| It seems as though sometimes when working in | | | | objectives. |
| the garden that there are a lot of tasks that we | | | | This has never been truer than when growing |
| do that one might sometimes consider as being | | | | tomatoes, so when asked the question is it really |
| unnecessary. After all if a plant was growing wild | | | | necessary to prune tomato plants the answer has |
| as nature intended they would not get lavish care | | | | to be a resounding yes. The reasons are also |
| and attention would they? | | | | fairly clear when listed: |
| Clearly the answer to that question is 'no of | | | | - Keeping the vine clear of the ground by clipping |
| course not', so why then do we do it. Its a pretty | | | | off the lower stems will help ensure that they |
| straight forward answer or set of answers really | | | | remain disease free. |
| and probably best put in bullet statements: | | | | - Taking out the excess stems that are not doing |
| - We want to increase and optimise the amount | | | | so well will mean that the remaining healthy stems |
| of yield we get from our plants | | | | get their full quota of nutrients and produce lots |
| - we want to increase and optimise the best | | | | of wonderful fruit |
| tasting fruit in terms of flavour | | | | - Keeping the plant down in size with only healthy |
| - We want our fruit to look great when served | | | | thriving stems will mean you can utilise available |
| - We want our plants to last as long as possible in | | | | space for more plants but still allow the plants to |
| the growing season and continue to produce fruit. | | | | receive the optimum amounts of sunshine and |
| So in order to meet these objectives we take | | | | nutrients they need to flourish. |
| actions that would not necessarily occur in nature, | | | | So yes there is a price to pay for producing great |
| after all what is nature's prime objective, I think it | | | | tomatoes, but that price is very small in |
| is survival of the fittest and strongest but that | | | | comparison to the rewards. If you haven't already |
| does not always meet our objectives and it is | | | | experienced the satisfaction of picking your own |
| why we develop plant strains that do, so the | | | | fresh fruits from your garden then when you do |
| price we pay occasionally is to increase the level | | | | you will fully understand what I mean. |
| of care required to ensure we meet our | | | | |