fall pruning question

wally mcgee · September 2, 2013

I live in zone 5a so my first fall frost date is about 30 days away.

Should I top my tomato plants so the energy will go to the existing fruit?
I was curious how some of you manage your tomato plants in the fall.

amideutch · September 2, 2013

Went out today and topped my container plants with some hitting 8 feet. Even though October is when we get hit with frost there is no way new flower clusters are going to mature and the smaller fruit will not be ripe when the first frost hits.

Ami

travis · September 2, 2013

I live in 6b, and our usual frost is between Oct. 21 and Nov. 11, something like that. But I feel the cool weather will be a bit earlier this year.

Anyway, I suggest topping your plants now. I topped all mine yesterday, even cutting off some stems that had small, green tomatoes. I also pruned back a lot of excess foliage around the periphery of the cages. This allows more sunlight in, now that the sun is lower in the sky than mid-summer, and promotes quicker ripening.

Also, start saving glass containers (pickle jars, etc.) or go buy a case or two of Ball jars. There's all sorts of green tomato pickle and relish recipes that are delicious, and make good gifts around the holidays.

wally mcgee · September 2, 2013

Quote:

Originally Posted by travis

I live in 6b, and our usual frost is between Oct. 21 and Nov. 11, something like that. But I feel the cool weather will be a bit earlier this year.

Anyway, I suggest topping your plants now. I topped all mine yesterday, even cutting off some stems that had small, green tomatoes. I also pruned back a lot of excess foliage around the periphery of the cages. This allows more sunlight in, now that the sun is lower in the sky than mid-summer, and promotes quicker

Also, start saving glass containers (pickle jars, etc.) or go buy a case or two of Ball jars. There's all sorts of green tomato pickle and relish recipes that are delicious, and make good gifts around the holidays.

Thanks, I think I will check out some of those relish recipes.

PaulF · September 2, 2013

I just let nature take its course. No trimming, no topping. By this time of most years we have so many more tomatoes than we and everyone in our small village can use. This year the onslaught came a couple of weeks late but right now we can't even give them away. We freeze lots of tomatoes but still have too many.

b54red · September 2, 2013

I have a while to wait down here before I have to consider topping mine. I don't just top them but clip every growing tip and sucker that doesn't have fruit already set when it gets about a month from first frost which can vary widely here. Sometimes I time it right and other times I miss completely.

Bill

wally mcgee · September 2, 2013

Looks like I better get busy pruning. Its been a great year for my tomatoes here.....but sad to see it end. Already getting my fall greens going in the hoop house.

wally mcgee · September 3, 2013

Well, my 8&1/2' German Pink tomato plants are now 6' and under.

I wonder how big they would get left unchecked by weather? Oh well, such is life in 5a.

Ed of Somis · September 3, 2013

Funny, this thread was handled so differently than a similar thread regarding tomato pruning last month. During that discussion...I was in the minority who believed that pruning would definately direct more vigor to remaining fruit. Many did not agree...It again, just seems so similar in principle (to me) as to why peach growers thin their peaches in Spring. Oh well, I live in warm SoCal...but I am sure I would adhere to the pruning in Fall regimen if I lived in Iowa.

September 2, 2013	#1
wally mcgee Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: peru, Iowa zone 5a Posts: 167	fall pruning question I live in zone 5a so my first fall frost date is about 30 days away. Should I top my tomato plants so the energy will go to the existing fruit? I was curious how some of you manage your tomato plants in the fall.

September 2, 2013	#2
amideutch Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Germany 49°26"N 07°36"E Posts: 5,041	Went out today and topped my container plants with some hitting 8 feet. Even though October is when we get hit with frost there is no way new flower clusters are going to mature and the smaller fruit will not be ripe when the first frost hits. Ami __________________ Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting ‘...Holy Crap .....What a ride!'

September 2, 2013	#5
PaulF Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Brownville, Ne Posts: 3,296	I just let nature take its course. No trimming, no topping. By this time of most years we have so many more tomatoes than we and everyone in our small village can use. This year the onslaught came a couple of weeks late but right now we can't even give them away. We freeze lots of tomatoes but still have too many. __________________ there's two things money can't buy; true love and home grown tomatoes.

September 3, 2013	#8
wally mcgee Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: peru, Iowa zone 5a Posts: 167	Well, my 8&1/2' German Pink tomato plants are now 6' and under. I wonder how big they would get left unchecked by weather? Oh well, such is life in 5a. __________________ Rob

September 2, 2013	#3
travis Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Evansville, IN Posts: 2,984	I live in 6b, and our usual frost is between Oct. 21 and Nov. 11, something like that. But I feel the cool weather will be a bit earlier this year. Anyway, I suggest topping your plants now. I topped all mine yesterday, even cutting off some stems that had small, green tomatoes. I also pruned back a lot of excess foliage around the periphery of the cages. This allows more sunlight in, now that the sun is lower in the sky than mid-summer, and promotes quicker ripening. Also, start saving glass containers (pickle jars, etc.) or go buy a case or two of Ball jars. There's all sorts of green tomato pickle and relish recipes that are delicious, and make good gifts around the holidays.

September 2, 2013	#6
b54red Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Alabama Posts: 7,068	I have a while to wait down here before I have to consider topping mine. I don't just top them but clip every growing tip and sucker that doesn't have fruit already set when it gets about a month from first frost which can vary widely here. Sometimes I time it right and other times I miss completely. Bill

September 3, 2013	#9
Ed of Somis Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Somis, Ca Posts: 649	Funny, this thread was handled so differently than a similar thread regarding tomato pruning last month. During that discussion...I was in the minority who believed that pruning would definately direct more vigor to remaining fruit. Many did not agree...It again, just seems so similar in principle (to me) as to why peach growers thin their peaches in Spring. Oh well, I live in warm SoCal...but I am sure I would adhere to the pruning in Fall regimen if I lived in Iowa.