- Indeterminate tomato varieties continue growing throughout the season and require staking. These tomatoes benefit from pruning and may be necessary to keep the plant contained. Wait until the plant has reached 1 to 2 feet tall to assure the plant is strong enough for pruning. Pinch off suckers by hand or with clean, sharp pruning shears when suckers are 1 to 2 inches. Water plants at soil level after pruning to keep soil out of the plant's open wounds.
- Determinate tomatoes only grow to a certain fairly short height, ripening fruit all at one time with stems that support fruit well, eliminating the necessity for staking. Pruning is usually unnecessary for these plants but can still have some benefit, primarily to concentrate growth on less fruit. Prune lightly as it will affect yields. Pruning exposes the plant to more sunlight and ventilation so minimal pruning can be beneficial.
- Towards the end of a season, plants may begin to outgrow their support. When this occurs, pruning the top of the plant may be beneficial to keep the plant contained and concentrate growth on the fruit already in production. Pinch off suckers growing over the top of the support. Doing so will put the plant's energy back into the existing plant fruit.
- Ripen the first tomatoes on the vine quicker by pruning roots. Delay pruning until three to four clusters of tomatoes are present on the plant. Place a spade 1 foot from the base of the plant and press it down into the soil 6 to 8 inches. Move the spade in a circular motion to cut some of the roots. The plant will expedite maturing the fruit on the vine, but will take a break from producing before returning to full production.
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