How We Prune and Stake Our Tomatoes For Maximum Production and Health

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[mudpiemudpie]

Great video, Luke. For my stakes, I go into the woods near my house in early spring--before the leaves come in--and take the straightest saplings I can find. Most of them are over 7 feet tall. It's free and organic. Happy Gardening. 😃

[veritawallace]

I’ve used pantyhose for years! Never buy them brand new, get them at a thrift shop, then wash them (enclosed within a pillow case, pinned shut). It isn’t necessary to cut them in strips. Cut off the toe area, then, folding them lengthwise cut in about 1” wide pieces. This makes the hose into a natural circle which you can slip onto your arm, where they’re ready to use. Interlocking each circle is simple, this makes great lengths, which you can control how long you wish to make the chain of pantyhose circles. Some folks may be too germaphobic and not like using second hand hose…no biggie! Just call me “Secondhand Rose”, lol!

[northsidedork_]

It's always nice to see the pupper in the videos!

[kimberlybrooks]

Just appreciate your heart, vision, passion for helping others become better & learn. My grandmother had me in the garden with her as a toddler & I am now 50. I have essentially been gardening my whole life. I still have learned from and just plain ole enjoy your videos. Thank you for all you do.

[lamgardn]

I like to cut strips from old t-shirts. Easy to do when I'm relaxing with a TV show. If I use 100% cotton, I know it will break down in the compost or soil.

[extrasocks]

Ok, but can we talk about the Australian Shepherd!???!?

[carolmalignaggi]

I love the cute doggie. I take old t-shirts and make yarn. Recycle and reuse!

[brendamontanye]

I cut up some worn leggings recently into approximately 1.5" strips and used them for tying up sunflowers at our church preschool. Like t-shirt fabric, if you stretch them they roll into a tidy but flexible "string". I tied them in such a way that I can remove them without cutting. I anticipate using them for my tomatoes also if they get away from me (I usually weave them through cattle panels.).

[kathyy]

I was a bit shocked by how many horn worms were on my plants one night until i realized my elastic glowed like the tomato worms!

[samanthahoos]

😂 I just pruned and staked all my tomato plants yesterday for 3 hours before the rain today. My cousin has bamboo unwanted growing in her yard so I cut stalks for stakes and use old hay bale twine for support.

[albakossen]

Great explanation. I recommend your videos to all my gardening friends.

[shelleyherron]

When I plant my tomatoes, I strip most of the leaves and lay the plant on its side with the remaining leaves above the soil. I immediately place the stake on the other side of the plant from the roots. That way I can put the stake closer without hurting the roots. But I learned from this video that I need to treat the determinates and indeterminates differently. Thanks!

[janansberry]

I bought this elastic string from you and really appreciate your demo of how to use it… It is very timely and useful! God bless you for blessing others with your knowledge. I am a new subscriber from California.

[cliftonleisure]

Love your videos Luke. I like to grow my indeterminates with two leaders twisted up a tall wooden pole. It works great, still have plenty of air flow, loads of sets, rarely have to tie up and the two leaders help to slow the climb and provide shade for the tomatoes as they ripe.

[cindimeyers]

I use old nylons to tie my tomatoes up. Works amazing and free for me.

[spinderella]

Thank you. I was just staking my indeterminates when I figured I had no clue what I was doing. You answered my questions. Thank you.

[floydbertagnolli]

Please show how you prune & stake the plant as it gets taller.

[cherihabegger]

We are trying cattle panels for our tomatoes this year for the first time. I am getting ready to tie mine up, so I appreciate this video.

[kathyhiggins]

Thanks Luke. I’m gardening again after a thirty year hiatus. Didn’t know what I was doing then, trying to do better this time around. I’ve just bought my starts, and this video has seen very helpful. 🤞🏽for a successful harvest this fall!

[homebodyjen]

Thank you for this. I wasn’t sure how to treat my semi-determinate tomato variety as most other videos only mention two different varieties. Now I know! I can’t wait to put my seedlings in the ground!