To Prune or NOT to Prune Tomato Plants?

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  • @joebloggs619
    @joebloggs619 3 ปีที่แล้ว +136

    I had this argument about pruning tomatoes with others. Last year, we all decided to settle it once and for all. We each grew a plant OUR way. One pruned radically, one moderately and one not at all. They all fruited OK but the moderately pruned one did best of all because sir could circulate and plant energy was not wasted. The unpruned one sprawled on the dirt and got diseased and eaten by insects. The radically pruned one was staked and just kept growing upwards. It produced not as much as the others but it was nice fruit. However, fierce sun burnt it

    • @barneyrubble4827
      @barneyrubble4827 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Exactly what I was thinking would happen with heavily pruned👍

    • @Lioness_UTV
      @Lioness_UTV 2 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      Thanks for this. I have always pruned moderately and gotten great results and have always wondered if I should prune more or not at all. Great vlog 👍

    • @jeanniewahine5443
      @jeanniewahine5443 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      Your experiment had a flaw in that you didn't support the unpruned plant. Had the other two plants been in contact with the soil, they too would have similar disease and insect damage.

    • @rafaels5223
      @rafaels5223 2 ปีที่แล้ว +11

      For indeterminate tomatoes, I prune to ensure airflow, remove unnecessary leaves (takes away from fuller, robust fruit), and avoid excessive sprawl. I keep the plants off the ground. My early girls grow 8-10 feet tall but produce buckets. The plants are 2 feet apart. So...this year, for example, one plant has 22 tomatoes developing in the first foot and a half of growth. I control suckers to prevent sprawl but suckers are very productive. I get 3-4 large harvests each year in California. If you do the math that is 66-100 tomatoes per plant. Single stem planting does not ring true for me since I focus on quantity and quality. The idea of planting other veggies between tomatoes doesn't work for my way of growing except in the first month and a half of growth as the plants are small. For determinate plants i prune to ensure airflow focusing on the energy-sapping leaves. Some suckers need to be removed but seldom. Given California's weather I'm able to get a second surge of growth from some of the determinate plants like ace. As always fertilize, keep the calcium and phosphorous feeding on schedule and periodic deep watering is critical. Stressing the tomatoes is not part of my philosophy of growing tomatoes since I moderate watering diligently. Oh, the airflow requirement also ensure access by beneficial insects -- the bumblebees and carpenter bees are my best tomato pollinators. Tomatoes take a lot of work but the end result for canners, salsa makers, and salad lovers is exceptionally satisfying and delicious. Thanks for this video.

    • @wallyosmond9204
      @wallyosmond9204 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      I think the real secret is just prune anything that touches the ground. If it really gets too thick prune off some leaves for airflow since you're likely artificially preventing it from spreading out. It's not too difficult to get great results. Hardly pruned anything but diseased leaves off 4 plants last summer just to see. They got primo sun and it was ridiculous how much they produced.

  • @franko3006
    @franko3006 3 ปีที่แล้ว +279

    I've been growing tomatoes for 20 years. I prune every leaf below the flowers once a week it increases food to the tomatoes they grow bigger and healthier. I average 12 to 18kg per plant. Last year I got 170kg from 10 plants. My cherry tomatoes do the same and got buckets full from 5 plants

    • @Cam-qx2bq
      @Cam-qx2bq 3 ปีที่แล้ว +7

      Wow. How do you fertilise them?

    • @declanbrown
      @declanbrown 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@Cam-qx2bq mm

    • @MichelleLDyer
      @MichelleLDyer 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      Have you ever got horn worms

    • @comanchejr921
      @comanchejr921 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      Is that indeterminate and determinate?

    • @lucielou7745
      @lucielou7745 2 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      Hi, when you say "every leaf below the flowers" do you mean for the entire plant or just that stem? Are you in Australia? If so what do you do for fruit fly, they damaged most of my tomatoes here in queensland last summer.

  • @nancyates9822
    @nancyates9822 5 ปีที่แล้ว +315

    When I pruned my tomatoes I put the pruned branches in a solo cup with potting soil.in 7 days they were full of roots.i planted them an have many new plants.

    • @markpang8847
      @markpang8847 5 ปีที่แล้ว +8

      Hi Nancy. Did you put those pruned branches in water or soil? Thanks for your help.

    • @nancyates9822
      @nancyates9822 5 ปีที่แล้ว +26

      @@markpang8847 hi Mark.i put them in reg potting soil.they root very fast!

    • @markpang8847
      @markpang8847 5 ปีที่แล้ว +10

      Mahalo Nancy. Wish me luck. 🤙

    • @nancyates9822
      @nancyates9822 5 ปีที่แล้ว +17

      @@markpang8847 just be sure to keep them moist till they root. You'll be amazed!! Blessings!!

    • @dylanzrim1011
      @dylanzrim1011 5 ปีที่แล้ว +7

      Mark Pang tip.
      Put small amount of water soluble fertiliser in a container with water. Place the potted cutting in the water leaving an inch or two clearance for root growth.
      If it gets cold use clear plastic wrap and a container large enough to support leaf growth under the plastic

  • @MrGreattaco
    @MrGreattaco 3 ปีที่แล้ว +105

    I watch so many of this guys vids that I make his accent when I explain gardening to others

    • @PercussusResurgo
      @PercussusResurgo 3 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      That's funny but I totally agree! All Hail the words of our Self Sufficient Leader

    • @slabbadanks5829
      @slabbadanks5829 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      lmfao

    • @jthor3097
      @jthor3097 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      🤣 Well, if you must imitate someone it might as well be Mark, one of the best. 🤣

    • @familymanof6169
      @familymanof6169 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      LMAO! Me too. And I just started watching him a few days ago. He's addicting and a Hell of a Gardener. I've been gardening for forty-five years and have learned already from this gentleman.

