Tips for Tomato Growing Success (How to prune, trellis, and support your tomato garden)

[@rainfalls2964]

💜Hey y'all. I just want to tell everyone in the R.&R. Community....💜. You can do this too. I found Jess about 3 years ago I didn't think I could be a " gardener ", but I started off with a few raised beds. And today, I have a yard my mother calls an oasis. Trees🌳, plants🌿, flowers🌹, veggies🍅, and more🍍🌽🍀🍆🌿🍊🍠🌾🍐🌱🍯.. You name it I grow and propagate it. It's looks like a long road sometimes. But today I spent some time walking through my yard and was truly in awe of how transformative plants can be in so little time.. * get fruit trees in now not later * plant asparagus now not later * put a spot in your garden where you can look and see how not only you shaped your garden. But how it shaped you . 💜

[@rainfalls2964]

Thank you for my likes

[@joelthompsonii2506]

Awesome! Same here

[@jannafolsom1069]

The way my grandma's place was set up, you walked out the back door past a couple flower beds, a swing under the weeping willow, the vegetable garden, and on the back side of the garden was the chicken coop. Every summer, I would hide a shaker of salt behind the chicken coop. So when grandma was sitting under the willow, her back was to the vegetable garden. I would sneak tomatoes back to the chicken coop. And have a little snack. Those were some of the best days of my life. Even better when volunteers popped up behind the coop and grandpa asked why she planted tomatoes behind the coop. She told him Janna thinks she's sneaking tomatoes from the garden 😂(I was 6)

[@7kadventuresIA]

Wow. The joy on her face while talking about tomatoes 🍅. I have definitely found my people. When I start talking about growing tomatoes or the different varieties I have started peoples faces just glaze over 😂

[@maggiechrisman]

It’s a thing of beauty when Jess starts talking about tomatoes!

[@melissadean7471]

So true! She is the tomato boss. 😂

[@janetsherman4589]

Jess, I’m a 63 year old grandma from Tennessee and you are my gardening mentor. I always learn something I didn’t know and I’ve been gardening a Long Time. Love you, girl!

[@boysrus61]

I started watching your videos during 2020. I have followed all of your tips for tomatoes and have always had an abundant harvest. As I was planting out my tomatoes this year in my 6B area, I was thinking about your parting words "I bless you", and thought, "Yes. You have blessed me with confidence and knowledge and in turn blessed my family and neighbors." Thank you for sharing your garden!

[@hmelens]

JESS. I HAVE BEEN FOLLOWING YOU SINCE LOCKDOWNS AND BECAUSE OF YOU I HAVE A GIANT VEGETABLE GARDEN THAT IS THRIVING. THE FIRST VIDEO I SAW WAS YOUR TOMATO PRUNING VIDEO OVER 3 YEARS AGO AND YOU TALKED ABOUT THE SUCKER IN THE ARMPIT. LOL AND I FINALLY UNDERSTOOD WHAT A SUCKER WAS SO THANK YOU!! I JUST HAVE TO SAY THAT YOU LOOK ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL YOUR FACE IS GLOWING AND YOU LOOK SO HAPPY AND SO AT PEACE. I KNOW YOU HAVE HAD HEALTH ISSUES ALONG THE WAY... SO KUDOS TO YOU FOR WHATEVER YOU ARE DOING. ❤ GOD BLESS & THANK YOU AS ALWAYS.

[@brownsbackyardgardening651]

I think Kitten George sent you Zucchini to keep you company while you garden like he did!🥰 I miss Kitten George.

[@SRodman]

I caught the bug! I have grown my tomato plants from seed for the first time this year and have transplanted 42 plants in my average size suburban garden. I am so excited! Love you Jess!

[@laurenschafer617]

I just gotta tell you sis, gosh I missed you. I am SO glad you are feeling better -- first for YOU -- but second selfishly, for us ;) I just want you to know, we see you and are so grateful. Feels like my friend is back. 😆

[@amyharris7337]

Thanks for all of the tips! My dear friend Mary who has gone on to be with Jesus told me many years ago when I planted my first tomato plants and they were huge but I wasn't getting much fruit to "pinch the crotch". That has always stuck with me to this day and I always laugh and think of her when I prune my tomatoes 😂

[@CurtisMassey]

You all's videos are always such a joy to watch. Thanks for sharing your years of experience. Here's to fat, juicy tomatos.

