Stop Removing Tomato Suckers – Your Plants Will Thank You!

I know what you’re thinking – “But I’ve always been told to pinch off those suckers!” Trust me, I felt the same way when I first heard this advice. For years, I religiously removed every single sucker from my tomato plants, thinking I was doing them a favor. Then I tried an experiment that completely changed my approach to growing tomatoes.

What if I told you that those little shoots you’ve been pinching off could actually increase your harvest by 30%? Get ready to rethink everything you know about tomato care!

What Are Tomato Suckers Anyway?

Tomato suckers are those small shoots that pop up between your main stem and leaf branches. They look innocent enough, but they’re actually potential powerhouses! These little guys can grow into full branches complete with leaves, flowers, and yes – more tomatoes.

You’ll find them most often on indeterminate varieties (the ones that keep growing all season long). They start tiny but can grow several inches if you let them do their thing.

Why We’ve Been Removing Them (And Why That’s Wrong!)

For decades, gardeners have been taught to remove suckers because they supposedly “steal energy” from the main plant. The old-school thinking was that fewer branches meant bigger tomatoes and better air circulation.

Here’s the problem with that logic – it’s based on outdated information! Modern gardening research shows that suckers aren’t thieves at all. They’re actually contributing members of your tomato plant family.

The Amazing Benefits of Keeping Your Suckers

More Fruit = Bigger Harvests

Each sucker can become a fruit-producing branch. That’s like getting bonus tomato plants for free! One gardener in California saw a 30% increase in yield just by letting her suckers grow. Imagine getting an extra third of your harvest without planting a single additional seed!

Natural Sun Protection

Those extra leaves act like tiny umbrellas, protecting your tomatoes from sunscald during brutal summer heat. I learned this the hard way when my over-pruned plants got sunburned during a heat wave, while my “messy” unpruned plants stayed perfectly protected.

Better Drought Resistance

More foliage means better moisture retention in the soil. Gardeners in the Midwest have found their sucker-heavy plants handle dry spells much better than their pruned counterparts.

Stronger, More Resilient Plants

A bushier plant with more branches can better withstand wind and weather. It’s like the difference between a skinny sapling and a sturdy oak tree!

The Truth About Common Sucker Myths

Myth 1: “Suckers steal nutrients from the main plant” Reality: Suckers ARE part of the main plant! They contribute to photosynthesis and actually help the plant make more energy.

Myth 2: “You need to remove suckers to prevent disease” Reality: Cutting creates open wounds that can actually invite disease. Healthy, unpruned plants often have fewer problems.

Myth 3: “Pruned plants produce bigger tomatoes” Reality: While individual fruits might be slightly smaller, you’ll get many more of them. Most gardeners prefer quantity over giant tomatoes anyway!

Smart Sucker Management (Not Removal!)

You don’t have to go completely wild – smart management is key:

Selective Keeping

• Keep suckers that have room to grow
• Remove only those that are seriously overcrowding
• Focus on suckers in the lower third of the plant for best results

Support Your Suckers

• Add extra stakes or cages to support the additional branches
• Use soft ties to guide growth in the right direction
• Consider tomato towers or sturdy trellises for heavy producers

Monitor and Adjust

• Check your plants weekly during growing season
• Look for good air circulation throughout the plant
• Adjust support as needed when branches get heavy with fruit

Game-Changing Techniques to Try

The Layering Method

Bend a strong sucker down to the ground and cover part of it with soil. It’ll develop its own root system and become a whole new plant! It’s like plant magic.

Strategic Staking

Instead of removing suckers, stake them up as additional main stems. Your single plant becomes a multi-stemmed powerhouse.

What Gardening Experts Really Say

Dr. Linda Chalker-Scott, a respected horticulturist, advocates for letting suckers grow naturally. Many experienced gardeners now recommend experimenting to find what works in your specific climate and conditions.

The key is moving away from the “one-size-fits-all” approach to something more tailored to your garden’s unique needs.

My Personal Success Story

Last season, I decided to try both approaches in my garden. Half my tomato plants got the traditional sucker-removal treatment, while the other half grew au naturel. The results were eye-opening!

The unpruned plants produced significantly more fruit, handled the summer heat better, and required less frequent watering. Sure, they looked a bit wilder, but the harvest was incredible. I’m never going back to obsessive sucker removal!

Ready to Let Your Tomatoes Go Wild?

This growing season, why not try leaving some suckers on at least a few plants? Start with your strongest, healthiest plants and see what happens. You might be amazed at the difference!

Remember, gardening is all about experimenting and finding what works for you. Don’t be afraid to challenge conventional wisdom – your tomato plants (and your harvest) might surprise you!

Have you tried letting your tomato suckers grow? I’d love to hear about your experiences in the comments below! Let’s start a conversation about rethinking old gardening “rules.”