    • @summer303
      @summer303 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      As an Aussie who shares his accent, I wish I could do this 😂

  • @LB-vl3qn
    @LB-vl3qn 5 ปีที่แล้ว +70

    Mark, I can't watch as often as I'd like, but I watch when I can. Every time I check in on you, I find that your channel has grown by leaps and bounds. Every time. I remember when you were questioning your YT presence at about 22k subs. Look at you now. I'm so proud of you!
    Great info on tomatoes. My mouth was watering at the sight of those beautiful cherry toms. Have one for me. ~ Lisa

  • @lamykaswiccanpodcast
    @lamykaswiccanpodcast 5 ปีที่แล้ว +65

    This should be required viewing for gardeners; I seriously learned more in this short video about Tomato than hours of research and BS tutorials. Mahalo!!

  • @AHagridLookalike
    @AHagridLookalike 5 ปีที่แล้ว +151

    There’s not many things better than that sweet, slightly warm cherry tomato fresh off the vine.

    • @gibbyrockerhunter
      @gibbyrockerhunter 5 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      I dont know man. Ground cherries are pretty ultimate.

    • @ang350
      @ang350 4 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      Dennis McFall I also love yellow pear tomatoes.

    • @zemanken
      @zemanken 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      I NEED THEM! I love my "Chocolate Sprinkles" variety, such a beautiful red-watermelon color.

  • @tonybosso9150
    @tonybosso9150 5 ปีที่แล้ว +44

    This channel is has been one of the best inspirations for my small family farm. Thank you, first of all for your service to your country (Vet here myself) and also for all that you do on your home and allowing all of us to see. I also have designed and built my raised beds gathering ideas from your designs and am hoping to build a tomato tunnel similar your gourdes. Thanks again !

    • @Selfsufficientme
      @Selfsufficientme  5 ปีที่แล้ว +7

      G'day Tony and thank you for your service! I'm glad you've been able to get some ideas from my vids and adapt them to your own property. Best of luck with your tomato tunnel - it's a great way to grow them! Thanks for taking the time to say hello mate, cheers :)

  • @MycketTuff
    @MycketTuff 5 ปีที่แล้ว +24

    Wrote this long deliberate comment about how much appreciate channels with homesteading and self-sufficiency.. turned into a rant.
    I guess all I really need to say is: Huge thanks for sharing, truly.

  • @Amnesianite
    @Amnesianite 2 ปีที่แล้ว +7

    Your videos feel so stable and refreshing. Not tons of editing, random clipping bits, or any of the nonsense of today's common. Just a long winded, in a good way, discussion on how you go about it. It's nice to click a video and know it's exactly what expected all the way through. The bit of knowledge I pick up here and there is a bonus on that. Good on you for being true to your community

  • @martinsmith251
    @martinsmith251 5 ปีที่แล้ว +14

    2 things in life you cannot buy. True love and home grown tomatoes. Love the channel. Trying to keep the larger variety going in my poly-greenhouse, here in Ipswich, over winter

  • @smc130
    @smc130 5 ปีที่แล้ว +124

    My cherry tomatoes are producing now and they’re delicious! I’ve been confused about pruning them and this video has really helped.

    • @terriesmith8219
      @terriesmith8219 5 ปีที่แล้ว +7

      Cherry tomatoes are my favs!!

    • @lactofermentation
      @lactofermentation 5 ปีที่แล้ว

      Lucky! The ground was too wet to do anything with until late May, so my first ones are still maturing. ♥ Cherry tomatoes!

    • @familydinner1
      @familydinner1 5 ปีที่แล้ว +8

      Did you prune or not?

  • @epicgardening
    @epicgardening 5 ปีที่แล้ว +260

    Great topic Mark - a classic tomato question answered!

    • @Selfsufficientme
      @Selfsufficientme  5 ปีที่แล้ว +23

      Thanks Kevin! :)

    • @flawdajit5845
      @flawdajit5845 4 ปีที่แล้ว +28

      The crossover of the century

    • @be0ba739
      @be0ba739 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      @@flawdajit5845 lol so true

    • @lucasbennett7717
      @lucasbennett7717 3 ปีที่แล้ว +14

      My two dads showing love, bloody legends

    • @user-lr1yr9ds7g
      @user-lr1yr9ds7g 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@lucasbennett7717 hahaha true

  • @jennysandberg6874
    @jennysandberg6874 5 ปีที่แล้ว +8

    This was so useful. Right now I have 18 tomato plants in my garden, fingers crossed for a good crop. Thank you from the Netherlands.

  • @Sundayswingerz
    @Sundayswingerz 3 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    This is seriously one of my favorite channels on TH-cam currently! You do an amazing job. Thank you so much for your guidance and knowledge! Cheers from Washington state!

  • @truthtriumphant5503
    @truthtriumphant5503 3 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    This is our first year with taking off the bottom branches...am excited to see how well it works.

  • @JamieBainbridge
    @JamieBainbridge 5 ปีที่แล้ว +40

    I found a dozen tomato plants in the back lawn, growing via giving the dogs tomato as snacks. You inspired me to pot a couple and keep looking after them. So far so good! Hopefully I'll get some tasty fresh fruit one day :)

    • @Selfsufficientme
      @Selfsufficientme  5 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      Good move! Hope they grow fruitful! Cheers :)

    • @timan2039
      @timan2039 5 ปีที่แล้ว +15

      When I was a kid there was a Pizzeria near my Grandmother's house, they tossed veggies out the back door and tomatoes were popping up. With our hands we siblings dug some up and transplanted them in her back yard, the were very prodigious.

