| Tomato plants can grow very quickly with the | | | | reduce it's sugar productivity. When the plant |
| proper growing conditions. Letting them sprawl out | | | | doesn't produce enough sugar the leaves will turn |
| freely can be a setup for disaster. Overcrowded | | | | yellow and fall off. Staking and pruning your |
| plants are the prime target for insect and disease | | | | tomato plants will improve the productivity of fruit |
| problems in your garden. A little simple | | | | and allow for an earlier maturity time of as much |
| maintenance can prevent these problems from | | | | as three weeks. When properly pruned and |
| happening. | | | | staked it will allow more sunlight to enter all areas |
| Pruning your tomato plants will aid in the | | | | of the plant and increase the sugar productivity |
| prevention of disease and pest problems as well | | | | that can be directed to develop larger fruit, along |
| as improve the health and productivity of your | | | | with a healthier plant. |
| crop. With tomatoes plants you want to maximize | | | | Soil quality, moisture content and sunlight are the |
| the efficiency of photosynthesis and minimize the | | | | three main things needed in having a highly |
| risk of insect and disease problems. This is best | | | | productive tomato crop. With these three your |
| done by ensuring the plant has plenty of air flow | | | | crop will not only be healthier, but the risk of |
| around it and is supported off the ground. Letting | | | | insect and disease problems in your garden will be |
| your tomato plants grow dense with leaves will | | | | greatly reduced. |
| allow for an excessive amount of shade that can | | | | |