Guides

Succulent plants are ideal for growing indoors or in areas with warmer climates because they store enough water to last them in periods with little or no water. Therefore, they are easy to grow and care for because they do not need watering or regular maintenance like other indoor plants.

How to grow a Succulent

If you have succulents in your home, you can propagate them yourself using a leaf cutting or an offshoot. It is an easy process, but you have to follow the right steps as discussed below.

Propagating succulents with leaf cuttings indoors. Here are the steps you should follow when propagating succulents from a leaf cutting:

1. You should remove the leaf-cutting below the central flowering plant to increase its chances of propagation. The cut leaf should have all the parts of the leaf and should be cut clean.
2. Put the leaf in a dry area for a few days for it to dry.
3. Wait until the leaf becomes calloused. A calloused leaf appears splotchy, brittle or discolored. You should wait until the leaf is calloused to plant it.
4. Look for a drainable pot and put well-drained soil. Looking for rich well-drained soil is recommended because it offers the nutrients needed for the leaf to start growing.
5. Set the cut leaf on top of the soil.
6. Leave the leaf on top of the soil for some weeks. You should keep an eye on the leaf from time to time.
7. The leaf should be watered severally, about once a week. Be very cautious to avoid over watering because it can cause rotting.
8. When the roots appear after some weeks, remove the parent leaf carefully to avoid damaging the new roots. Although the leaf will wither, there is a part of the leaf that will remain and propagate some roots.
9. Plant the propagated leaf, water it and take care of the new succulent.

How to care for indoor succulents

You need the following if you are planning to plant succulents indoors:

1. A pot that drains

Succulents thrive well in well-drained soils because a lot of water can cause rotting, diseases or even death. Therefore, when planning succulents indoors, use a pot that has slots for drainage to prevent waterlogging or overwatering.

2. Succulent soil or the soil that drains

Besides using a pot that drains, the soil should drain water well for the plants to thrive. Hence, look for the correct type of soil that retains the right amount of water.

3. Sunlight

Succulent plants originate from hot and dry climates and hence thrive well in an area with plenty of sunlight. Different plants require a wide range of sun depending on its species. Therefore, ensure that your succulents have access to plenty of it(at least half a day) to make their food and grow well.

4. Water regularly

Soaking your plants with water every day will kill your plants or cause rotting that will eventually lead to death. Before watering, you can check the soil to determine the amount of moisture to help you decide whether to water or not.

5. Maintain a warm temperature

These plants require high temperatures like 70 to 80˚c in summer and 50 to 60˚c during winter months since they are succulent.

Succulents you can add to your home.

Jade plant

Jade plant is a native to South Africa; it has green leaves that are glossy and thick stems. The plant should be planted in a place with bright light and should not be overwatered to avoid killing it.

Aloe Vera

The plant grows well when it gets plenty of sunlight for an extended period. It has numerous medicinal uses and should only water them when the leaves feel brittle or dry.

Zebra plant

The name of this succulent plant is derived from its leaves because they have stripes. The plant requires a moderate amount of sunlight and water to grow optimally.

Echeveria

Echeveria has a variety of colors and does well in dry conditions. For the plant to grow optimally, it should be done in well-drained soils and have access to full sun.

Panda plant

Panda is a native of Madagascar, and it does well in dry conditions with enough water to keep the leaves from shriveling.

Crown of thorns

The plant can produce red or yellow bracts near its tiny flowers making it an ideal indoor plant. Crown of thorns requires low to moderate watering and plenty of sunlight for optimal growth.

If you’re getting into growing your vegetables, onions are a great way to start. They’re stubborn, hardy, and produce huge yields, making them an excellent practice vegetable for a beginner.

Onions are a good source of vitamins A and C, as well as iron, calcium, and fiber. They’re also fast. Green onions can be mature in 20 or 30 days, while bulb onions take about 100-175 days to be harvestable.

What Are Green Onions?

Most of the time, green onions are simply onions which don’t mature into bulb onions. They grow fast if they have the right nutrients, and water. They’re great as a garnish or used to boost the flavor in soups, stews, and salads.