    • @garethbaus5471
      @garethbaus5471 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@timan2039 that sounds like an awesome idea.

    • @bassy-xh1rk
      @bassy-xh1rk 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      maby a bit late but tomatoes are toxic for dogs

    • @JamieBainbridge
      @JamieBainbridge 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@bassy-xh1rk Nonsense.

  • @susank6267
    @susank6267 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Very helpful as always. I've grown tomatoes "by the seat of my pants" in the past. They turned out pretty good but this year I decided to learn more about how to grow them better. Thanks so much!

  • @jpat1944
    @jpat1944 5 ปีที่แล้ว +18

    Excellent. I like how easy it is to watch. You speak slowly and clearly and address concerns quickly. Subbed

    • @patrciaclemons8183
      @patrciaclemons8183 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      Interesting. Very good info, I actually have to speed his videos up sometimes 1.25x-1.5x

    • @Stettafire
      @Stettafire 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Hello Vista profile pic, that's a throwback :)

  • @joannevroon3607
    @joannevroon3607 5 ปีที่แล้ว +68

    Pruning tomatoplants is my actual job. Good explaination. Love the channel.

    • @familydinner1
      @familydinner1 5 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Would you recommend pruning Sungold tomatoes? Ours have gotten massive and taken over our garden box.

    • @shanemcree5521
      @shanemcree5521 5 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      I'm impressed

    • @Randemoller
      @Randemoller 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      I just transplanted my tomato plant to get it away from a cactus but now all the leaves are looking sad... what should I do?!

    • @staceepayne8787
      @staceepayne8787 4 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      @@Randemoller Awww,nobody answered you! I hope it survived! I'm no gardener of the world but I do have plants that somehow are okay,and I would say go over everyday and get close,then speak reassuringly and ever so lovingly tell it you will do all you can to make sure it has everything it ever needs to thrive beauitfully!
      Hey it can't hurt!

    • @Randemoller
      @Randemoller 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      Stacee Payne thanks I trimmed it a bit fed it and cut some parts off crossing my fingers!!

  • @melodytenisch6232
    @melodytenisch6232 5 ปีที่แล้ว +7

    Thanks Mark; another winner! I agree with your other fans; you're a treat to watch and learn from. Blessings to you and your family!🙏👵🌱💞👍👍

    • @Selfsufficientme
      @Selfsufficientme  5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Thanks Melody and blessings to you also! :)

  • @Eric-gi9kg
    @Eric-gi9kg 5 ปีที่แล้ว +11

    Mark ...
    Great video. Though I don't have tomatoes this year ...I have had them in the past. I agree 100% Determinate should be left alone. Though the pruning at least a foot from the base is always a good idea to keep dessease at bay.
    Always enjoy watching your channel.

    • @Selfsufficientme
      @Selfsufficientme  5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Thanks Eric for your input and experience! Cheers mate :)

  • @JohnVance
    @JohnVance 4 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Just put my cherry tomatoes in the ground today, thanks for all the tips! Maybe the best gardening channel on TH-cam.

  • @vq2vx
    @vq2vx 4 ปีที่แล้ว +14

    Wish I had come across this video last week...before I massively pruned what turns out to be my determinate tomato plant 😭

  • @musa2775
    @musa2775 5 ปีที่แล้ว +13

    This is my favorite new channel. You're approaching this scientifically for the benefit of the rest of us gardeners. As a first-time 🍅 plant grower (on my apartment balcony), I greatly appreciate your efforts. Subscribed!

    • @tonystephengrayson
      @tonystephengrayson 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Snap! I only have a balcony and I'm trying tomatoes this year. How did you get on?

    • @musa2775
      @musa2775 2 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      @@tonystephengrayson hey! They ended up getting blossom end rot but a few were viable and they tasted very good. I would do a sweeter variety than San Marzano next time though. The other plants (peppers, strawberries, herbs) did great! I recommend some kind of mulch if you're in a dry climate. In Colorado, mine just CHUGGED water twice a day.
      Edit: definitely get a tomato cage cone thing!

    • @tonystephengrayson
      @tonystephengrayson 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@musa2775 thanks for replying. I'm trying sun gold, and rubylicious. Also tumbling tom. Throwing myself in the deep end i know🤣 I'll be caging 2 and growing 2 as single cordons to see the difference. I live in London, so the weather is hit and miss. I will definitely use mulch👍

  • @mplotusflower
    @mplotusflower 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Lovely, thank you so much. Great clarification! I am growing my first veggie garden in years, and have one big tomato and one black cherry tomato, can't wait!

  • @lucielou7745
    @lucielou7745 2 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Thanks Mark! I’m growing my first veggie patch because of your videos :) I’ve grown tommy toe tomatoes and am about to go and prune the small suckers off.

    • @everready19373
      @everready19373 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      I just pulled an old dresser out of the trash. I'm going to convert it into a raised bed. Even if it only lasts 2-3 season, that's ok with me. Besides, it was FREE!!

