankmansour362]

I'm so glad I found this channel. Very practical, informative and straight to the point. My gardening will get exponentially better this season.

[@edmey]

I appreciate your fact-filled presentation without a lot of extraneous verbiage. Thank you and all the best!

[@tinakoernermashood6422]

E Meyr I couldn’t agree more. Very doable.

[@danpryde5503]

Youre a legend Josh. Thanks so much for sharing your insights mate. I love learning from someone who's found their sweet spot!

[@craigjones9120]

Thanks Josh , I used your trellis system this year and new to gardening, what a difference and appreciate your clear , easy instructions! Thank you 🙏

[@m3fnc]

Thanks dude learnt a lot, like how you actually show where and how to cut trimmed tomatoes and cucumbers

[@danieltengwong5275]

I have been enjoying this program especially no-till, pruning tomatoes and cucumber

[@greenhousefun3235]

Great video. Thanks for the book referral. I built my greenhouse this past fall. This will be my first greenhouse growing. I m seeking more information. Thanks again

[@bretearly6540]

Used your exact trellis design. Works awesome. I put two strings about 4” apart for every plant to make it easier to train

[@mooshmobile]

I made this trellis thanks to your video and my peas are loving it so far! thank you so much! I am going to incorporate it into the rest of my garden as well. thank you! Your videos are great!

[@JoshSattinFarming]

You're welcome. Glad the videos have been helpful and thanks for watching!

[@Jharieltravel]

Very informative video just prune my tomato yesterday but i just learned that i need to prune the cucumber too. Will definitely check my cucumber for pruning!

[@skypt123]

This video is right on time! I was trying to figure out a neat way to trellis after my cukes and maters took over my yard last Spring. I'm definitely staying tuned.

[@Marylmac]

Mine took over one wet week last year...and I just ran away and kept on going. This year I hope to be more organnised. I never knew about cucumber pruning either!

[@amyjacob2100]

Recently found your channel. You do a great job at explaining things. I love how neat and tidy your gardens are. Looking forward to doing something similar at my place this year. Keep up the great work!

[@sunnybizz4857]

Its all good pure info on this channel. No beating around the bush and stalling for time to extend video length. My time is never wasted watching this channel.

[@southpawr2161]

Thank you for the cucumber pruning I understand now what to cut. You’re doing a great job we appreciate your taking the time to help us as well.

[@michaelgood1576]

Beautiful garden and trellis. I'm jealous. Thanks for the cucumber prune tip.

[@grasscutter1963]

Omg Josh, this is just what I forgot about looking into, pruning my cucumbers 👍👍👍. Thanks again and again, This is right on time as my cucumbers are just starting to climb the trellis. Our garden is a few weeks late on account of so much rain we were getting when I should have been putting it out, but hey, better late then never right lol.

[@Sg4809]

Dont feel bad mine aren't long enough yet to even start climbing the trellis, I'm not sure what to do? They're real green and healthy looking and have great big leaves, they even look like they might flower soon; just not vineing out yet... 🤷‍♀️

[@scrissman30]

i been growing pickle cucmbers for 20 years i never pruned..lol i got something new to try this year, Josh, i like how you have your tomatoes set up. i dont know how deep you plant yours but in my experience the deeper the better i bury 3/4 of the plant makes more roots and personally think it helps the plant with producing more fruit, thank you!

[@kristenowen1853]

I think it has a lot to do with your climate. In NC I find if I don't prune mine they are extremely susceptible to disease and or bacteria/fungus.

[@christinastein5187]

Hi Josh, I do a lot of gardening. We do a lot of peppers. As the pepper plants grow, I have been cutting the big leaves off. The reasoning behind this is because they are sucking up all the nutrients of the flowers and the fruit. My peppers have never produced more fruit than the last 2 years. I really love your videos and appreciate your videos. Thank you very much. Look forward to more.

[@JoshSattinFarming]

You are very welcome. Glad the videos have been helpful and thanks for watching!

[@rendezvous_with]

Solid stuff Josh. I watched this a while ago, and just re-watched it to brush up for the new season.

[@angie4755]

Now I know what to do next year! Def had some first year garden issues this season!

[@RushHourRecords]

Doing well mate. Thanks for your time. Much appreciated!

[@JoshSattinFarming]

You're welcome. Thanks for watching!

[@aquiconfeya]

I just prune my cucumbers plants and I am not sure if I did it right. They are growing like crazy, in pots. Great information thank you.