Follow these guide on how to grow green onions for your family, and friends.

Step 1: Starting From Transplants

You can grow onions from seeds, but it takes much longer than growing from a set or a transplant. Sets are a good idea in theory, but they mean you have less control over the quality of the plant since a portion of it came from a previous crop.

Transplants are onions which have already begun to grow. They’re more mature when you put them in your garden, so they resist disease, insects, and other problems. They also take only around two months to mature.

Step 2: Long or Short Day

Green onions may be either long or short day varieties. Short-day onions will need about ten hours of daylight, while long day onions need about 15 hours of daylight. They will grow tops in cold weather, and bulbs in warmth, so short day onions grow best in southern environments, while long-day onions grow best in northern climates.

Step 3: Onions need space

Onions are shallow-rooted plants, and they need space around each other to grow. Choose a loosened plot of your garden, with lots of compost, so that your onions can get their required nutrients.

Fish emulsion is a good source of needed nutrients. Manure is another. Turn the soil at least eight inches deep, to keep it nice and loose. Choose onions about 1/2 inch in diameter. They should be one or two inches apart since they will grow fast and produce large yields.

Step 4: Feed Often

Onions need a lot of water. You’ll want them to be consistently moist, especially during the bulb growing stages. Putting down mulch will help with both weeding and keeping moisture in the ground.

Because green onions have only thin stalks, you need to water them more often. Put down lots of compost, and keep the soil well turned so the bulb can soak up the possible nutrients.

Because of the exposure to the sun, weeds will multiply in an onion bed, and you will want to weed more often than other garden beds.

Step 5: Harvesting Season

As I’ve already mentioned, most green onions take about two months to mature. You’ll want to get the onion before it has entirely changed into a bulb. Onions are generally grown to a stage before the bulb develops which is the difference between bulb onions and stalk onions. You’ll want to harvest when the stalks grow to about 5 inches long.

To use your yield as bulbs to grow next year, stop watering it. When the stalk begins to turn yellow, pull the onion bulb from the ground. Store it in a cool, dark place for next year’s planting.

Step 6: How To Store Onions

Onions should be kept in a cool, dry place, to prevent rotting. Hang them in bags, or braids. They can be stored with potatoes and other root vegetables, provided there is no moisture.

Step 7: Growing Onions Inside

One of the nice things about onions is that they’re so easy to grow, you can grow them indoors, in a window box. It’s a great way to start on your transplants from seeds, instead of buying them, and it means you can have organically grown onions all year round. Most green onions are onions whose bulbs have not matured yet.

So they’re very easy to keep inside. Follow these instructions.

• Fill a pot half full with moist soil.
• Arrange the onion plants two inches apart, root side down.
• Keep the onion exposed to sunlight by placing it in a window. Keep the soil moist.
• Cut and transplant the green stalks as they grow, and you’ll have a full crop ready for planting when the weather gets nice!

Disease and Dangers

Onions are a hardy plant. It’s what makes them so popular for growing at home. They do tend to promote weed germination because their thin stalks leave them exposed to sunlight.

They’ll stay healthy in your window box, but they are susceptible to maggots and thrips. They’re also vulnerable to soil-borne diseases which is another reason to keep the soil in your garden well tilled, and to make use of crop rotation, to protect your plants.

Onions are some of the easiest plants to grow, even for a novice gardener. If you’re looking for a way to start growing your food, onions are a great option.

You can plant it inside or out, there are a variety of types to suit everyone’s taste, and they’re high yield. You can grow them for yourself, or give gifts to friends. They’re a great addition to any home and any garden.

Would you like to make your succulent potting mix? It is the best soil for succulents, and it’s quite easy to make it. Below is a recipe of how to make a perfect succulent potting mix.

So what are the best soils for succulents?

Making the right choice of potting soil for planting succulents is crucial. Based on my experience, most deaths of succulent plants are often caused by overwatering. A potting mix of porous soil that drains well is the best potting soil for succulent plants.

