Comments on: Spacing for Tomato Plants

By: Pruning Tomatoes | Tomato Lover

Pruning Tomatoes | Tomato Lover — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 17:39:04 +0000

[...] method of pruning tomatoes in Living the Life in St Aignan and then in response to my post on Spacing Tomatoes Holylandswain recommended removing the lower leaves to maintain air circulation around closely [...]

By: Sally

Sally — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 15:48:02 +0000

I’m going to give this a go. Lots of foliage near the bottom of the plant also makes watering more difficult. I enjoy pinching out so I think I am ready to move on to a bit more drastic action in pruning. I will do some and leave others to see the difference and will post some pictures next week of the ‘shorn’ plants.

By: Hoylandswain

Hoylandswain — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 14:37:14 +0000

P.S. My red alerts are twelve inches apart.

By: Hoylandswain

Hoylandswain — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 14:34:07 +0000

For what it’s worth, I think the spacing depends on two things in particular: first, if the soil is very good with lots of nutrients, the plants can be closer; second, if you keep pruning off the leaves of cordon varieties (leaving about the top three big ones) once the first truss has set, there is plenty of air and light around the plants and the energy goes into the fruits and further upward growth. Tumblers in hanging baskets don’t need this. Few leaves = bigger crops and reduced risk of whitefly infestation / diseases. Lots of light and air = happy plants and ecstatic tomato lovers. Try it if you don’t believe and compare with plants that you don’t deal with like this. All is hunky-dunky in the Pennines. Great weather for toms.