Pruning Indeterminate Tomatoes: Pinching for Manageable Height and Better Fruit Protection

Q: Can you cut off the top of tomato plants when too tall? I had Better Boys at 12 feet!

Good practice to prune tomato vines before they get too tall. Two types: determinate tomatoes grow to a predetermined size and produce all at once; indeterminate like 'Better Boy' grow continuously and become unmanageably tall. Label usually indicates growth habit.

Start pruning at 12-24 inches tall. Use thumbnail to pinch the growing tip of the main vine. This single pinch usually results in a 6-foot plant with multiple stems. I also pinch tips of suckers (leafy stems between main stem and branches) to keep plant bushy while protecting fruit from sun.