[@tammyg679]

I love the aromatic scent produced by the tomato leaves. Thank you for the tomato plants tutorial, Jess! 🍅You’re a blessing! 🤗🌻❤️

[@sherriburton6072]

I love the things you tie you plants with back when I was a kid my grandmother used to use old pantyhose she would cut them into strips and tie her plants with them my job was to help cut them and help her tie them she said they were soft and wouldn’t damage the tender plants such wonderful memories she was a wonderful teacher just like you are .God bless you ❤

[@priscillashaw5715]

Please do these kinds of videos for other veggies! So helpful!

[@jmoore12777]

Yes! I’m looking for a great informative video about bell peppers (or peppers in general). My pepper plants have some black joints, and I’m not sure if it’s something that I should worry about. I live in upstate SC (about an hour away from Jess) so we’ve had a good bit of rain recently.

[@joiflores]

We planted our first tomato plants and we’ve gotten two harvested so far and waiting on one more. They’re SO good! You’re right…store bought tomatoes do taste like disappointment 😂

[@happyheartgardening]

I wonder if when Bear sees Zucchini in a garden bed, he is thinking... "Ya know you are NOT supposed to be in garden beds. I was taught that!" lol

[@lydiafink3020]

Dr. Wyche's Yellow is one of my favorite tomato varieties, thanks to watching Jess ❤

[@rickygee8412]

I’ve been growing tomatoes for 8 years and I still love watching Tomato video 😊

[@karentuzynski7525]

Jess, YOU are the reason we are able to grow tomatoes and so many other veggies in our gardens. Thank you for teaching us all. 🤗🥰😇

[@FloraM44]

Lawn clippings make great mulch for tomatoes too!

[@jeffbooth4835]

I'm in Boston and I've been listening to Jess for a long time. I've learned a ton and sometimes it's just relaxing after a long day to see what Jess is doing. Love it! My wife calls her my "southern girlfriend". My family here goes back to the Mayflower (mostly farmers) but I'm a software geek so I find it all relaxing. Thank you Jess!

[@MrsKeane25]

I finally got an alottment. I'm literally DREAMING of sitting with sea salt and enjoying a tomato from my plot.

[@delsurf71]

As a person who has a fairly good knowledge of a tomato grow I do enjoy the fast and furious videos is ones like this one.

[@karensheart]

Priorities in order in your household Jessica. It is beautiful to see you all interact!❤

[@rachellogan7212]

I love my cattle panel trellises! I do plant on both sides though. I offset the tomatoes and plant a row on each side, forming a zig zag. I also typically plant the tomatoes on their side, so they can form lots of good roots. I just dig a shallow trench and plant them all along it with about 12 inches between each root ball.

[@katdev1]

That’s exactly what I do too here in Maine, and it works wonderfully. (Of course I can’t plant them until June 1…😟)

[@Alexis_9339]

I do this as well!

[@reneemorgan9320]

Me too! I don't plant them super close to the cattle panel so they are about 8-10 inches away from it and just use twine to tie them up so I can plant on either side. And I offset them from each other to allow more airflow.

[@shelbysieber590]

here for the tip at the end! advice for removing tomato tar is golden 🙌

[@shelleyham]

This is the best comprehensive tomato growing video i have found. Go back to it yearly to refresh my memory on what to do this season. Thanks Jessica ❤

[@takishasallbeautyzone]

While I know this info, I still enjoy a good old fashioned Jess tomato classroom 😁🍅.

[@rosecalabrese2624]

Jess, you're a breath of fresh air. I really enjoy & appreciate your channel. You are delightful.❤️ Thank you!

[@TheTenof12]

LOL Jess still loving on those Tom plants almost a decade on & Im still loving watching "bless ya" 😉💜💜💜

[@CatherineGoodrich]

Jess, you look so healthy, radiant, beautiful. Thank you so much for the tomato efucation. I didn't grow up with a garden and I appreciate the education and encouragement. Cheers to a great 2023 gardening season.

