How to Prune Tomatoes for the Best Harvest 

Mr Gardener is genuine. Soft spoken and very knowledgeable. He has pondered and put many good thoughts together to educate us in a simple and practical way. I'm looking forward to many of his gardening videos to come. Thank you. Mr Gardener.

This is such a great video. I’m a new gardener and pruning is scary! I was afraid of “killing” my plants. This was so clear and easy to understand. Thank you!

Best tomato pruning video on Yt, bar none. Clear with good visuals. Well done.

Scott knows what he is doing and he is excellent at explaining how to prune. Good detail and easy to understand. Pruning tomatoes is hard to figure out at first. But if you watch Scott over and over and actually do it yourself and then go back and watch this video, it will become pretty clear what you can and can't do. Thank you Scott.

When I prune the tomatoes, I sometimes do not throw the cuttings away, but put the stronger offshoots in some bottles with water. Within a few days they develop roots and can then be planted in the ground or in a container. Of course, this is only useful in early summer when they still have enough time to develop into full plants. Because of the shortened growing season, their yield is also lower, but to me the effort is worth it. Plus, these plants make a great gift for all ages. Last but not least, it also helps me overcome my aversion to pruning. I strongly dislike pruning tomatoes, even though I know how important it is, especially in the relatively humid northern German climate. When I remember that the cuttings will find a new and better place to grow, I find it much easier to do what is necessary.

Gardener Scott, you are an effective, efficient, and interesting teacher: Filling the entire period with information that meets the teaching objective, with no time wasted. Thank you. I'm looking forward to a healthier, stronger, and more productive tomato patch this year!

Watched several other videos and I was left even more confused about how to identify a sucker vs. a sun leaf. Your video was crystal clear and I think I can now prune my tomatoes this year with confidence. Thank you!

Proud 53-year old stroke survivor and relatively new gardener growing tomatoes from seed. I learned about pruning a few weeks ago but your video has given me so much clarity and insight to be more nurturing to my plants. I feel like these are my babies! I am truly grateful for the wisdom and experience you’ve shared. Bless you! 🙏🏽

I never even knew that tomato plants should be pruned. This was very helpful and it all makes sense. Thank you!

You are a wonderful teacher, and i can understand your english because of your clear talking. Thanks from Turkey!

I must say you made more sense and gave more clarity than any other person, on any other channel! Kudos to you for not only knowing what to do, but have the ability to show others clearly. It's 1:30 in the morning here, and I want to take a flashlight out to my garden and start helping my plants.

You are my favourite gardening channel to watch. Your voice is so soothing lol

Thank you so much for these pruning instructions. The best tomato pruning explanation on RU-vid! I followed your instructions last year, and had my first bumper crop in years!

excellent video - slow clear talking, very clear graphic modeling -- I learned to understand why one would or would not prune in a certain way.

Excellent, clear demonstration and information! Wonderful as usual. Thank you

Videos like this never grow old, and will help new and old school gardeners alike for years. Thank you 🌱🌿🍅

Best explanation I have heard about pruning your tomatoes. Keep it simple, just the facts. You are really helpful to other gardeners.

This is the best gardening channel.on youtube, I think. The quality of information is superb.

Thank you for getting back to me!!

What a great video. I have a bunch of cherry and paste varieties in my garden, and pruning them has helped so much. Love your channel, please keep producing this kind of top-shelf content.

Just watched all your tomato videos, Scott, plus about a dozen others. I had lost my excitement for gardening -- thanks to your videos I know exactly why and what steps I want to take for this year's garden. One of the reasons I like your videos is because they are so detailed and show exactly what you do as you explain why you do it -- which is why I'd love to see how you tie your tomatoes up. It's probably obvious to most people but knowing where to tie, how much of the plant to tie, when to move your tie would be so helpful. (I've never grown indeterminate tomatoes.) Thanks!

Most clear presentation I've watched. Hoping my tomatoes would yield more fruits this time.

Best video on tomato pruning I've seen. Especially with regard to how many suckers to leave growing in relation to how high and bushy you want the plant to be. Excellent!

MY WIFE AND I, WE THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR ENLIGHTENING US IN OUR FIRST YEAR OF TOMATO GROWING!! VERY GOOD VIDEO.

Finally someone who explained and videoed perfectly!!! Thank you so much I now know how to prune or not prune Tomato plant's

Thanks! I am growing tomatoes for first time. Had no idea there was so much to learn. I really enjoyed your video. I am saving it to watch again. I can’t wait till tomorrow morning to go on my first “sucker safari!”

This explanation has cleared up everything I've been watching about pruning tomatoes. Really nice that you show the young plants and then the older plants.

Sir Gardner Scott, you gave a very thorough presentation about the types of tomatoes, their corresponding styles of pruning, you talked about pruning the sucker branches, and pruning branches close to the soil in a very clean and concise form. For that I thank you. I also want to compliment you on your style of presentation which combines the acting of Hollywood stars and the lecturing of university professors. Your knowledge impressed me. Your style of presentation of your knowledge fascinated me. Thanks again.

