Pinching out the side shoots is a necessary job when growing tomatoes, it is also a repetitive job as they grow back very quick. They are pinched out to ensure that there is only one main stem to the plant for the tomato trusses to grow on, and that all the goodness goes to the fruit and not wasted on the greenery. Patio tomatoes are a different thing altogether they tend to be a bush type of plant and need less messing with.
Oh my. We totally didn't do this and our tomatoes are out of control.
ReplyDeleteI will have to remember this for next year. :)