Late Summer Tomato Pruning — Tip to Maximize Fall Yield

To maximize your harvest of ripe tomatoes into the fall, you must do some top-pruning on your tomato plants. Painful! Yes, I know.

Here is the rational:

• The vines will continue to grow, setting new tomatoes that have no chance of ripening.
• Days are growing shorter and the temperatures are cooling. This means that growing and ripening a tomato takes considerably longer than in mid-summer.
• Top pruning causes the strength of the vine to go into ripening the tomatoes that are already set and beginning to put on some size.
• Perform this pruning chore about six weeks before your first expected frost. Now your little toms have a chance to provide you with a final glorious harvest.

Happy pruning and an even happier harvest!