I loved the way everything was explained. So interesting , I appreciate the time you took to teach how to prune tomatoes. Thank you so much.

A really good, comprehensive and re-assuring video. Shows you can choose your own style of pruning according to your circumstances.

Thank you so very much, Gardener Scott! You are thorough and precise, and I actually am able to internalize your information.

I agree, this guy is really good. I always felt guilty about removing the suckers, but not any more thanks to Scott

Thanks a lot man, been applying some of your methods to my own garden, and I must say it's come a long way. Cheers.

Absolutely clear on what to do pruning wise. Thanks so much! I have 20 plants, all indeterminate heirlooms and all pruned up. I live in Southern Oregon about a mile in from the Pacific, so this is a big experiment. We have to contend with the marine layer. Even so, my plants are outside in gro-bags against a building. Already staked and trellised in their own microclimate. Three feet tall on June 8th.

Thank you! My yield was much greater. These plants seem immortal now lol!

Very helpful for first-time gardener.

You speak with clarity and that helps tremendously. I have learned from this video, and agree with much due to experience. Thank you for your time.

This is, by far, the BEST tomato pruning tutorial I have found. Many thanks Scott.

I grew Beefsteak tomatoes last year. Indeterminate. I knew something about pruning suckers... Which kept me busy!...but haven't pruned any major branches. This year I'm going to prune around the bottom as you suggested. Thanks for the video!

Thank you dear, for sharing your garden tips, you've been very helpful, just what I needed and very well explained. God bless you and your gardening 🙏🌿🌱🍓

Gardener Scott is like the Bob Ross of Gardeners,!!!! I love this cat...

Thank you for the clarity and "giving permission" and validating the fear of pruning the suckers that may have developed larger with flowers on them. I now know what I did incorrectly last year's garden. All my tomatoes went wild and did exactly what you described- disease, overrun beds, and not quality.

What a great video, I feel confident about pruning tomatoes this year! 🍅

Best tutorials that I have come across (and I have looked at a lot).

Thank you, GS, especially for the last part on helping me grow my plants out with strong stalks rather than up (past about 5 foot) in the space I have. Very educational and to the point. So many youtube channels spend time talking about everything under the sun rather than the stick to the topic they say they are going to cover

I'm so glad I found you. I'm a first year gardener. Your video is very informative and helpful ,thanks!

What a lovely man. A proper gardener!

You're the most informative videos I found on RU-vid yet! Other videos just tell you plant water prune Harvest but they don't go into detail on exactly how or why! I'm really learning a lot from your videos.!

Very helpful, clear instructions. Thank-you.

Thank you for such a clear understanding of what to do and when. It cleared up my understanding and I can feel more comfortable about it now. This is perhaps the clearest I have ever heard, Thanks Again.

Thank you for all your excellent videos. This is my first year trying to grow a garden in raised beds. I bought some tomatoes from the garden center and gifted some from a kind neighbor. They’re growing nicely. The problem is I don’t know if they’re determinate or indeterminate tomatoes. It may not matter, but I’m string trellising them anyway. This may seem silly, but I love touching all the plants. Very rewarding.

Such excellent instructions. Thank you!

Great clarity. The best tomato pruning tutorial I have seen. Thank you.

This was a very clear explanation on pruning tomatoes, Thank you Scott.

Great job explaining pruning. My dad always taught me about suckers and this was an amazing visual explanation.

I'm a visual learner and this was THE BEST video, hands down! Thank you for showing and explaining it start to finish!

Great instructional video. I appreciate the detailed explanation. Thank you for "teaching" me!

Wow... This was EXACTLY what I needed to know. Thank you so much ❤

best guide and simple explanation on growing tomatoes ive viewed on youtube for a novice grower such as myself ! thank you

Excellent as always Scott👍

Really like it Scott made me feel as if I may be able to grow great tomatoes. Thanks again I will try it in 2020 it gave me hope for something to do later

Great video. I'm glad you added that part towards the end, about leaving lower suckers and pruning the upper ones. I use cages and stakes, so about 5 feet is my height limit. Also, it seems that aside from being determinate vs non-determinate, the variety may change my pruning habits too. I grow a hybrid called Fourth of July. The fruit are rather small, very much like the store bought Campari tomatoes, and I usually don't prune the suckers at all, like I do for my Beefsteak varieties. I also give my plants at least 36" spacing so I can afford to let them get a little bushy.

Thank you for the most easiest to understand tomato pruning video!

Its amazing we can prune tomatoes. We enjoyed it and will certainly apply it. thanks a lot.

Thank you. Very helpfully explained. I like it how you explain the general rule and then when you may wish to break it (removing suckers but when you might leave them and why, and how what you do depends on how tall your trellis is).

This is one of the most informative tomato pruning videos I have come across. Great job explaining, with clear visuals and recommendations. Greatly appreciated! You have a new subscriber.