  • @christiandeininger1790
    @christiandeininger1790 5 ปีที่แล้ว

    I've been gardening for years my tomatoe plants are doing a lot better now after watching your videos . Even one of your previous videos I thought I might have been one of the only ones growing tomatoes in winter because there are less fruit flies which I discovered about a few years ago especially growing them in south east Queensland , I was over the moon when you were doing the same bloody brilliant mate

  • @iDreamOfOkra
    @iDreamOfOkra 5 ปีที่แล้ว +391

    You, sir, are the Russel Crowe of gardening! Subbed! Love your channel

    • @Selfsufficientme
      @Selfsufficientme  5 ปีที่แล้ว +20

      Thank you :)

    • @RickWeberEcon
      @RickWeberEcon 5 ปีที่แล้ว +20

      You are, after all, the Russell Crowe of your garden rows!

    • @leamog
      @leamog 4 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Ricky Gervais of gardening?

    • @RTORC78
      @RTORC78 4 ปีที่แล้ว +22

      The Garden Gladiator. Yes I am entertained.

    • @nefertitioshuntahcee
      @nefertitioshuntahcee 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      RTORC78 lol

  • @MowBeta
    @MowBeta 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    As a novice gardener, I thank you for the focused info about pruning or not pruning tomato plants. So much to learn about gardening.... focused info makes it easier.

  • @graytv-7345
    @graytv-7345 5 ปีที่แล้ว +12

    I have a garden myself I find your video
    Very helpful

    • @Selfsufficientme
      @Selfsufficientme  5 ปีที่แล้ว

      Thank you and all the best with your garden! :)

  • @katiehemstreet8939
    @katiehemstreet8939 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    This was awesome! I always prune the deceased and lower branches, but other than that I just let them go crazy! I always thought I was doing something wrong, but I didn't want to over prune and miss out on fruit. This made me feel so much better! Thanks!

  • @suminba642
    @suminba642 5 ปีที่แล้ว +8

    Thanks for the info, very helpful. Last year I pruned my cherry tomato plants and I didn't get much tomatoes at all. This year, I will not prune my cherry tomato plants.

    • @lionolee5480
      @lionolee5480 5 ปีที่แล้ว

      I been pruning all my tomatoes plants and this morning i did it again now after watching the video i wish i didnt prune my cherries tomatoes

  • @billk9628
    @billk9628 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I used the same strategy, and had great success. I chose to grow indeterminate plants like Better Boy and Super beef steak Hybrid. I could plant 3 each and get 15 to18 bushels a year, that I cooked down to about 120 quarts. My plants got to 8 to 9 feet tall every year and I had so many tomatoes I would give them away. My season was shorter in Wisconsin, but if you do things right, you WILL get way more than you can handle. So many people plant dozens of plants and can't get anywhere near what I used to get. You don't need that much space, just good prep work in the soil and good planning for the growth! You can kill the weeds with black plastic in early spring, just cover your garden with it. It absorbs heat from the sun, which encourages growth, and at night the cold kills it off. Do this early in April and repeat til the end of May. Then til your ground every other week to keep killing competition off. Then add 20/10/10 fertilizer to the soil,(or if organic, then try chicken waste, horse waste). I'd stay away from cow waste because they eat everything, so you will get lots of weeds in your fertilizer. When planting time comes, I always set my soaker hoses just where I needed, then covered in black plastic , with holes for water drainage. Stake down that plastic, then its time to plant. Pick your spots not far from the hoses, cut the plastic and remove a large coffee can full of dirt. Replace with PEET moss, and mix in the dirt into the hole, then plant your plants! If you do this one step, you will avoid split tomatoes, and increase your yield by 10% if not more. This creates a consistent water supply that stops splitting of skin. This will save you over half your crop how ever you grow it, With GMO fertilizers or with organic! I used to use Concrete wire for tomato cages, It's 5 feet wide, comes in 50 to 100 foot rolls, and if you cut it on the 5 foot end 1 foot into the mesh, roll it up in 7 foot lengths, you get a 3.5 foot diameter cage that will withstand most all wind storms, (Not all). Plus you can reach through the 6 inch square holes and get almost every tomato from inside the cage. Use copper sulfate to protect against blytes, The lime in the soil helps with Blossom end rot( but egg shells will do the same if you raise chickens), and if you use miracle grow with all of these, I guarantee you the month of August will be a cross between heaven and Hell!

  • @jailsonmaria
    @jailsonmaria 5 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    I had a great harvest prunning my tomatoes... greetings from Brazil!

  • @alexaskew70
    @alexaskew70 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    For those in less tropical climates with less light 1. Use a UV light for seedlings 2. You can plant the sideshoots for new plants. Both of these will result in plants with flowers and fruit lower down. 3. Water with lukewarm rather than cold water 4. If potted and not plastic then use a plastic liner in the pot. 5. If prone to large amounts of rain in late summer then better in pots, or find a way to stop the ground becoming water logged.

  • @RockingCHomestead
    @RockingCHomestead 5 ปีที่แล้ว +15

    Great tips! Being a beginner this type of instructional videos are so helpful!

  • @joeserious6505
    @joeserious6505 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Loving your videos mark. I threw some cherry tomatoes around a building site and forgot. a few months later, we discovered plants growing well with succulent red cherry tomatoes on them - without any help, watering, pruning or nurturing from anyone. You’ve explained that mystery now!

  • @colleenmcintosh6974
    @colleenmcintosh6974 5 ปีที่แล้ว +108

    Watching from Canada, love your channel and I’m glad I subscribed. Thanks 🙏🏻

    • @Selfsufficientme
      @Selfsufficientme  5 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Thank you for subscribing to my channel Colleen! :)

    • @colleenmcintosh6974
      @colleenmcintosh6974 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Self Sufficient Me the pleasure is all mine...am learning a ton of valuable information. Thanks for sharing your knowledge and experience 🙏🏻

    • @belyndayoung7763
      @belyndayoung7763 4 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      From Canada too. Love this channel as well. Never gardener before but starting a container garden this year.

