A tomato plant will grow “bigger” fruits if one garden job is done before the end of summer

Tomato plants are nearing the end of their growing season and there is plenty of ripe fruit ready to harvest, but there is one simple job that can lead to bigger yields.

Gardeners should remember to tear off the side shoots, also known as sticks, from tomato plants before the end of summer, so that the plant does not waste energy on new shoots that do not have time to grow.

Toni, a gardener and founder of Simple Frugal Life, has said that pinching tomato shoots also results in “bigger” fruit, as the plant directs its remaining energy to the existing fruit.

He explained: “If you leave your side shoots to grow and don’t pinch them out, the plants can become very heavy, tangled and difficult to control and manage.”

He added: “The plant invests its energy in the fruit instead of growing more leaves. If the plant produces too many stems, it can also reduce the air supply to the plant and thus increase the risk of disease.”

How to pinch shoots off tomato plants

All the shoots to be removed are easy to identify because they grow between the main stem of the tomato and the leafy branches.

All you have to do is pinch the shooter with your fingers, but for larger side taxes, you may need sharp scissors or scissors to cut it.

Toni said: “It’s easier to squeeze the shoots out when they’re small. You can just pinch your finger and thumb together, literally like you’re squeezing something, at the base of the shoot on the stem, and the shoots come off really easily.

Be sure to check your tomato plants at least twice a week until the end of their growing season, as established side shoots are more difficult to remove.

If you are dealing with a large side-shooter, be sure to use alcohol to wipe the scissors or scissors to reduce the risk of getting sick.

Toni said: “The advantage of pinching the young shoots of the father is that it leaves less scars on the plant, and so there is less chance of disease attacking it.”

Once you’ve cut the shoots, you can put them in your compost or garden basket, but don’t leave them on the ground, as decaying plant material can attract snails.

It’s important to pinch tomatoes regularly a few times a week in late summer to get bigger yields, but not to do it all in one job, as removing too many leaves at once can stress the plants.

Optionally, many gardeners also pinch the top of their tomato plants in late summer to control the plant’s growth, so it focuses entirely on ripening the fruit and improving airflow and sunlight exposure.

Toni said: “Some people also pinch the top of the growing plant when the tomato has at least five or six trusses, especially later in the season. This helps the plant use all its energy to grow and ripen the fruit.

“Other gardeners leave them until there are seven or eight trellises, because some varieties grow faster than others, and it depends on how early you sowed and planted them.”