I enjoyed your video. When I plant tomatoes I dig a trench and lay them flat in the trench with a small amount sticking up and out. This guarantees all the little roots to help feed the plant. I add a chicken egg to that cavity with epson salt and a quarter cup of sugar. During growing time I add a small amount of 10-10-10 fertilizer. During growing time I snip off all the sucker leaves. The plant is to produce tomatoes not to be looking good. Water using common sense. I usually have to end the plants life because the season is getting too late. Remember this in growing tomatoes they love air and water and some nutrients. Sugar makes them taste sweet.

Very helpful, new info, will follow advice Thanks

the best tutorial i have seen on this subject. thank you!

Thank you so much for this info. This my first time planting tomatoes or any veggies. My tomatoes are running wild, but that is about to change. Again, thank you for the much needed info!

Thankyou for your clear, defined and sensible advice on pruning tomatoes.

A great explanation, as usual! Thanks!

Thanks. That told me the best info on pruning tomatoes I’ve heard.

best pruning tutorial ive seen. great tips. and even prepared a lot of samples for demo of actual pruning. thanks mr. scott! real helpful 👍

Thank you so much. I've been watching a lot of ppl, getting ideas. This is my 1st garden, and it's just me. My father taught me how to garden and is always there to answer my questions. He's never pruned, or staked and always has a huge beautiful crop. I didn't realize how much I knew even as far as transplanting flowers, or other yard work. I broke my pelvis 6* in 8 months. I finally had a plate put in after the 6th fracture. A yr later I could not lift my leg. Turns out I did the impossible and broke the metal plate. Long story short I was on crutches for almost two years. Less than a month after my last surgery, I bought a shovel & was digging up everything I could. However, I didn't walk for another month. I was determined to get better bc I finally have a yard. I planted 21 tomato plants in pots on my balcony last year & I'll never waste my time and energy to do pots ever again. Oh, my point of all this rambling was to say ty. I've watched countless vids and rarely finish. Most ppl say u can't have more than stem. Like they're the tomato police& will come seize your plant! I greatly appreciate your vids. You have the most calming voice I've ever heard

This is the best explanation of pruning tomatoes I've found so far. I've never been much of a pruner of tomatoes, but I think I will be pruning this year. Thank you, Gardener Scott! Always great content!

Just the info I was looking for! Thank you so much!

Best video I have ever heard and seen. Description great and great clarity. I can actually understand what to do.

Best pruning tomato video I have seen. I looked alot. Have to fight my wife for permission to cut any branch. Hopefully she will watch this video. Clear explanations. This guy must be a professor, or should be one.

I 2nd the motion on your clarity. It’s makes the difference. I will start pruning my determinate/indeterminate (not sure yet) as they grow. They’re about 16in tall now, but plenty of suckers already .

This was such an incredibly helpful video. Thanks so much. I guess I have a lot of pruning to do!

Excellent informative video. Thank you. Retired and ready to grow more vegetables.

The most clear and informative tomato video I have seen. Very helpful.

Very good video and explanation on how to prune a tomato plant. My plant is definitely ready to be pruned and I am happy that I came across your video, it’s so clear and interesting.

Very informative video, thank you! I liked that you spent some time going over all the details of pruning. It's my first time growing tomatoes :)

Thanks for the pruning tips , I am not growing in dirt so bugs are not so much of an issue , but was unaware of suckers so I will be looking out for that issue.

Thank you Gardener Scott, am growing tomatoes for the first time. This is indeed lecture 101. I gathered an extensive knowledge from growing tomatoes in such a short time. Blessings 👍👍

Thank you Scott! So much knowledge and good advices!

Great information. Trying to follow your tips this spring/summer. Thanks for the tips

Excellent as usual

Your knowledge is very valuable. Thank you again!

This guy is awesome answered all my questions

I let mine go crazy before pruning because I’m new to gardening and was scared I’d cut the wrong thing. I find it very hard to cut something off because I have this inherent mindset that it just feels wrong lol. Now I know how to do it and see mine are in desperate need of pruning. Better find my gloves. Thanks, this video was great and simple and concise.

Thank you for this video!! I am new to gardening and this was super informative and easy to understand!

I hope a grandchild or son is as passionate as you are with there garden's 🤞🙏 well put sir!

Thank you Gardener Scott, a very good explanation on how to prune tomato plants, and what plants to prune.

Another very helpful video. Thanks for sharing your knowledge 😊🍅

Wow, i just watched 3.32 min and i have to say, this is one of the best videos about tomatoes I ever watched!! ;) Cheers!

I must admit, I have never pruned my tomatoes except for low branches. I've read that the suckers won't bear fruit. I've never noticed that to be the case and from the video it seems that they indeed do. Usually, my plants are huge and bear vast quantities of great tomatoes, but they can get so big that even when ringed with many stakes and reinforced with multiple lines, they still end up falling over, and it can be a challenge to get to the tomatoes. This next season I think I'll try pruning two of my plants following your guidelines and see how that goes. You are right: it is very hard to prune my plants, but I'll take a deep breath and dive in. Thanks for the video.

Great information Gardener Scott! Thank you!