Succulents and cacti can adapt well with getting little water, as they are native plants to dry places with very minimal rainfall. They are, therefore used to receiving little bits of water. Their roots absorb water quite fast and efficiently, while their leaves and stems can store the water for weeks or even months.

You have to make soils used for succulents different from garden soil to prevent them from rotting. The soils must also have the physical ability to support these plants, retain a little moisture, nutrients, as well as perfectly drained excess water.

The ingredients used for succulents in hardy landscape gardens will vary. As an expert, you can mix succulent potting mix of different types due to the following:

• Suit plants of different types (for example, Cold-tolerant Alpine, True Desert, or Tree-dwelling Epiphyte).
• Tolerate certain weather conditions.
• Container Size.
• Their possible desire for water.

To get started and come up with your potting mix, follow the following basic procedures:

What are the ingredients needed?

To get the best succulent potting mix, you can either start with a basic soil mix of cactus and succulent, or an African violet mix that is mostly available at most garden centers. Include some additional ingredients to:

• Make watering easier.
• Improve drainage.
• Retain water for a long time without compacting.

An essential ingredient of any succulent potting mix is the organic matter known as Peat Moss, which dries out quickly and is hard to wet. There will be a faster penetration of water when you add ground bark that has been finely ground.

You can also subsitute Peat Moss with Coir for homemade mixes. Coir consists of coconut husks with shredded fibrous. It decomposes very slowly, and when dried out, it is easy to wet. Compost is another option that you can use although it decomposes quickly.

Another significant ingredient that allows water to soak and drain quickly from the soil are inorganic substances which include:

• Crushed granite.
• Perlite.
• Pumice.
• Chicken grit.
• Calcined clay
• Non-soluble cat litter.

All these improve aeration, as well as keep the mix airy and crumbly. Drainage will increase, and as the organic material decomposes, these inorganic materials will not break down.

How to Make the Mix

Begin mixing equal amounts of organic potting soil and fluffy inorganic material. Use little amounts of drainage ingredients for the smaller succulents such as Crassula, Aloe, Sedum, Sansevieria. You can add more massive amounts of the same to Yuccas, Agaves, and True cacti such as Opuntia.

When the mix of your ingredients is ready, pick a handful, wet it thoroughly and squeeze it in your hands. If it happens to compact and stick together, it will not provide good drainage for your plants. Continuously add the inorganic drainage material as you test, until the wet mix crumbles.

Succulents shouldn’t be overwatered at all, as they will quickly die. The succulent soil is, therefore, essential because even if the succulents become overwater by accident, there will always be enough sand to absorb.

In summary, the following ingredients are essential:

1. Potting Soil.

You can use an indoor potting soil that is all-purpose. Avoid solid potting soils with mixes that retain water such as vermiculite.

2. Course Sand (poultry grit and surface can also be used)

Succulents grow perfectly in sandy potting soils that are porous. You can buy sandbox sand at any hardware store around you.

3. Perlite or Pumice.

The soil amendment components are lightweight, and usually, retain a little amount of moisture.

The Exact Measurement of Ingredients Needed.

• 3 Potting soil parts.
• 2 Coarse sand parts.
• 1 Pertile or Pumice part.

Follow these Directions.

• Add all your ingredients in a large bucket and mix well using a trowel or hands.
• Now plant your succulent plants in own made succulent soil.
• You can store any left-over succulent soil in a cool and dark environment.

You can now get started and enjoy your planting exercise!

As a gardener, you certainly wish to grow and keep your plants and flowers in a healthy ideal state. Clematis is a definite beauty from the buttercup family and amazingly, planting and maintaining it is quite simple. The basic requirements for it to thrive are ensuring their roots are cool, finding the ideal location, proper fertilizer choice and application and weeding.

First and foremost, clematis growing depends on planting process and refinement of the soil. You must ensure your soil is well prepared and has enough nourishment. Otherwise, your clematis will fail, regardless of the quality of the plant. Apart from proper nourishment, the soil should also have good drainage to avoid too much water retention.

The basic idea is to improve your soil, whether it is acidic or alkaline, clayey or silty. Fortunately, clematis does well in any pH.