    • @colleenmcintosh6974
      @colleenmcintosh6974 4 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Belynda Young great idea, think it behooves everyone to start their victory gardens too. Started last year and we are doubling our gardens next weekend. Can’t wait to get planting, so exciting to get growing! Good luck in your gardening efforts.

    • @belyndayoung7763
      @belyndayoung7763 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@colleenmcintosh6974 Thanks. I am excited to get started too

  • @LRonBrundlefly
    @LRonBrundlefly 5 ปีที่แล้ว

    i've been growing bush tomato hybrids for several years now, and i will never go back. Quite literally set them, and forget them. One 20 inch diameter, hog wire tube cage each is all the support they need. prolific fruit production with zero maintenance, staking, training, pruning.

  • @dorothykerby9063
    @dorothykerby9063 5 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    I watch everyone of your videos. I also live in SE QLD and so all your videos are relevant to me and my gardening. The thing I would love is (perhaps) a weekly video, or list of what vegies you are planting, so I can have an idea of what is great to plant and when. Ta Mark

    • @lynettemerry
      @lynettemerry ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Yes please, what to plant when would be awesome 👌

  • @angg2957
    @angg2957 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I am a beginner gardener and your videos are very helpful!

  • @seandepoppe6716
    @seandepoppe6716 5 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Thankfully we have you for the important questions

  • @gigismenagerie2693
    @gigismenagerie2693 5 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Thank you for your detailed reasoning about large vs small tomato's and pruning. In the future I'll change my tomato placement. It's much harder to support the large fruit with multiple vines. Last year I let a cherry go crazy and it wasn't hard to support at all. Seems like common sense now but I didn't think about it like that!

  • @stillbald5827
    @stillbald5827 5 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    I was just looking at my huge bushy tomatoes thinking "should I prune them?" Thank you!

  • @susanfitzgerald2443
    @susanfitzgerald2443 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    I absolutely love your practical advise towards plants, vegetables, fruits and so on, you are spot on every time. Being a native Floridian with our beautiful weather almost year round and a father that gave me a love for growing things. I thought I had a library's worth of knowledge when it came to gardening. Since I began to watch your channel I have realised maybe my knowledge isn't as vast as I thought it was..lol. I have learned so much, you are absolutely my go to person when I need help..I thank you for the information about that last tomato plant in this video. I'm currently growing 20 Sweet 100 tomatoes, the size of my tomatoes are very similar to the last tomato plant you spoke about, I believe you said it was a bush..mine are a vine and would grow over my second story home if I let them. I've never tasted a tomato so sweet as these.
    I'm so glad you informed us not to prune too much off the bottom, I've been taking some of the very long leaves off the plants and keeping them off the soil. Now I know to let them get grow dense so that it protects these very small delicious tomatoes.
    Thank you so much for all the help!
    🤗

  • @x3nofly993
    @x3nofly993 5 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Thanks for the video Mark. I have 8 patio tomato plants and I don't want to mess them up! Your videos are all so informative and enjoyable, I'm happy I subscribed! Keep up the good work!

  • @blanchethomas6535
    @blanchethomas6535 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    I'm a beginner in pruning tomatoes and this video really helped. Thanks

  • @TashiMortier
    @TashiMortier 5 ปีที่แล้ว +11

    I just had the most delicious little snack cucumber from my garden, just ate it right from the plant. :D And watching your video makes me even more happy. :)

    • @Selfsufficientme
      @Selfsufficientme  5 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Nothing better than right off the plant into the mouth! YUM :)

  • @jameshaslam2048
    @jameshaslam2048 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Thanks, I really enjoyed this video. I love growing Cherry tomatoes and get a good annual crop even up here in Canada. Good to know they really don’t need much pruning, but staking is absolutely required and tying is a regular job.

  • @dawns.7573
    @dawns.7573 5 ปีที่แล้ว +9

    Another fantastic episode!! Thank you for sharing your knowledge and experience with us. I know I appreciate your advice very much.

  • @fishlovme
    @fishlovme 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    You made some great points about pruning vs not pruning, and I would tend to agree with you. Two years ago I accidently cut the top off one of my larger tomato plants when trying to remove the "suckers" when the plant was in the ground for about a month. It did not produce a single tomato and barely grew at all after I cut the top by accident. Secondly, I grew a cherry tomato plant right up against my deck two years ago and I let it grow onto the deck and it spread for several feet. I had so many cherry tomatoes on that plant I didn't know what to do with them! It has now been my experience to limit the pruning due to what, as you explained with the cherry tomatoes, that the tomatoes prefer the shade in order to ripen. The fact that I can bring tomatoes in near the end of the season and have them ripen in my basement with no sunlight proves this. So I really limit my pruning now and I get plenty of fruit off them.

  • @bekt7910
    @bekt7910 5 ปีที่แล้ว +51

    You remind me so much of Russell crowe except your videos are better. keep up the great work.

