How to Grow Twice the Tomatoes in1/2 the Space

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Күн бұрын

In this episode, I'll teach you how to grow twice the tomato plants in half the space with single stem pruning - this is a game changer! Grow stronger, healthier plants, and harvest more tomatoes (not just leaves) even if you have a small garden!
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SUPPLIES USED IN THIS VIDEO:
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➡Tomato clips: amzn.to/4b1191Z
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WATCH THESE VIDEOS FOR MORE TOMATO TIPS:
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bit.ly/CaliKimTomatoMistakes
bit.ly/CaliKimSuperchargeToma...
bit.ly/CaliKim5SecretsToGrowT...
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TABLE OF CONTENTS: (click the time stamp to re-watch your favorite part of the video)
00:00 Introduction
00:24 Benefits of single stem pruning
01:26 Step 1: Plant tomatoes on a string trellis/sturdy tall stake
02:07 Step 2: Identify the main stem
03:08 Step 3: Prune lower branches and suckers
07:38 Step 4: Support stem with clips
08:40 Step 5: Prune & clip weekly
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Пікірлер: 70

@CaliKim29 Ай бұрын

Are you single stemming your tomatoes?! Thanks for gardening with us! -CaliKim & CameraGuy ➡30% off CaliKim Seed Collections, CK Smart Pots and garden kits with code “DAD”, calikimgardenandhome.com. Ends 6.18.24. ➡June “Sizzling’ Summer Salad Station” Grow Your Groceries with CaliKim Connect+ Subscription Box: $20 off 1st box w/code “CONNECTJUNE”: bit.ly/CaliKimGrowYourGroceriesConnectPlusSubscriptionBox. Includes heat tolerant leafy green seeds, seed starting containers, soil, self-watering stake, and FREE canister of Monterey Lawn and Garden Sluggo Plus ($20 value). Available for limited time only. Visit monterylawngarden.com for pest and disease control products.

@Stephanie_Cumbie Ай бұрын

One day, I’ll be brave enough to try it! I just ate one of my golden jubilee today in a salad, I cut it up into about eight different pieces and it was so juicy and delightful!

@CaliKim29 Ай бұрын

Stephanie - you got this, girl! Go for it! Golden Jubes are simply the best. Beautiful, sweet and delish - a win-win. Glad you're enjoying yours!

@paulnipper4071 Ай бұрын

Thanx for sharing ..... Thanx for reinforcement of the alcohol do for the shears

@CaliKim29 Ай бұрын

You're welcome! Using alcohol to clean shears is a great tip for keeping them in good condition. Thanks for watching and I'm glad you found the information helpful! Kim

@barbaracarbone4658 Ай бұрын

I like this. I have a few containers of tomatoes and they really tend to get very bushy. This will keep them neat and productive. Thanks much🎉🎉

@CaliKim29 Ай бұрын

Hi Barbara - single stemming is perfect for containers - keeps them manageable and looking tidy. Glad you like it - let me know how it goes with your tomatoes this summer!

@santaanaroadwildman3614 Ай бұрын

I can use this method in my small subdivision yard! Now that I know how to start from seed I can have an assembly line! All my tomatoes are indeterminate so I shall trim the suckas. 🍅

@CaliKim29 Ай бұрын

Sounds great, SARW! Perfect for a small yard - do let us know how the sucka trimming goes and how you like this technique.

@tressashea9105 Ай бұрын

Yes, trying it this year as well. The last 2 years have not been good (especially last year) for my tomato plants. I got huge plants but no production. Hoping for a better year this year!

@CaliKim29 Ай бұрын

You and me both, Tressa! Can't wait to hear how your tomatoes do this year - make sure to come back and let me know!

@juliaschreiber7819 Ай бұрын

I appreciate the demonstration of pruning in various scenarios. Nice of your plants to provide the opportunity. Great video. I am trying this method this year.

@CaliKim29 Ай бұрын

Glad it was helpful, Julie! lol, it's always wonderful when the plants cooperate. Keep me posted how your tomatoes grow!

@yesterdayseyes Ай бұрын

I like my wild tomato jungle, always have more than we can possibly eat.

@CaliKim29 Ай бұрын

Hi yesterday - those wild tomato jungles are fun too, especially if you have the space. Always great to have the abundance. Do you can or freeze the surplus?

@Fil-AmGardening Ай бұрын

Great tips as always I am trying this method this year, too

@CaliKim29 Ай бұрын

Glad it was helpful - looking forward to hearing back from you later in the summer how your tomatoes grow!

@Fred.pSonic Ай бұрын

I'm seeing more and more gardeners using this technique so now I must try it too. Will experiment on a Sungold but wonder if there are any special considerations (like keeping more sun leaves) for larger fruit like a Jet Star or Romano or even a Beefsteak? Can't wait to see how yours develop, thanks for the inspiration CK.