Below is what I would recommend if you plan to plant clematis.

By a fence or wall

Make sure you dig the hole about 30 cm from the base of the structure to avoid cramping of roots and inadequacy of water.

By a tree

Dig the hole about 2 ft from the tree base, with the stalk leaning towards the tree.

How To Grow Clematis into a shrub

Plant the clematis outside the range of the shrub branches so that it will receive enough sunlight and water and to avoid congestion of roots.

Planting Procedure

1. Water or soak the clematis before you dig the hole to make it easier to handle. The size of the hole you dig should be deeper than the size of the pot to ensure proper space for root spread.

2. Cultivate the soil at the base of the hole and place properly decomposed manure or commercial compost. For the latter, John Innes number 3 is my favorite choice since it has good loam quality and is well nourished.

The manure should be maturely rotten; that is, it should not be steamy. After applying the portion at the base, fork it in well and cover about 2 inches of soil.

3. Apply a handful of Bone meal and mix with the soil. It is an excellent organic fertilizer and a source of protein and phosphorous.

4. Extract your plant from the water (if you had soaked) and cut the ties 6 inches from the base of the plant.

5. Detach the pot from the plant. In case there are any balled up roots, gently straighten them to enhance the rooting.

6. Put the Clematis plant in the hole carefully. Ensure the root ball is at least 8 cm deeper than it was in the pot. Cover the rest of the hole and press down the soil using your hands.

7. Place Plant Food around the plant. I like to work with Westland Gro-sure Slow Release Plant Food. The plant food will slowly release food to keep your Clematis growing at a stable rate.

8. The last step is watering. Supply a generous amount of water to on the soil around the plant. Adequate water is essential for the survival of your clematis.

Growing Clematis in Containers

If you do not have a garden, or you wish to plant clematis as house decoration, the solution is planting in containers. Fortunately, clematis does well in containers and maintenance is easy.

Procedure

1. Select a large container about 45 cm deep and good drainage openings. Ceramic clay is better than plastic. Place gravel at the base of the container to promote good drainage. Also, ensure that the container is located such that the holes are open at all times.

2. Plant the clematis with the roots at least 3 inches deeper than it was in the plastic. Ensure the root ball is at the center of the container.

3. Water regularly but do not overdo it to minimize retention. Always make sure the drainage holes are open.

4. After every one year, take away the top 2 inches of compost and replace it with new compost mixed with bone meal.

Optionally, you may add Osmocote tablets after a month to supply food and protect the roots from burning. You may use liquid tomato feed from the 3rd to the 7th month.

5. Pruning of the roots is required every 4 or 5 years.

6. If there is some space left on the container, you can plant a ground cover.

How do you plant Clematis on a Wall?

Since clematis is climbers, they need support. A trellis or meshed fence would be perfect. You may even plant a shrub to protect the roots of the clematis from drying up.

Best Time to Plant Clematis

Clematis is a flexible plant with little sensitivity. You can plant as long as the environment is favorable. During summer and spring, root development is advanced, and there is an increase in storage of food for the plant.

It will provide nourishment for flowering in the Spring. Root growth is usually conspicuous when the plant I about 2 feet tall. If the weather is moderate, it is a good idea to plant in the fall.

Pruning will be necessary for the next spring. During summer, it is imperative to keep watering the clematis on a regular basis, to prevent wilting.

Pruning Tips

1. Pruning is an essential part of the growth of Clematis. It protects the plant from pests, damage and the spread of infection.

2. The first pruning should be done on the first spring on the year of planting. All dead and loose branches should be cut off. This helps to control the size and growth.

3. Remove old stems to promote flowering in spring. Old stems can also be regenerate old stems by really cutting back, about 18 inches. You can perform the surgery after the primary flush.

Group 1

They require little and sometimes no pruning. Pruning is only necessary to control size after flowering.

Group 2

They grow on old and new wood. Pruning should be done twice; at the onset of spring and after flowering.