    • @Selfsufficientme
      @Selfsufficientme  5 ปีที่แล้ว +7

      Thank you! Imagine if the real Crowe did a few TH-cam gardening vids - I'd say they'd be pretty epic lol... Cheers :)

  • @Jim26D
    @Jim26D 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Never been a huge tomato fan but still grow a bunch. However a got a cherry tomato plant this year that was grafted onto a fast growing bushy variety and they are amazing. I eat them as they are starting to turn orange. They taste like salt has been added and are super fruity as well. The best

    • @Selfsufficientme
      @Selfsufficientme  5 ปีที่แล้ว

      I also like the more acidic varieties due to the taste. They are especially good as an open melt grill on bread with cheese. Cheers :)

  • @beverlyromeo6199
    @beverlyromeo6199 5 ปีที่แล้ว +51

    Oh I just love listening to you I wish I was your neighbor I absolutely love your garden it's beautiful and you are so knowledgeable thank you for sharing with us

  • @charley124
    @charley124 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    So I did what you said and BAM it was great - tons of tomato's without the extra leaves'. Just want to add I did this with my burning bushes and maple trek's with the same great results and now my tree's look like an umbrella and are growing so much better so I thing sucker branches are ALSO AFFECTING MY TREE - BUSH GROWTH. They all doing great to this sucker removal understanding. Thanks.

  • @mooretimeinthekitchen7635
    @mooretimeinthekitchen7635 5 ปีที่แล้ว +11

    When that beat kicked in I thought an ad had started running in another tab 😂
    Great info, thank you!

  • @cggiedinghagen1148
    @cggiedinghagen1148 4 ปีที่แล้ว

    We have a tom plant that grows here in south Florida that will grow thru the hottest part of summer called Everglades tomato. I explain to people they are the size of marbles and it is just wonderful to go into the garden and eat.

  • @brucetidwell7715
    @brucetidwell7715 4 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    That was very helpful! I make Tomato Jam, which is really a sort of chutney, but puts ketchup absolutely to shame. I use half sauce tomatoes for body and half small cherry tomatoes to give it a chunky texture.
    Your mention that cherry tomatoes are the original variety answered a question for me. Up until less than two hundred years ago, many people didn't think tomatoes were edible and grew them as "ornamental" garden plants. I always wondered what was attractive about big over ripe tomatoes rotting in the garden but it seems likely that they growing cherry tomato plants with clusters of small fruit that would have been much prettier to look at and at least a little bit less messy. I always learn something from you vids!

    • @Eulogy1613
      @Eulogy1613 ปีที่แล้ว

      It's pretty uncommon hearing the word chutney from an American,have you visited India by any chance lol

    • @brucetidwell7715
      @brucetidwell7715 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@Eulogy1613 No. LOL! I would *love* to visit India. I'm just a n amateur gourmet cook with very eclectic tastes.

    • @Eulogy1613
      @Eulogy1613 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@brucetidwell7715 oh alr haha,you have been on yt for a pretty long time. +1 sub

    • @brucetidwell7715
      @brucetidwell7715 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@Eulogy1613 Yeah, I spend too much time on YT. Thanks for the follow! I hope I can actually start posting videos in the next year or so.

    • @Eulogy1613
      @Eulogy1613 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@brucetidwell7715 I see,good luck with your yt channel :)

  • @bobbibuttons8730
    @bobbibuttons8730 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Thank you so much from Scotland. I’m a noobie Gardner and I’m learning so much.

  • @helennelson3120
    @helennelson3120 5 ปีที่แล้ว +22

    Thanks Mark. Top stuff. I needed to see this. I have half dozen tomato plants in my backyard that I've made a few mistakes with, that are growing quite well despite my stuff ups. Yours is the help I needed. Cheers

    • @Selfsufficientme
      @Selfsufficientme  5 ปีที่แล้ว

      Great stuff Helen all the best for a top harvest then! Cheers :)

  • @sophiamorris5038
    @sophiamorris5038 4 ปีที่แล้ว

    Your garden is brilliant. I like how you laid everything out, really maximized the space.

  • @user-sq3kk3wt8p
    @user-sq3kk3wt8p 2 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    This was so helpful, Mark. Thanks for sharing your great gardening adventure with us. Absolutely love your channel! Your comments about the cherry tomato bush intrigued me and I wondered, could you share the name of the specific variety you showed us that was wonderfully cascading down?

    • @stshnie
      @stshnie 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      I think he called it a rootstock tomato.

  • @Gurokawa
    @Gurokawa 5 ปีที่แล้ว

    I live in the desert 🌵 of Phoenix Arizona. I planted some of those root stock cherry tomatoes once 3 years ago and the last two years they have been popping up all over my yard and garden in late December and early January. This year I had one come up in the middle of my desert rock landscaping and it gave fruit. No water 💦 fertilizer, or care of any kind and it gave fruit until I pulled it last week. As time passes the fruit just got smaller and smaller. I left about four of the plants to grow under my lemon 🍋 tree and they are still producing fruit. I made some delicious tomato jam with a couple pounds of them. They are such a hardy plant.

    • @Selfsufficientme
      @Selfsufficientme  5 ปีที่แล้ว

      Great story! Yes they are very hardy and a hand plant to have on the side. Cheers :)

  • @jeep4ron
    @jeep4ron 5 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Love your insight Mark. Thanks. Have a wonderful day..!!

  • @montanateri6889
    @montanateri6889 ปีที่แล้ว

    I love this video ( and all your videos!) . So many people want to give a "absolute" on pruning, only leave ONE leader, cut out ALL extra shoots, and I'm left wondering, why? Seems like 3 leaders would do better...
    You give the analysis of the how, why, and when and how all of that pertains to the type of tomato -- and when to break the rules! That's gardening! Excellent work! I"m growing Kratky hydroponically in my living room, and I need the reasons for something, then I can adjust that to my situation - so I can have cherry tomatoes all year long.
    YOU have taken gardening and put it back into my life in spite of me now being in an apartment and not having a yard. There is nothing in the world better than growing something from seed to maturitiy and plucking your own produce as you want! Thank you so much!