[@sulebo2153]

Dramm pruners are THE BEST!!! Sharp and durable. I lost my tiny pair one year and several months later found them in the compost pile, no rust and work good as new 3 yrs later! I keep the 6" pair in my pocket all day for random small pruning. Amazon has them - a bit over $20 for the larger ones. Tempted to get their loppers - maybe next year :)

[@chermarie332]

thank you! I'm going to try some of your suggestions. I didn't know how to prune tomatoes!! I watched your other trellis videos and am starting to build one for gourds, which I grow for my gourd art. I'll pass your information on!

[@OrganicallyAnn]

Great video! I need to go prune this weekend so this definitely helped me!

[@toddrosansky1798]

we like your honesty and shout outs we are starting out as well, thank you Josh.

[@majoku74]

Loved this video, perfect length, straight to the interesting stuff. Thanks!

[@lindabowdersshort1580]

Thanks for your info !!!! ❤️Your Garden and this mine is small (4x16 raised bed) your pruning will help me to have more in my small space 👍🦩

[@SB-qv3yo]

i over did it on the number of tomato plants one year and thus lost my fear of being aggressive in pruning. Now it is the only way I go!

[@nereidapr1]

First time here and it is awesome. I learned to grow tomatoes in a way for my needs as a disable. Loved and Subbed. Great video.

[@nagasvoice8895]

Thank you, I have been finding your technique videos very encouraging and practical.

[@JoshSattinFarming]

You're welcome. Thanks for watching!

[@pratikshendre]

Hey Josh! Thanks for making this video on pruning.

[@aarongentile7232]

This was a really good and interesting book about no-till growing--The One-Straw Revolution: An Introduction to Natural Farming

[@missourigirl8447]

That looks awesome. I can't prune quite that much because mine are outside in full sun for over 8 hours a day and it causes sun scald. I wish I had a high tunnel.

[@sudhirsumongkol8972]

Falls Church , VA .. This year is our first season growing vegetables.. I wish I have known this channel before we started growing. Thanks.

[@ioanekoroivuki543]

Yaay! Got tips on how to prune tomatoes and cucumbers! Great video and please keep em coming!

[@joannethorburn3145]

Thank you, saw this once on an Asian country garden. And thought it made so much sense. Def going to try this.

[@marcttv1440]

What an awesome set up! I hope to have this much space one day!

[@nicholasclassen4228]

Amazing and super informative!!Been following your videos from the start and love all of your content Mr Sattin!Please continue to upload, and thank you for everything!,.From Cape town,South Africa

[@JoshSattinFarming]

You're welcome. I'm glad you have been enjoying the videos. Thanks for watching!

[@jonbanner5823]

Excellent info in your videos, greatly appreciate you sharing all this with the rest of us! Keep up the great work!

[@JoshSattinFarming]

You're welcome. Thanks for watching! Lots more to come.

[@kingdomliving0072]

Thank you for your time,I'll keep i in touch.

[@wsadik]

Josh, you are such a down to earth person.

[@lauren9373]

Hi from England. Love your vids, learning new things every day and looking forward to going up my allotment later and pruning my plants 😊thanks

[@JoshSattinFarming]

Thank you! I'm glad you have been finding my videos helpful. Thanks for watching and have fun at your allotment!

[@wallstreethomestead5979]

Great information for growing better and more produce from your garden for your family or for sales. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge.

[@drive-byguitarlessons1858]

Excellent information, thank you. I knew there was a way to prune my cucumbers. Now I know. Going to do that after lunch.

[@trimntim]

Same here. The cucumber pruning is exactly what I was looking for. Starting in the early A.M.

[@Danfoodforest]

I really like that method for the tomatoes Thank you Have an amazing week

[@JoshSattinFarming]

You're welcome. Glad you found the video helpful and thanks for watching!

[@sunkisshomesteadgardens9997]

I have a tomato plant that I cut the main steam nearly off it had so many green tomatoes on it I didn't want to loose I taped it back in place and it's still giving tomatoes and growing great. A lost of a plant is a lost of food or the other green called money which in my book is both valuable

[@naturalroots]

so glad I found you🙏🏾 I got a little to prune happy and I just knew that I ruined my tomato plant. When I saw that your tomato plants looked like mines. what a relief!!! I just subscribed.

[@deightonharper877]

What is there to dislike about this video? 253 dislikes! Really! Thank you Josh for the info. Much appreciated sir 👍.

[@ioanekoroivuki543]

Exactly. I thought this video was great!

[@barjrfarmandranch5564]

Some people live on negativity. I choose to be positive. Such a better life!