Handling Clematis in the Seasons

1. Spring – At the beginning of spring, apply fertilizer (5-10-10). Any transplanting should be done early spring. Pruning is not necessary for Group 1 and should be light for Group 2.

During Mid spring, you may plant some annuals at the surface, continue applying fertilizer and tie vines to enhance support.

Late spring is a time to keep an eye on the water content of the plant. Mulch may be applied but should not touch the clematis. Light pruning should be done to Group 1.

2. Summer – Fungal infections may start to settle in. Watch out for and remove infected parts. You may use a bleach solution to sanitize the plant. Prune Group 2 about 1.5 inches back after the first flush. Water adequately.

3.Winter – Ensure the vines are well tied for support during the harsh winter conditions. Mulch can also be used but should not touch the plant leaves. Ensure water is well provided.

That’s all you need to know on how to plant a clematis flower! Feel free to share and comment below if you have additional tips.

When it comes to home care and gardening, it is essential to have a good quality hose. The hard part can be deciding which hose would be best for your needs. There are many options to choose from on the market, and it can be hard to see the difference between them at first glance. It can be very tempting to buy the cheapest option available to save money, but this is not always the right choice. There are a few small differences that can significantly affect how long your hose lasts and how easy it is for you to use.

A standard garden hose should last you quite a few years. An average of 5 to 10 years is a normal life for a hose. However, many people end up replacing hoses every year due to rot or cracks because they didn’t know what to look for when purchasing their hose.

In this article, we are going to go through a few different tips on how to make sure you are choosing the right hose for your needs. We will also make sure you know how to buy a hose that is going to last, so you don’t need to buy a new one every year.

How To know Which Hose is Right for You.

Garden Hoses are not one size fits all. When purchasing a new garden hose you will need to consider the size of the are you will be using it for. You also need to keep in mind how you will be using it, where you will be storing it, and of course the limits of your budget. In general, there are specific points you need to consider when looking for a new hose.

Length – Bigger is not always better when it comes to purchasing a new garden hose. it comes in different lengths, 25fy, 50ft, 75ft, and 100ft. While it may be tempting to buy the biggest one to take care of all your needs, this isn’t a wise decision. Large hoses are not only more expensive, but they are heavier and require more space for storage. A longer hose can also mean less water pressure. The best way to figure out the right length of hose for you is to measure from your spigot to the farthest point you will need to water. You need a hose that reaches just beyond that.

Hose Diameter – The bigger the diameter of your hose the more water it can carry. The most common diameters are 3/4 and 5/8 inch. The most common and useful width is 5/8″. This diameter offers a good flow of water and good pressure as well. If the weight of the hose is an issue for you, you may want to consider a smaller hose like a 1/2″ diameter. Lighter weight hoses that are smaller in diameter are suitable for smaller watering jobs, such as deck flowers.

Material – When it comes to what your hose is made of, rubber is the best bet. Rubber is the most durable and long lasting out of all the materials hoses are available in. They withstand the weather better than most, and they are less likely to rupture or crack. The only downside is that they generally carry a higher price tag, and they are a bit heavier than ones made out of the vinyl material. Rubber hoses are a good fit for heavy duty use and are also more likely to withstand the seasons.

Strength – When it comes to figuring out how strong your hose is, you need to look at the burst pressure. This is what indicates how much pressure the hose can withstand before bursting. It is important to take into consideration if you plan to be using sprinklers or spray nozzles. For use with sprinklers or nozzles, it is best to get a hose with 350psi. If you intend to use your hose for pressure washing or other high intensity uses you will need to find a hose with higher psi than that.

Flexibility – When purchasing a new hose you want to be sure that it can flex and bend around corners without kinking or breaking. It is also important that a hose is flexible for when it comes time to store it. Reinforced hoses and rubber hoses tend to be the least likely to kink.

Couplings – Garden hose couplings are the ends that attach to your spigots, and nozzles. You want to make sure that the material the linkages are made of is good quality to ensure that your hose lasts. Stamped metal is usually not the best bet, and you are better off sticking to couplings made out of cut brass.