[@sharona013]

Yup, tomato lovin’ Jess is back!! ♥️

[@tracyzabelle]

We love this time of year because we love freshly grown tomatoes

[@Allybat22]

I just rewatched your original tomato pruning video yesterday 😂

[@denisebrady6858]

Jess I have been waiting for this video since you moved there- I learnt to grow Tomatoes 10 years ago from you but I think We all need a refresher every now & then - I am growing Paul Robeson this year & am having such fantastic success so far. I have failed previously. Thank you for this video as I really needed it. Cheers Denise- Australia

[@krystinruzzano5855]

Jess, I just want to say, I love your channel! I appreciate you sharing so much of your knowledge and yourself. And you always look beautiful, but most recently you are looking even more beautiful and healthy. So glad you are feeling better. God bless you too!

[@DigitHomesteading]

I love these trellis for tomatoes perfect when you live in the ARMPIT OF TEXAS like I do 😂😂😂

[@tmwhtly3982]

Love the little extra tip at the end of the end. So stinking' cute. Made me laugh out loud. Bless you, Jess. Love your channel!

[@kayb.5322]

It's like having girl talk with you. Love your videos with a nice cup of something (cold or hot) and pen & paper. TY

[@michaelmatuszewski7231]

I started my first round of tomatoes a bit too early, which led to one of my cherry tomatoes bending over and getting kinked when I put them all outside to harden off. I figured I could save it by cutting it off the stem and rooting it in water, but I kept the stem so I wouldn't lose the label with the variety on it. While I was waiting for it to root, I saw that the stem put out some suckers and is working hard to keep growing. It's impressive how resilient these plants can be!

[@kschleich1950]

Jess your videos are awesome. You answer a lot of questions I have about tomatoes that other channels don’t tell you.

[@lucieyreux3146]

That was a great and thorough lesson on growing tomatoes 😊 Can’t wait to see your classes go live

[@laurafrey5244]

While I love your general farm life vlogs, I especially appreciate your videos that teach us!!! Thank you for these tomato tips and tricks. 🍅

[@christinemoreno7806]

You are such a silly girl. I'm also looking forward to sitting out in the tomato garden with a salt shaker. I haven't put any seating there yet. You always have such good ideas.

[@mollyhuthcins1249]

Planting my first "real" garden at age 64. Greenstalks, bottom watered five gallon buckets, bait trays (think lobster) and grow bags. These videos are so helpful.

[@debrathompson1780]

1st year Garden. Extremely hot & dry for Joplin Mo. In my move to JOMO I brought my Jessica skills w/me from TX. Cattle Panel Trellis, 40% shade cloth, base water (used older, flimzy hoses by punching tiny holes...came w/the house so why not) and pruning. Pruning & pruning! Tomatoes stopped setting fruit by late June but I harvested good amt of maters. I continued to prune & support them while I waited for Sept and a break of excessive heat. In mid Sept they woke up. Crikey!! I had more tomatoes than I dreamed. It was a jungle and quickly I was pruning daily!!! Nov 15th was forecast as 1st frost. I gathered any 'turning' maters. Gave 6 to 8 LBS of Green ones to large family on my block. Her plants fried in July :( . I was canning into Dec. (AKA) Soooo over it. I threw the rest in the freezer for stew/chili etc. This method works! Don't doubt 'The Jess'. LOL My garden is small. But w/trelling Shade Cloth, base watering & pruning, and of course painting my T-Posts, it was absolutely a big success.

[@heathernotzdaniels6350]

We are in Kansas City and I felt every word you typed. Last year was a rough year for our gardens and our tomatoes. I pulled all my green tomatoes, and ripened as many as I could in the house. I was surprised to get as much as I did, and I'm thankful I did that, as that was pretty much the only tomatoes I had for the season. Fingers crossed that this year is much better. I have some things in place to mitigate that horrible heat again that devastated my plants, just in case.

[@graehamjestin1493]

When I started gardening I found out the hard way I'm allergic to tomato tar, but that doesn't stop me from loving growing and eating them (and inevitably forgetting my gloves and breaking out in hives every week 😅)

[@FARMERMOMMA]

When the camera almost fell and you yelled zucchini! I laughed so hard ,😅 your passion inspired me a long time ago I started watching your channel and now I am about 5 years in on our large scale garden and it has been a passion of my own as well. Love your personality and how knowledgeable you are with all your experience. Thanks for creating the content... Wish I had a gal friend to hit up and be like how's your tomatoes doin... That might sound silly... But I don't have any female buds that garden or homestead and it takes so much of my time it makes up alot of who I am now and tbh I could use a woman to bounce off of... How do you preserve your sweet corn to make it as good as it is fresh?? Experience and recipes... I need all the info I can get

[@tamararobinson2069]

Jess - You’re just so Super Sweet!! You start my day Happy😊

[@cindyeasterling6917]

After discovering your tomato videos when you lived in Arkansas, I was inspired to garden again. You are in your element when you're in the tomato beds. Love it❤

[@lisaroush8079]

Jess, you're awesome! Thank you so much for these tips. I learn a little more each year, and each year things become less overwhelming. Bless you!

