[tob2]

Tell me about cutting back tomatoes. Would like to give it a try. Mine are recovering from an accidental overdose of nitrogen. Have corrected the problem; plants looking good but the fruits are just ok.

Have been planning my winter garden; kale, bok choy, mustard, collard, swiss chard, spinach and peas. Also plan on replacing some of the soil in the pots.

[Arrowhead1952]

I usually cut mine back once the last tomato is ripe. Remove all cages or plant stakes. Find the fairly good green “limbs” that are still blooming on the end. Cut about half the limb from the stalk to the end and no more than 18 - 24 inches total plant height.

Do this to all your healthy plants, and pull any that look diseased or very weak. Clean all the grass and loosen the soil around the plants and between the rows. Water the garden at regular intervals.

Within a couple of weeks, you will notice new growth coming from the cut limbs. Let the new growth get strong before putting cages or stakes around the plants. Once the weather gets cooler and nighttime temps get into the 60’s, you will see tomatoes setting again.

Some of the fall tomatoes may not ripen on the vine if you are in a cooler climate. I take the last ones off when we get the first threat of a freeze and let them ripen indoors.