Now that you know what to look for when buying a hose, I want to show you a few of the options available that I and many others have found to be among the best. For now, I am going to stick with the Expandable garden hoses. These hoses are durable and great all-purpose hoses, they don’t kind or twist, and they store very easily. All in all the flexible garden hose is a gardener’s best friend.

Best Expandable Garden Hose

1. Treeco Expandable Hose

The design of this hose makes it easy to store and resistant to twists and kinks. Even though this model does come with a rack for storage, it can easily collapse and fit into something as small as a bucket to save space. This hose is made out of latex and has a zinc alloy nozzle to prevent rust. To top it all off this hose is leak and burst proof as well. Even though this hose is fairly long at 50 feet, it weighs very little and will not be a problem to pack around when the need arises. The metal sprayer it comes with has eight different settings, making it perfect for any job. These are an all around an excellent quality hose.

2. GrowGreen

This hose is green in color as the name suggests. It comes in 100ft length but has some pretty handy features. Without water in it this hose is 33ft long, but when under pressure it expands to 3 times its original length. It is designed to be kink and tangle-free, this is especially useful when it comes time to store it for the winter. It also comes with an eight setting nozzle and a 12-month warranty to ensure a quality product.

3. Ohuhu Expandable Garden Hose

This hose would be perfect if you are tired of packing around all that heavy hose. This is a shorter hose that has a maximum length of 17ft. It is made with a durable latex interior to ensure durability. This hose would be a good choice if space were a concern as well.

4. Titan Expanding Garden Hose

This hose is perfect for a wide variety of every day uses. If you have an ample space you need to be able to reach across this hose will get it done. It is quite lightweight considering its 150ft length when fully expanded. It is very flexible, yet durable and built to withstand heavy use. This hose doesn’t kink, twist, or tangle, which makes it easier to roll up and makes it last longer as well. This hose comes equipped with solid brass fittings that are crush proof and easy to attach and detach. The 30-day money back guarantee also ensures that you are happy with your purchase.

5. Forever Garden Hose by Flexon

This is another great kink free option to consider when you are looking to purchase your new hose. It features a 5 ply build making it incredibly strong. It also is equipped with crush proof fittings and a Guard-and Grip connector. The Connector itself makes this hose stand out from all the rest, making it effortless to connect and disconnect the hose from any spigot.

All of these hoses mentioned above offer great features to make your gardening experience that much better. There are so many different options available, and with a little research you will surely find what you are looking for. Especially If you take your time and make sure you take all the important points into consideration. Stick to these guidelines and you should have no problem purchasing a good quality hose that works great for your needs, and lasts you through a few gardening seasons. Remember you should not have to replace your garden hose every year if it is of good quality. When you have a good quality garden hose it can make all of your tasks just a little bit simpler, and who doesn’t want a helping hand in an already busy life. You will be amazed when you realize how much difference good quality gardening tools can make.

Did you know that tomato is one of the most commonly grown vegetables in the entire world? Well, I thought you should know. The popularity and use of this veggie have also earned it a nickname whereby some people prefer calling it kingpin of the garden.

Anyone can grow tomatoes but what separates a good grower and a “bad” one of the kind of care you employ when growing the crop. There are various services that you need to carry out while the plant is growing and one of them is pruning.

What is pruning?

Pruning of tomato or vegetable refers to the process of getting rid of the large, dead or even unwanted part(s) of the plants. These parts include the branch, the bud, roots, and even the stems.

The primary purpose of pruning vegetables is to create a room or allow the best parts of the plant to grow well to increase or improve the fruitfulness. Note that in some cases, people opt to prune their plants to create a better crescent shape on the plants.

This is essential as it improves the stability of the plant without forgetting its health too. Other benefits that you may reap for pruning your plants include; increase of the quality growth of the pant, and such plants tend to yield healthy fruits as well.

Importance of pruning tomato plants

As we all know, tomatoes tend to grow quite fast, and therefore, pruning helps the plant to increase its production and stability. The growth occurs on the leaves whereby they become broader and stronger after pruning a change which is noticeable within the first two weeks of pruning.