  • @christelchristely2816
    @christelchristely2816 5 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    The red currant tomatoes are the ones my cickens like the best. I have two of these just for them.

    • @Selfsufficientme
      @Selfsufficientme  5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Oh, I bet your hens love them! Cheers :)

    • @wendysgarden4283
      @wendysgarden4283 5 ปีที่แล้ว

      my red currant tomato is the most disease-prone plant I've ever grown. Never had early blight before it. But the production is impressive.

  • @prettypothos4me290
    @prettypothos4me290 5 ปีที่แล้ว

    This year I didn’t plant cherry tomatoes and I will miss them. Last year I had an awful whitefly infestation and they loved the cherry ones, I couldn’t control it and had to toss the plants mid season. I decided to go a year without. Love your videos.

  • @craig1166
    @craig1166 4 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    I have a few indeterminate money maker tomatoes, I'd like to see "how" you do some pruning of your ones mark, make for another awesome video of yours I get to watch!! Keep up the great work mate, loving your channel!!!!

  • @bradf.9365
    @bradf.9365 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    The pruning music is so dramatic I love it 4:45

  • @tando6266
    @tando6266 5 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    I don't always prune my tomatoes, but when I do, I have a dubstep kick it off. Another great vid!

  • @thedarkside7508
    @thedarkside7508 ปีที่แล้ว

    As a literature loving gardener, the intro was perfection to me ❤️

  • @chanchoi5076
    @chanchoi5076 5 ปีที่แล้ว +8

    Let's get into it!

  • @ronaldcassar3143
    @ronaldcassar3143 4 ปีที่แล้ว

    Just what I was looking for. My cherry tomato plants are going crazy. Wasn't sure whether to prune or not. You've answered my question in this video. Great work. My daughter in law told me about your site and very glad she did. Subscribed.

  • @robine916
    @robine916 5 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Watching from Massachusetts, USA. I LOVE your tomato set-up! Easy harvesting/No stooping,...new sub!

    • @Selfsufficientme
      @Selfsufficientme  5 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      I'm a keen stand-up gardener, thank you :)

    • @communitygardener17
      @communitygardener17 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Do you plant tomatoes in the same beds every year? What about soil diseases?

  • @familyfungi
    @familyfungi 4 ปีที่แล้ว

    Been watching for about 2 years now and every video I watch you get a "like" immediately. Thank you for sharing your experience and wisdom!

  • @DeleteTheElite_
    @DeleteTheElite_ 5 ปีที่แล้ว +9

    A couple of my friends and myself are so addicted to your channel :)

    • @Selfsufficientme
      @Selfsufficientme  5 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      Thanks! I appreciate your support and enthusiasm - it encourages and inspires me to create more vids. Cheers :)

  • @larryharvey7709
    @larryharvey7709 ปีที่แล้ว

    I always plant a row of cherry indeterminate because they’re old faithful when the big ones fail. And they’re ready to eat weeks sooner. Trying my beets among them this year too. Thank you.

  • @sowingyourheart801
    @sowingyourheart801 5 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    Love your videos!!! I feel this covers it all in pruning!! Awesome jobs! 👍

  • @katiekane5247
    @katiekane5247 5 ปีที่แล้ว

    We had a tree fall on my tomato plants in big pots & I've had to do damage control. This couldn't come at a better time, thanks!

  • @meysaechao4902
    @meysaechao4902 5 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    thank you for your TH-cam page, now i have a garden that i can eat from.

    • @Selfsufficientme
      @Selfsufficientme  5 ปีที่แล้ว

      Excellent stuff! Good on you and thank you :)

  • @ChrisTesch87
    @ChrisTesch87 4 ปีที่แล้ว

    I use hazelnut shells as a barrier between my soil and the lower limbs in my raised tomato beds. In the few years I’ve been heavily growing tomatoes it has done a great job minimizing disease, fungus and pests. The issue here is they aren’t available in everyone’s area. Great video though and I learned some good stuff here. Definitely worth a sub 👍

  • @1madmaxx80
    @1madmaxx80 5 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Growing Roma tomatoes (determinate) in containers I have learned that pruning is necessary to ensure bountiful harvest.
    Even though the height is determinate the plant continues to send out shoots, and if you don't manage (prune) the shoots to keep them in check your yield will suffer greatly. You'll have more individual fruits, but much smaller in size - like cherry tomatoes. Each shoot on a Roma is good for 5 - 8 fruits from my experience.

  • @tashar3210
    @tashar3210 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    I found with tomatoes:
    1) Burying a bit more of the stem creates more roots
    2) crucial to stake early and continue to stake to avoid wind or the weight of the crop breaking
    3) trimming base leaves (around the steam as it grows and watering around the stem decreases fungal growth)
    4) seaweed or fish emulsion ferns are great
    5) burying crushed eggshells during planting helps with blossom end rot and fish head/frames or guts (buried bit deeper) help with fert later

  • @commonsmatter
    @commonsmatter 5 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    How cool would it be to work for this guy 👍👍💪💪✊✊😁😁

  • @nightstringers
    @nightstringers 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    I love this guys channel . I'm never letting my tomatoes to grow wild like I have in the past.

  • @JBC100
    @JBC100 4 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    When we don't know exactly whether it is Determinant or indeterminant what the best we can do??

    • @diane9060
      @diane9060 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      That's my question too

    • @SokemRokemRobot
      @SokemRokemRobot 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      If the plant gets over 5 feet tall, then it's probably indeterminate, and you need to prune, if you haven't. With determinate plants, just prune the lower branches off, and you're practically done. If you're growing Romas, then those are determinate. Their growing season will be shorter than indeterminate, so you don't want to prune much at all, except for the branches near the ground.

