Daily gardening tip · Southern hemisphere · Saturday 7 November 2026
Remove Tomato Suckers to Boost Yields
Trimming extra growth from tomato stems right now ensures your plants direct their energy into growing large, healthy fruit.
10 minuteseasypruning
Locate the joint where a main stem meets a leaf branch on vine tomatoes.
Look for small side shoots growing at a 45-degree angle in these crotches.
Grasp tiny side shoots firmly near their base with your thumb and forefinger.
Snap or pinch the shoot off cleanly without tearing the main stem's outer bark.
Use clean snips for thicker side shoots to avoid damaging the main vine.
Why it works
Side shoots consume vital water and nutrients to grow foliage that shades the plant. Removing them stops the vine from becoming an overly dense bush, improving airflow around leaves and focusing root energy directly into developing fruit.
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