@CaliKim29 Ай бұрын

Hi Fred, the string trellis method has been used quite a bit in commercial greenhouses in the past, but now more and more backyard gardeners are using it to grow more in less space and have healthier plants. I'm really having fun with it! Yes, I suggest leaving more sun leaves for those larger varieties to shade the tomatoes. Let me know how it goes for you - will be fun to chat about it!

@808.ladybugs Ай бұрын

🌺Aloha, we just about completed our video on the string method. We used whatever we had on hand and made the trellis in a large growing container. We'll be adjusting ours since we are not using the string on the roll release method. J. Prigioni (The Gardening Channel) showed this method on one of his tomato videos. I hope it works, since I haven't grown indeterminate since my first year of gardening . I couldn't keep up with the growth. See you in tomorrow's class connect for more tomato info.👏♥

@CaliKim29 Ай бұрын

Aloha Jan - we love how resourceful you two are! Will check out your video - it's always fun to experiment with a new technique. I'm looking forward to seeing how the lower and lean method works - will keep you posted, and you keep us posted too! See you in the Connect+ class later on today!

@brianseybert192 Ай бұрын

I used to use the plant clips, but now I use a professional tape tool due to my arthritic hands, a real game changer for me (now they have biodegradable tape). Years ago I used string, then bamboo, and now I trellis up cattle panels, a permanent low maintenance approach for me. I also like being able to let a couple main stems produce fruit. I wait until the plants get to be about 18" tall before trimming, gives the plant a chance to set some good roots and root exudates. Nice video, a lot of good points. Stay Well!!

@CaliKim29 Ай бұрын

Hi Brian, I really like how you've adapted your gardening style to fit your preferences and your situation. This makes it doable for you to grow your own food in spite of the challenges that no doubt come along with arthritic hands. Great job!

@tommartin4657 Ай бұрын

Learn something new with each video. Thanks for sharing!

@CaliKim29 Ай бұрын

My pleasure!!!

@SkinnyPigDesigns Ай бұрын

Seeing Mac made me really happy 🐶🥰

@CaliKim29 Ай бұрын

Awww, how sweet - Mac is the best garden dog ever! He sends his greetings and hugs back at ya!

@pamelag.4417 Ай бұрын

I tried one stem and had problems with sunscald and less production as opposed to two stem plants. Happy gardening!!

@CaliKim29 Ай бұрын

Hi Pamelag - that's the great thing about gardening, so many methods to get to a harvest. Glad you found what works well for you. Enjoy your tomatoes this summer!

@patcombs6235 Ай бұрын

I did the single stem on my tomato plants , and they look great. CaliKim, I have a Sicily tomato that I never grew before. It's real low to the soil, and full of tomatoes, so I don't know how to trim it. Love Max❤

@CaliKim29 Ай бұрын

Great job, Pat! Single stemming works beautifully for indeterminate tomatoes. Sicily, on the other. hand is a determinate variety, smaller type of plant that stops growing after it sets fruit. Once it's done producing it's fruit, it dies. Doesn't need heavy pruning, aside from branches that touch the ground (to avoid soil splash). Sounds like yours is doing well! Let me know how you like that variety!

@doreenmangru3490 Ай бұрын

Thanks for sharing

@dawninthemountains Ай бұрын

That smell of tomato leaves just takes me right to summer.

@CaliKim29 Ай бұрын

Ahhh, the best! Couldn't agree more, Dawn!

@p.j.8450 Ай бұрын

I'm definitely going to try it and I'm looking forward to a great harvest ❤

@CaliKim29 Ай бұрын

Wonderful - hope you enjoy it! Let me know, P.J.!

@marktallen007 Ай бұрын

Awesome! Thanks!

@CaliKim29 Ай бұрын

You got it! Let me know how you like this method, Mark. Thanks for stopping by!

@TravisTarver60 Ай бұрын

Kim, follow a lot of your videos with quality information. How can you call this a game changer when your just trying it? I’m using this string method simply because trellis height with drop and lean. Single stemming and double stems. Double stem is twice as productive. J\S experience a method with result’s history before claiming “game changer” as click bait. It worked I clicked

@CaliKim29 Ай бұрын

Part click/bait, but truth. This is going to be a game changer. Insider intel - they are already 2 1/2 feet tall. I've had them ever grow this fast. So you clicked on the video...and now, I am writing a comment directly to you, and hopefully I have a new subscriber. And we're both eating healthier. That's a win-win-win in my book. How about you, Travis?

@TravisTarver60 Ай бұрын

@@CaliKim29 ha! Fair enough! Mine are doing well. Over 6 ft to 8 ft and eating healthy with fresh pico, salads and BLT’s . Bacon is in the one of the major food groups right?😀happy gardening!

@helenmcclellan452 Ай бұрын

I single stemmed the last two years, but decided to cage this year. I may need to plant four more and single stem to compare yield.

@CaliKim29 Ай бұрын

Hi Helen - always great to change it up, experiment and see which method you like the best, or do both! Keep me posted!

