However, mistakes in care and cultivation can significantly reduce yield.
1. Not removing suckers
Many novice gardeners allow side shoots to grow, thinking they will produce more fruit. In reality, they steal nutrients and energy from the main plant, resulting in fewer and smaller tomatoes. Additionally, excess foliage delays ripening, as the plant focuses on leaf growth rather than fruit development.
So, regularly remove side shoots, especially from tall varieties, to direct energy towards fruit production.
2. Overcrowding plants
While some crops benefit from dense planting, tomatoes require good air circulation and sunlight exposure. When planted too closely together, the plants compete for nutrients, weaken, and become susceptible to diseases.
Maintain the proper spacing—at least 50 cm between plants—to ensure they receive enough light and air circulation.
3. Incorrect watering
Tomatoes need consistent moisture, especially in the first few weeks after transplanting. Insufficient watering leads to wilting, blossom drop, and fruit cracking, while overwatering increases the risk of fungal diseases.
How to water properly:
Provide about 5 liters of water per bush.
Water 2-3 times a week, preferably in the morning or evening.
Avoid wetting the leaves and stems—the moisture should go directly to the roots.
Cover the soil with mulch to prevent evaporation.
4. Letting seedlings become leggy
If seedlings are left too long before transplanting, they become weak and stressed, making it difficult for them to root in the garden. Instead of developing strong roots and stems, leggy plants struggle to adapt and yield less fruit.
Experienced gardeners strongly recommend transplanting seedlings at the right time—usually when they have 5-7 true leaves and reach a height of about 20-25 cm.
5. Neglecting pollination
Although tomatoes are self-pollinating, enhancing pollination efficiency can lead to higher yields.
How to boost the pollination process:
Gently shake the tomato bushes on a warm, sunny day.
If growing in a greenhouse, use a small fan or open windows for air circulation.
Encourage pollinators, such as bees, or lightly touch the flowers with a soft brush.
Remember, how to quickly grow a bountiful and healthy onion harvest: no bolting, pests, or rot
Earlier, “hyser” reported, there will be no potato harvest in 2025: what not to do in the garden
As reported by “hyser,” abnormal winter weather – a harbinger of great trouble: will a hellish summer turn Ukraine into a "Sahara," causing crops and gardens to disappear?