Most of the pruning will take place at the bottom of the plant. Newly formed stems will need to be removed. These stems take nutrients away from your tomato fruits. Many stems on the lower portion of the plant will not yield fruit.

Most sections of the plant should be easily pinched off. Pruning shears are not needed unless a piece is too big to break away by hand. Using pruning shears can open the plant up to possible infection. If you must cut something from your plant, it’s best to use a razor blade.

It can be a good idea to leave at least one stem on each time you prune. These stems can eventually produce extra tomatoes. You’ll want around 4 or 5 stems on your plant that are producing fruit. If tomatoes would be exposed to the sun, it’s best to leave stems and leaves on that area to provide shade. Don’t remove more than 1/3 of the total plant while pruning.

Pruning too often might remove more of the plant than is necessary. Leaving your plant without pruning could allow for unnecessary growth to occur. Harvesting tomatoes often can result in greater yields throughout the life of the plant. [6] X Research source

Most lower branches can be cut away from the plant. Cut away any new stems that are starting to grow from old ones. Any stems that don’t have either flower or fruit can be removed. Snap off any dead or discolored leaves.

Cutting off the top of the plant will prevent all upwards growth. It’s a good idea to only do this late in the growing season, before the first frost. Without the top stem in place, your tomato plant will focus growth into the fruit instead of the stems or leaves.

Determinate tomatoes are usually the best type of tomatoes to grow on your patio. Determinate tomato plants will likely not need to be pruned. Indeterminate tomatoes will usually require a wire or wooden stake to grow properly. Indeterminate tomato plants can benefit from pruning.

The exact amount of room required may vary between types of tomato plants. Always check the recommended space requirements for your tomato plant when considering a container. As a rule, though, each tomato plant will need a pot of at least 14 inches (35. 6 cm) in diameter. Most single plant containers will accommodate one tomato plant. Smaller planters will generally result in smaller tomato plants. You can plant multiple tomato plants in one container. However, you will need to make sure each plant has enough room to grow. Larger containers can allow the plant to grow more and may hold more water in the soil.

Use only high-quality potting soil mixtures when adding soil to your container. Your plants get nutrients from the soil you provide, so the better the soil, the more your tomatoes will thrive. Adding in compost can give your plants extra nutrients. Peat moss can be a good addition to your soil mix. Avoid using dirt or soil from your yard, as it may not contain the necessary nutrients or composition.