  • @Fehmida40
    @Fehmida40 4 ปีที่แล้ว

    My husband loves to snipe out tomato leaves whenever he is in garden, I have forwarded this video to him😂 your videos always full of tips, thank you for sharing

  • @shashakeeleh5468
    @shashakeeleh5468 5 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Lots of us having bad time with tomatoes this year because of disease. (Southeast TX, USA)

    • @jenniferm3572
      @jenniferm3572 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      shashakeeleh Here in Spring 👋 👍🏻

    • @Selfsufficientme
      @Selfsufficientme  5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      There are better seasons than others and sometimes we can't help the weather or the perfect "storm" allowing for more pests or disease than usual. Don't be disheartened because next year will likely be a bumper harvest :)

    • @shashakeeleh5468
      @shashakeeleh5468 5 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@Selfsufficientme Thanks Mark!

    • @shashakeeleh5468
      @shashakeeleh5468 5 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@jenniferm3572 Hello Neighbor!

  • @donb.1426
    @donb.1426 5 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    You have the best and most informative videos! I can’t thank you enough for all the wonderful information you provide, it has helped me out on numerous occasions. Please keep the videos coming, they are truly appreciated!

  • @bon47ful
    @bon47ful 5 ปีที่แล้ว +8

    Thank you. Really informative. What did you call that last variety of tomato - the big, sprawling tomato? Rootstock?

    • @donnasteward7670
      @donnasteward7670 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      I was wondering where I can get the seed for this big, sprawling tomatoes?

    • @nomiss1015
      @nomiss1015 5 ปีที่แล้ว +9

      They usually go under the name of "red currant tomatoes" or wild tomatoes.. But red or yellow currant is the most common name of this variety.

    • @bon47ful
      @bon47ful 5 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Nomis S Thanks! 🍅

    • @donnasteward7670
      @donnasteward7670 5 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      @@nomiss1015 Thanks for the info

    • @bon47ful
      @bon47ful 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Nomis S I have one growing now...extremely sprawly but not much fruit. It’s called Celebrity. My hunch is the soil needs nourishment. Thanks again.

  • @dystopiagear6999
    @dystopiagear6999 5 ปีที่แล้ว

    For years I followed all the conventional wisdom about pruning suckers and trimming up the leaves near the ground and trellising & all that, and had very satisfactory results. Then this year I had a couple volunteers (one heirloom Yellow Pear cherry type, one full-size German Queen heirloom, both indeterminate)) come up near my compost pile and for an experiment I just let them go wild and spread out right on the ground... They both did every bit as well as the ones I put a ton of work into, with no effort at all, just watering them when it got really dry. They had no pest problems, diseases, fungus, mildew or anything like that. Plus they suppressed almost all the weeds in their area simply by covering the ground. So if the soil is good and you have insects under control with companion plants, I'm more or less convinced that pruning or not just depends mainly on how much space you want each plant to take up. YMMV.

  • @Growyourheirlooms
    @Growyourheirlooms 5 ปีที่แล้ว +56

    Not just the indeterminate, I noticed you pruned the beard and hair too. 😛

  • @elisabethteau6591
    @elisabethteau6591 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Thank you for passing on your knowledge. So useful for the inexperienced.

  • @lucyjane103
    @lucyjane103 5 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    big discussion with my daughter....her husband....and me... cant wait to see this...….

  • @bruellwitz
    @bruellwitz 5 ปีที่แล้ว

    I had these small tomatoes in a pot last year and one seed made it into my garden and grew on its own. It is now one of my biggest tomatoe plants and always good for a little snack :-)

  • @geoffphillips5872
    @geoffphillips5872 5 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Very informative. Thank you. Should you use tomato dust ?

    • @Selfsufficientme
      @Selfsufficientme  5 ปีที่แล้ว +6

      Thank you! I don't use the dusts but there may be organic types that work ok and are pretty safe. I do use an eco-organic fungicide (bicarbonate based) to help prevent disease. Cheers :)

  • @steviebee1989
    @steviebee1989 5 ปีที่แล้ว

    I noticed those long runs of corrugated iron are bulging, mine beds are 3.2m long and half way along I hammer a steel star picket next to the walls (on the inside) then using metal thread screws screw the walls to the star picket. Lastly grab some scrap fencing wire and tie the two pickets across the bed to each other. Voila, no more bulging walls. Obviously to me done during construction of the beds. Excellent episode on determinate and indeterminate tomatoes and their needs.

  • @EmmaAppleBerry
    @EmmaAppleBerry 5 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    Whats the ancient/original rootstock wild tomato called i didnt catch it? Where did you get it from?

    • @calendarking55
      @calendarking55 5 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      I too would love to find out the name of the rootstock variety. Never seen it before.

    • @morsaylegay
      @morsaylegay 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      I was wondering the same, couldn't find anything. Help us out Mark !

    • @tuneinat
      @tuneinat 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      EmmaAppleBerry we have a similar tomato plant in florida thats called an..everglades..tomato..is almost weed like in it's veracity! I would only pot grow it as it will easily take over a garden bed! Pretty sure the seed can b found on ebay & it's best virtue is that it will produce in the summer months

  • @canadianloon6433
    @canadianloon6433 4 ปีที่แล้ว

    Thank you.
    I pruned the hell of all my tomatoes last year and I barely got a good crop.
    This year I'll take your advise.