[@karenl7786]

Tomato lessons, always my favorite! 😊

[@tericamcginnis5848]

Is it fair to think you are past the hive /rashes? You know how to "relax" and take care of yourself? As you and the garden ramp up, remember to take time for you and your health. You matter. Love that we are back to garden content. It's the best! P.S. Yesterday I laughed at myself as I made video clips of my plants to log my garden. A very first for me! 💜💙💚💛😎

[@maryanndooley6085]

I've got about 6 little tomatoes on my plants. I'm on the northern east coast of NC. I'm so excited.

[@noranature]

This Thumb was so cute with bear and Zucchini is also so cute ❣

[@kcmckillip8115]

I love the "tomato tar" effect although I've never heard it called that before. The first time that happened, I was like "hey, I DO have a green thumb!" Thanks for all you do :)

[@donnasteward7670]

Thank you Jess for this tomato-growing update! From Illinois where it's only going to be 64 degrees today, what crazy weather.

[@andrewlittlefield3425]

Such a fresh garden video 😊

[@sn232]

I also loved your past tomato tip about using molasses, and weaving the plants thru the cattle panel as they grow works great. They stay in place no matter how windy, however yes, the little strips of fabric, or plant clips, to attach the straggler branches, or shorter plants, are so helpful :) LOVE YOUR VIDEOS!

[@alanepowell3882]

I grow tomatoes up both sides of a trellis like that. I basically stagger them in a zig zag about a foot apart with a trellis down the zigzag ...HOWEVER, I live and garden in the frigid north. Lol. Northwest MT is not particularly humid or hot. It will be in the 90s in August, but it's not nearly as humid as where you are. So it totally works to have tomatoes grow up both sides of this kind of trellising. ❤

[@evev2041]

Can't wait for the harvest video's. Those are my favorites 😊

[@SonniesGardenPA]

Hey Jess, Happy Gardening!

[@caydancebloom]

thank you so much for the tips on tomatoes. after resolving to not having a garden this year (decision made after a bunch of tomato seeds were planted, but didn't seem to germinate)... it turns out I will be having one. A last ditch effort with the seeds I brought them in the house next to a window that gets lots of sun and they came up! so many of them! and... as it turns out.... some of the winter sown seeds decided to make a showing. I'm nervous and stressed out moving forward (juggling bumbling through figuring out gardening with new learning differences in tow and settling a chaotic house)... but with videos like this... I mean WOW!! so much information... all the way down to the encore tip!

[@terrytt2932]

Your generosity is immeasurable!

[@yahushaschild2265]

Apparently I planted to many tomatoe plants in the same bed. After transplanting 7 a few days ago there are still 42 in 2 or 3 rows. We grow and learn.😂 Thanks for the video learned a lot.

[@miriantalbot6772]

Love all your tips JessAs always so insightful! Wish I was your neighbor I will take all the tomatoes shoots and rooted ..free plants

[@barbaramix1683]

Thank you for the tips. My tomatoes are doing great this year. I bless you and yours.

[@belieftransformation]

Great advice; thanks for sharing! Healthy looking plants! Blessings to all 🤗💜🇨🇦

[@havenfarms3811]

I love watching your content! You live my dream life😊

[@mountainsidelane9894]

Hi Jess! God bless you. 😊🌷❤️

[@dremaowens7570]

Thank you Jess for sharing your love and knowledge of the garden! You are a true blessing to so many 😊

[@rosecalabrese2624]

She sure is! 🙌😘

[@laurenloertscher1319]

Well timed, as I just decided to buy a tomato plant today

[@Mgaither]

I give all my tomato branch clippings to my chickens and they love them! Great video!

