This Is News to Me! Why You Should Think Twice Before Removing Tomato Suckers

4. Ideal for Determinate Varieties

Determinate tomato plants grow to a fixed size and produce fruit all at once. For these types, sucker removal is less critical and sometimes discouraged, as the plant’s natural growth pattern is different.

How to Decide Whether to Remove Tomato Suckers

Ultimately, whether to prune suckers depends on your specific garden goals, the variety of tomato, and growing conditions. Here’s a quick guide:

• If you want large, early tomatoes: Remove suckers on indeterminate varieties to concentrate energy.
• If you want a bigger overall harvest: Consider keeping some suckers, especially on vigorous plants.
• If you have limited space: Prune suckers to keep plants compact.
• If you’re growing determinate tomatoes: Generally, leave suckers alone.

A Balanced Approach

You don’t have to commit fully to either removing or keeping all suckers. Try a balanced method: prune some suckers while leaving others to develop. This approach can give you the best of both worlds — manageable plants with plenty of fruit.

Final Thoughts

The tradition of removing tomato suckers isn’t wrong, but it’s not gospel, either. With more gardeners experimenting and sharing their results, it’s clear that tomato cultivation is flexible and adaptable. So next time you’re out in your garden, take a moment before pinching off those suckers. They just might surprise you with the harvest they produce.

Would you like me to add a recipe using tomatoes grown with or without suckers? Or any other gardening tips?