Tomatoes are in two groups which include determinate and indeterminate. Determinate tomatoes usually have thick leaves while indeterminate consists of thin leaves also referred to as vine leaves.

The indeterminate tomatoes grow fast and thus, require more pruning since if the plant exceeds in weight due to the overgrowing leaves, it may easily break on the stem or even drop.

This can cause a considerable loss for the farmer especially if the ground is wet as the wetness tends to damage the tomatoes that touch the ground. Another con of this act is that the vegetables may end up yielding less than anticipates as the branches are not healthy and some may be damaged.

What causes all the damages on the branches?

Ones the branches of the plant drop to the ground, the branch tends to find the nearest support on the ground, and in most cases, this could be weeds such as the grass and other nearby plants. Then the branches of the tomatoes get entangled to the blades of the herbs.

So, the damage occurs when the farmer tries to untangle the vegetables from the grass or other plants. For the safety of your tomato plant and the fruits, pruning is one of the necessary steps that you should not omit in your growing process.

If you don’t have enough time to prune your tomatoes, or if you are not good at it, then I would recommend that you plant the determinate tomatoes as they require less to no pruning.

Alternatively, take your time and learn a few steps on how to successfully prune your tomatoes for better production.

Without further ado, the following are steps to follow when pruning your tomatoes.

1. Know the type of vegetable you are growing

Knowing the group of tomato on your farm is crucial as it guides you to determine how to prune it correctly. Both determinate and indeterminate tomatoes grow differently whereby the determinate grow in full form and usually establish themselves before they increase in bushy form. On the other hand, indeterminate plants require guidance on how to thrive in upright form to enable them to grow accordingly.

Some of the varieties of these two types of tomatoes that you can find in the market include;

Indeterminate class; Big Boy, Beef Master, Black Prince, German queen, and cherry tomatoes to name a few.

Determinate tomatoes; ace 55, Amelia, Better Bush, Biltmore, Heat master and also the Heinz Classic.

2. Know where to prune

Remember not all parts of the tomatoes are supposed to remove and therefore, you need to figure out the parts that require pruning. The growing stems also referred to as suckers are the parts that require pruning.

This is because allowing these parts to grow may slow down the plant considering they need more energy to grow which can only be drained from the rest of the plant.

Tip:  Do the pruning after the stems and leaves located below the first yield set of flowers turn yellow.

3. Remove the entire branch of sucker situated below the first flower cluster.

Note that this step applies to all types of tomatoes as it helps to ensure that the nutrients are directly transferred to the fruits and not wasted on the suckers. It also helps the plant to grow and yield better.

Tip: make sure to prune the suckers when they are still young and stable.

For those living in warmer zones and you would like to prune some stems and leaves on the tomatoes, do so once they turn yellow since they are helpful for shielding the plant when they are still green and healthy. But if you live in humid areas, make sure to remove these parts together with the prunes to allow ventilation.

4. Do not touch the thick shoots.

It is advisable that you avoid pruning the thick shoots on the stem to avoid damaging the plant. The full shoot somehow offers support to the plant, and its leaves may also aid in the photosynthesis process. But if you feel like the shoots have to be removed, use the Missouri pruning which involves the removal of the tip of the sucker.

Tip: Make sure to prune your tomatoes all around the summer season to keep the plants healthy.

5. For indeterminate plants leave about four or five trusses for fruit bearing.

The indeterminate plants require being free as much as possible for stability hence the need to leave only the necessary trusses. The most appropriate branches to retain are the ones that grow above the first flower cluster.

Tips: Ensure the vine plants are supported by tying on a solid object to prevent them from falling off ones they start producing fruits.

6. Remove yellow leaves.

As the plant continues to grow, the lower leaves also mature and starts to turn yellow. So, make sure to remove these leaves at this stage to prevent them from absorbing the nutrients required by the other parts of the plant.

7. Top the tomatoes.

Topping the tomatoes especially before the first expected frost, or when the plant grows to a reasonable level helps to increase production at the end of the season. So, ones you prune the suckers, top the plant to ensure all the nutrients get directed to the fruits.