[@lizatrue7543]

Wow! You covered everything about growing tomatoes in this one video! I'll be sharing this because it's so informative. Thank you Jess! 🍅🍅🍅

[@anitavalerio7437]

Yes, I agree! Thank you, Jess ❤❤❤

[@leahharbison4932]

Bless you Jess !

[@The_mini_farm]

You have the cutest dimple.!!!😊

[@fromgardentopantrywithjell1326]

Love your tips. I do most of it, always learning. This year I am trying all sorts of ways to support my tomatoes. Old faithful cages, florida weave and trellises. with 200 plants, I have options!

[@bridgestew]

I got inspired by your microdwarf tomato filled Greenstalk and am doing something similar myself. If you wouldn't mind giving tips on what you are doing with that planting, I would be really grateful! I'm new to gardening, so I have a lot to learn. 😃

[@Kay-zo9ol]

Thanks for this video. I’m in SC zone 7b and have struggled with tomatoes. I now know they were not getting enough air flow because I never cut off suckers. Last year lost all of them from blight.

[@bendiesel7356]

Great video!! You mentioned if you stick the suckers directly in the ground during the HOT season they will struggle. I just get some of the garden soil & put in a cup to keep it in the window cill with the sucker inside. Works great! Also I will still stick the sucker in the garden soil and partially cover with the rite size plant pot for a week or so. All the best to ya!!🎉

[@ecocentrichomestead6783]

Yes, every persons situation is unique. IMO, many peoples problem is that they are looking for someone to follow every step. They want to do everything that person suggests and have everything turn out perfect. Life doesn't work that way. Videos like this need to be watched and listened to carefully so the viewer completely understands what's being shown. Then s/he can think it over to decide if it's good ideas for his/her situation with his/her resources.

[@kaetikat]

Tomato Tar!! Caught that at the end there - for all that is good and holy do NOT touch your nose or eyes when you've got that stuff on your hands. It burns!! haha I knew most of this except I always forget to cut the water down to pick the toms at their best. This year I found a Green Zebra variety and a Siam table tomato at my local farmers market and garden store (respectively). VERY excited to try them this year!

[@shamancarmichael5305]

It's Tomato Time!!! 🍅🍅🍅

[@samanthahoos9827]

Thank you! Catching vibes from your older tomato videos when I first fell in love with your style years ago. There are square tomato cages at Lowe’s that I open up and trellis 4 plants on and bamboo stakes from my cousin’s garden make great teepees over plants for structures.

[@Sky-Child]

Building my greenhouse this weekend so hopefully can start my tomato seedlings (FINALLY) Love your passion and information as always

[@mary_samuelson]

That lighting tho 😍☀️

[@deewinston5651]

Thanks Jess for all the tips. I’m so excited you will actually have a great harvest this year, after last year’s troubles. Blessings ❤️✝️

[@tinawagener7942]

I really loved this video, thank you! It has helped so much. I will begin to tie up my plants this weekend. 😃

[@sherryadess7507]

Jess thank you so very much for sharing the tomatoes tip’s much appreciated have a blessed day

[@debra_boyer]

Beautiful timing! Just got done planting all my tomatoes in the heat of the day ❤

[@rainwaterrefugehomestead2267]

I'm in my 3rd year growing tomatoes!! Hoping and praying for my best harvest this year!

[@jaytoney3007]

Their are also semi-detrminate varities, such as Dad's Sunset. Eight feet tall is the maximum height I will allow a plant to get. Ideally, I like to keep them below six feet tall. As the branches start to look sick, I prune them off from the bottom up.

[@lotus....]

Hog panels are much cheaper now days but they are a little shorter. They still make pretty good trellises. You can just raise them a little higher.

[@stephanieg5195]

Great informative video, thank you!

[@amboe13]

Where are your garden gloves? Hummmm? 😂. Always there never thought about! Black tip summer manicure!

[@sillieshouse7206]

Hello from Tucson AZ

[@roryfetter4851]

I tried two varieties of tomatoes 🍅 you suggested. You've been teaching me a lot. A terracotta and rosy finch! Thank you Jess 😊. I have never pruned, fertilized or tried some of these new types.

[@robingirven4570]

We purchased a drip tape system this year. Got our fencing today for trellises. The chicken tractor is done and now I wait. 2 more weeks before I can put tomatoes and peppers out. 🍅🌶

[@christyh.4092]

I'm planning to grind up eggshells and put around some tomatoes this year.