How to prune tomato

Throughout the growing season; pinch tips in late summer (6-8 weeks before first frost). Snap or cut suckers when small (under 2 inches) by pinching between finger and thumb. For larger suckers, use clean scissors. Maintain one or two main stems on indeterminate varieties. In late summer, cut the growing tip (top the plant) to stop upward growth and push energy into ripening fruit.

Weekly during the growing season. Tomatoes, especially indeterminate varieties, need regular pruning throughout the season for best yields. Remove suckers — the shoots that develop in the leaf axils — to focus energy on fruit. Pinch the growing tip in late summer to direct resources to ripening existing fruits before the first frost. Determinate types need far less pruning.

Snap or cut suckers when small (under 2 inches) by pinching between finger and thumb. For larger suckers, use clean scissors. Maintain one or two main stems on indeterminate varieties. In late summer, cut the growing tip (top the plant) to stop upward growth and push energy into ripening fruit.