If your tomato plants survived the recent heatwaves, this simple 'pinching' trick could help them grow bigger, juicier produce all summer long — and it's so easy to try.
While watering and feeding are essential, removing the small leafy growth in the V-shaped joint between the main stem and leaf stalk directs the plant's energy into producing fruit, rather than growing unnecessary stems and leaves.
'Removing the small side shoots that grow between the main stem and branches helps tomato plants direct more energy into producing fruit rather than excess leafy growth,' says Amber Tunney, plant buyer at Cherry Lane Garden Centres. 'This is particularly important for cordon tomato varieties, especially those grown in greenhouses or trained against supports.'
Wondering how to 'pinch' out your tomatoes? Take a look at the top simple steps to follow below:
How to 'pinch' out your tomatoes
1. Locate the shoot: look at your plant's stem and find a point where a side branch (leaf) emerges from the main upright stem. It will look like a 'V' shape, growing straight out of the stem at a 90-degree angle (see the image above).
2. 'Pinch' the shoot: you don't need secateurs or scissors for this simple job. You can remove them by snapping them downward with your fingers. They will snap off very quickly.
However, according to a tomato farmer from Cirio Farmers, it's best practice not to remove every shoot.
'While many gardeners pinch out every side shoot, we always leave one side shoot to develop, just in case. This "extra" branch can act as a backup, producing additional fruit and helping the plant remain productive if the main stem is damaged or slows down,' they explain.
'Removing side shoots encourages plants to grow upwards, which can lead to taller plants, better airflow around the fruit, and a more abundant crop.'
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