[@justinwaddy4285]

They dont prune their cucumbers...lol

[@sigmapge1398]

When a guy is on top of his game there will always be competitors (and losers) to try to pull him down.

[@jeandixon586]

Perhaps because he talks so fast it's sometimes not easy to follow. In that case it's better to leave a comment in that regard rather than dislike the video.

[@elementalearth5096]

Really grateful for the pruning tips man, cheers.

[@craigm3077]

Dude I love your farm! It is clean and looks like it has a great flow. Just started watching and will keep watching!

[@JoshSattinFarming]

Thank you!

[@martinspijker8952]

goodmorning Josh.. just found your channel and i like it.. couple of things i never hear anyone about..tomato,s will make a second growing head, i am sure most people cut them off because it looks like a sucker..but it isnt, the main growing tip is splitting..:) i Always let that grow aswell.. it will give me 3 to 4 bunches of tomato,s extra at each plant, thats about 40% more yield..:D and i Always hear people say that a tomato needs sun on the fruit to rypen, but that is not true at all,even as the fruit is hanging under leaves they will go red just fine, i thing the more leaves are on a plant the more sugars the plant can make to make the best tasting fruit..:)

[@seanaldrich5024]

I love the fact that ur humble and we are learning with you but you still have good info that we might not be able to obtain. keep it up bud your going places but don't let it go to ur head and be one of the know it all gardeners out there.

[@JoshSattinFarming]

Thank you. I've always felt that it was important to say "I don't know" when you don't know. This is true for all of my previous careers too. Glad you have been enjoying the videos and thanks for watching!

[@show_me_your_kitties]

I didn't know cucumbers had suckers. Ours is growing everywhere so quickly. Thanks!

[@kiwimacscottish6759]

Good morning! Great info on the difference between pruning two different type of tomatoes. On my garden walk this morning I just saw three lonely cherry tomatoes on one of our plants. A few more weeks and I'll be enjoying fresh strawberries from the garden. Have a wonderful day. 🙂 🇨🇦

[@nakkerannakl1627]

Kiwi MacScottish sun light use waste

[@jimwoods3489]

I enjoy the simplicity of your information. Thank you for taking the time to make the video. A new subscriber.

[@JoshSattinFarming]

You're welcome. Thanks for watching!

[@lucy6375]

Really found your clip very helpful. Thank you so much. Please keep making more!!

[@ohioladybug7390]

Thanks! Great video. I learn so much from you.

[@psum6537]

Great info. Thank you for putting out these videos.

[@miguel.azaragoza2396]

You have a beautiful veggie garden . I just started my own mini veggie garden in buckets .. thankx👍👍👍

[@batmanjohnson5982]

I'm becoming fascinated with gardening

[@barbaramontgomery8813]

Dxxx

[@chrismatulka4042]

great video bloke, just another handy hint that I do is i attach a small weight on one end of the string that you attach to the main stalk of the tomato plant and cucumber. as the plant grows it self adjusts as the plant grows, feed the string over the trellis and away you go

[@JoshSattinFarming]

Neat idea!

[@chrismatulka4042]

I'm on a 510 m2 block I have myself 16 fruit trees atm it winter where I am. l have espalier my dwarf apple trees to give me more space to companion plant garlic and ginger ect letting more light down low. I'm growing in a 1m high retaining wall this helps with easy work on pruning and harvesting. also having a large retaining wall gets the soil warm quicker in the morning this allows me to so vegetables very early in the season. my granny Smith produced over 100 full size apples this season on only 4m of branch.

[@LittleCountryCabin]

Love Dram products too😊. Great info! Thanks for sharing❤️❤️❤️

[@JoshSattinFarming]

You're welcome. Thanks for watching!

[@fixrite11]

stumbled across this vid and am very thankful. your information is awesome and very articulate. Thanks for sharing and keep them vids coming. OH by the way.....I am so impressed I subscribed, I am also an avid gardener and have been growing veg for my family for a few years, thanks for all your hard work and willingness to share.

[@JoshSattinFarming]

You're welcome. It makes me happy to hear that people are enjoying the videos and finding them helpful. Thanks for watching!

[@kitsurubami]

Thank you Josh! This is information i really needed to know, but for whatever reason never looked up

[@JoshSattinFarming]

You're welcome. Glad the video was helpful and thanks for watching!

[@hallhomestead9115]

Awesome! I didn't know you could go that deep into pruning tomatoes. I just have been taking the suckers off. I also didnt know pruning cucumbers was a thing, I've just been taking everything and putting it up on the trellis lol. Thanks for the info!

