Question 1

My tomato plant is flopping over—what’s the best support method?

Accepted Answer

The plant is too heavy and collapsing, risking broken stems or fruit on the ground. For indeterminate tomatoes, install a strong vertical support like a sturdy stake, string trellis, or A-frame trellis early in the season. For bush (determinate) types, use tomato cages or the Florida weave if planted in rows. Always tie plants loosely with soft garden ties or cloth strips as they grow. Tip: Add support at planting time to avoid disturbing roots later.

Question 2

Should I remove the suckers from my tomato plants?

Accepted Answer

Suckers (those little shoots between the main stem and a leaf) are growing quickly and taking over, but it’s unclear whether to cut them. For indeterminate tomatoes, yes—you may want to prune suckers regularly to encourage airflow, reduce disease risk, and promote larger fruit. For determinate tomatoes, leave suckers alone—they contribute to the total yield since the plant stops growing after a certain height. Remove suckers when they’re small (2–4 inches) using fingers or clean pruning shears.

Question 3

I pruned my tomatoes and now the fruit has sunscald. What did I do wrong?

Accepted Answer

Tomatoes are developing pale, leathery spots from too much direct sunlight after pruning. Avoid over-pruning, especially all at once and always leave enough foliage to shade the fruit and support photosynthesis. If over-pruned, use shade cloth or companion plants like basil or marigolds to help shield the fruit. Aim to remove only a few leaves or suckers at a time—prune gradually over days or weeks

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