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My tomato plants are looking healthy, and I plan to keep them that way, which is why I’m on the search for tomato-growing tips. I’ve already placed companion plants nearby to deter pests and added a plant pot in the soil to allow for deep watering.
But now I’m going to share one tomato-growing mistake you should avoid. If you skip this step in your tomato care, it can encourage disease and lead to a smaller harvest. And when you’re growing your own tomatoes to enjoy fresh off the vine, you’ll want to optimize your crop and avoid making any errors.
Failing to prune your tomatoes
The one mistake you could be making is not pruning your tomatoes. I’m not referring to pinching out tomatoes, which involves removing the side shoots on indeterminate plants (vining types that produce throughout the whole season), but rather to removing larger stems.
In fact, pruning your tomato plants can be key to a bumper harvest and help prevent disease.
So, before you get out your pruning shears and start snipping at your plants, here’s exactly what you should do.
LeafMeWander on Instagram says, “Leaving the bottom branches touching the soil creates a ‘splash zone’ for pests and fungal disease like blight. By snipping them off, you maximize airflow and keep your plants healthy — meaning a way longer harvest season and much bigger fruit!”
Apart from improving airflow, removing the lower leaves directs more energy toward fruit production and increases sunlight penetration.
And according to pinkwillow_farm, who also shares this pruning method on Instagram, you can start pruning the lower leaves as soon as you plant your tomatoes.
The best thing about this tomato-growing tip is that it takes hardly any time, and all you need is a clean and sharp pair of pruning shears to avoid spreading disease.
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