[@JoshSattinFarming]

You're welcome. Thanks for watching!

[@katnip2u]

I snip off my tomato leaves around the fruit tree same way. Additionally to what you said (airation, diseases prevention, sunlight for maturing), the removal of the bottom leaves allows the plants energy to go to the fruit--once the fruit is ready to turn color, the leaves have served their purpose and at that point they start withering away on their own.

[@ndproducelady]

We used to plant tomatoes in a greenhouse like this also, The tomatoes are so beautiful, there is no scarring from the wind and other factors, plus we were still harvesting tomatoes in November. Our usual frost date here is September 15th. We only pruned the suckers from the plant. We have such long days here in the north that sun scald is a factor so protecting the fruit is a must.

[@Lochness19]

We're almost as far north as you, but I think I'll still do the full pruning. The Great Lakes get more overcast weather in the summer than the Great Plains (even though it's still mostly sunny) and they're along a NW facing fence so they're shaded in late afternoon.

[@winterplayz2489]

Eeeeeeee Eeee

[@beverleysimmons7885]

I have that book and gave as gifts. Love your channel 💝🇨🇦

[@JoshSattinFarming]

Thank you! Glad you like the videos.

[@Girlangie2003]

Thank you for your videos!! I have my first raised garden going. This is helpful advice!! Also thanks for giving shoutouts to others!! Subscribed to your channel!!💕

[@tariraimapfumo8143]

Very educational & I benefited a lot , thank you so much

[@tombauder8489]

You do a great job on your videos, please keep up the good work

[@sarahmcgrath9390]

Thank you for all your wonderful information I will definitely check the product links I'm hoping to start a market garden next spring in Arzona .

[@terrinegron]

Thank you for taking time to share this info.

[@Beecozz7]

Excellent instruction, keep making videos!!! I'll watch!!!

[@JoshSattinFarming]

Will do. Thanks!

[@ensign4Him]

when you cut those suckers, plant them right in the ground. You get a whole new tomato plant! I've planted at least 8 or 9 this summer and I keep getting more tomatoes!!

[@Minx-4321]

Lol I did that on accident I didnt even know it would grow until I realized it wasnt wilting sadly its going to be winter before it grows anything

[@triplefoutdoors6331]

Great tip!! I never thought of that, thanks.

[@Lily-vi5cy]

I put them in jar of water for a week until roots are growing, than put them in soil.

[@ruannigrini2139]

Wow thanks. 😎

[@yvonnealvord8947]

Great Lakes gardener here! You are a very tidy gardener and after sowing a seed there can be a joy in managing plants. In my experience I've seen it from people who scatter seed, row seeding, and now the high hoop protected plants! All interesting to the adventure... I recently had to take clippings of large tomato to root in water then transplant in another state because of Covid. I got held up in my move and was in the south USA. They were potted in small containers and made it within 24 hrs North. As indeterminate variety Cherry Bombs, they are trellis to a 9 foot string going from a stake in the soil upward. I never did this before and touché! It is late August and I have clusters of cherry type tomatoes everywhere. The lower leaves were drying and getting a bit crispy so I clipped them starting from the bottom. Now mine look like yours bare from bottom. The top plant is lush and heading for the stars! September can be rough around here so we will see what happens. Well that's my story. Oh a tip I followed up on was a misting of Epsom Salts dissolved in water on the existing leaves. We will see!

[@RiverPlaid]

Glad I found your channel, thank you 🌸

[@marciehigh]

Thanks for the cucumber info. I did not know that. Very cool.

[@dustyacres]

Great video enjoy every one of them really nice information. And yes it does seem like a big job trying to juggle all the stuff on your plate. Take care

[@JoshSattinFarming]

Thank you. Glad you like the videos and thanks for watching!

[@MrSparrawk]

great video. KZbin randomly recommended one of your videos and I'm loving them :)

[@JoshSattinFarming]

Awesome! Glad you like the videos and thanks for watching!

[@nielsfritidsbonde3414]

Great video - love your honesty.... All the best....

[@sheilacape4794]

He takes the be fruitful and multiply to another level! There's something about gardening that makes you feel productive, heh? We learn what we live!

[@FarmerC.J.]

Thank you!!! I use the stainless steel florist clippers..the tip is blunt but they hold up ,too!

[@danielmenzo5994]

Can’t wait to check out more, great video!

[@JoshSattinFarming]

Thank you!

[@JP-vq6ku]

Your plants look so beautiful the way you prune.