tomato pruning technique

username5 · July 13, 2006

Hi folks, just found the forum, glad to be here.

The last few years I have been transitioning away from traditional growing methods to those which are less labor intensive (for me) such as raised bed, container and SqFt gardening.

As a result my tomatos (mostly heirloom indets) have been getting spaced closer and closer together. I haven't determined any dramatic yield differences between 3ft and 2ft spacing, but this year I shrunk it to 12" (ala SqFt method) and for the first time have pruned heavily.

At 12" spacing using a trellis for support pruning seems pretty much mandatory. Can't say anything about yield yet as the first green maters have formed only recently.

What has been your experience with pruning indets and trellising|staking whatever?

I am pruning to a single stem and removing all suckers so anyone who has gone that route or the sq ft route I would really like to read your experiences. Is it true that per plant yield drops, but yield per row foot increases or equals out?

Also, kind of an odd question, but anyone else find pruning tomatos really enjoyable? I dunno why, but I am finding my once per week pruning session about the most enjoyable garden activity this year.

July 13, 2006	#1
username5 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Zone 5 Wisconsin Posts: 117	tomato pruning technique Hi folks, just found the forum, glad to be here. The last few years I have been transitioning away from traditional growing methods to those which are less labor intensive (for me) such as raised bed, container and SqFt gardening. As a result my tomatos (mostly heirloom indets) have been getting spaced closer and closer together. I haven't determined any dramatic yield differences between 3ft and 2ft spacing, but this year I shrunk it to 12" (ala SqFt method) and for the first time have pruned heavily. At 12" spacing using a trellis for support pruning seems pretty much mandatory. Can't say anything about yield yet as the first green maters have formed only recently. What has been your experience with pruning indets and trellising\|staking whatever? I am pruning to a single stem and removing all suckers so anyone who has gone that route or the sq ft route I would really like to read your experiences. Is it true that per plant yield drops, but yield per row foot increases or equals out? Also, kind of an odd question, but anyone else find pruning tomatos really enjoyable? I dunno why, but I am finding my once per week pruning session about the most enjoyable garden activity this year.