@mplslawnguy3389 Ай бұрын

Single stemming has a lot of benefits. Yes, you may lose production, but this can be offset with the ability to plant more tomato plants in a smaller space. I'd say if your area is prone to diseases and pests, single stem them. Not only will it make those issues easier to manage, it just makes maintaining and harvesting tomatoes so much easier, because an unmanaged indeterminate tomato can grow into an absolute mess of tangled branches and fruit clusters.

@CaliKim29 Ай бұрын

You got that right, lawnguy! Exactly why I'm doing it this year. It's a good look in the garden, can't wait to actually be able to SEE my tomatoes! Thanks for following along and subscribing if you haven't already. Happy tomato growing!

@juliekovach9784 Ай бұрын

Another great video! I have my tomatoes in tall Titan tomato cages. Do you think single stem pruning will work for these tomatoes?

@CaliKim29 Ай бұрын

Yes it will, you can optimize the health and productivity of your tomato plants, making the most of the vertical space and support provided by the cages: improved air flow, better light penetration, ease of maintenance and increased fruit quality, Julie! Kim

@esthersdaughterlong8149 Ай бұрын

I gave up on my indeterminate tomato plant. First, it's too hot here in Florida, and 2nd something is eating the blossoms. I've sprayed, used diatomaceous Earth, and neam oil and I don't see on caterpillar. It's over 6 ft tall. Think I'll try bush later in the season.

@CaliKim29 Ай бұрын

Hi Esther - that Florida heat is brutal, so frustrating to see your tomato plants have issues! With your long growing season, great idea to get another round of 'maters going, either indeterminate, or those bush determinate types that grow quickly. Hope you have better luck next time around!

@keithrodz6485 Ай бұрын

So good kim how do u when to harvest a tomato 🍅🍅🍅🍅

@CaliKim29 Ай бұрын

Hey Keith, to save them from the critters, you can harvest just after first blush, just when it starts changing color. Let it fully ripen on the counter, out of direct sunlight so it doesn't spoil. To vine ripen, wait for it to fully change color and gently squeeze. When it has a little "give" to it, time to harvest and enjoy!

@ToddfromCalifornia Ай бұрын

I did decide to try this, I started a couple sun gold suckers and am doing it with those. I want to figure something else out be sides tomato cages every year I say these are worthless Lol maybe cattle panels. any way your are looking real nice.

@whodidit99 Ай бұрын

Sun Gold are unmanageable, so I'm trying this with them next year.

@CaliKim29 Ай бұрын

Thank you, Todd! So glad you're trying it this year - I'm loving the change . It really opens up the space, and looks much nicer than ton's of tomato cages all over the garden. Looking forward to great harvests, keep me posted how your Sungolds like it!

@deboz8793 Ай бұрын

So, question: is the fruit production supposed to be greater with the single stem as opposed to letting the plant grow naturally?

@CaliKim29 Ай бұрын

A single stem CAN (key word) indeed lead to greater fruit production, especially for certain types of tomatoes like indeterminate varieties. While single-stem pruning can result in larger fruits, it might reduce the total number of fruits compared to a bushier plant. You need to decide whether or not you prefer a larger quantity of smaller fruits or fewer but larger fruits. CaliKim Would be interesting, just for fun, to hear what route you decide to go - CaliKim

@deboz8793 Ай бұрын

@@CaliKim29- Ahhh! I think I’ll take a middle of the road’ approach. I’ll cut off b😊ranches that’s going ‘wild’, but those that has 2 leaders, I’ll keep those. So, somewhat wild, but not. 😄 I think the fruit production might be not too small in size, but more than if it’s a single stem growth production.

@CaliKim29 Ай бұрын

Sounds like a great plan, Deboz! CK

@emilybh6255 Ай бұрын

What do you do when "fan leafs" (as you mentioned in the video) grow downwards towards the ground? Should they be removed or is it growing that way to either shade or be exposed to the sun? I am currently dealing with tomato plant issues I have never seen before with Paul Robeson Tomatoes. This is the first time I've tried growing them. I don't know if they are just extremely sensitive or I got a batch of defective seeds. They seemed to do fine germinating as seedlings under grow lights and heat mats. After transplanting they were O.K. They continued to grow (except the leaves all pointed downwards). They even flowered and began growing fruit. Then the leaves in sections of the plant would wilt and dry up forming a black outline along the edges of the leaves. I should say. my other tomatoes so far (Sun Gold and Cherokee Purple) growing right next to these pathetic looking plants look great. I haven't been seeing any yellowing of leaves or spots on the Paul Robesons. The stems look a little bruised but that is all. Have you Kim, or any of your community seen this with any of their tomatoes? Are there certain varieties that are EXTREMELY SENSITIVE like Paul Robeson? I know I'm not the only one because the reviews of the Paul Robeson Tomatoes on the Baker Creek website included a review from last summer where a customer, like myself, had the same experience with these seeds. So to make a long story longer, in general, is it a good idea to prune down growing leaves from tomato plants no mater the variety? Also are there certain varieties notorious for dying when having to deal with less than perfect conditions?

@CaliKim29 Ай бұрын

Hi Emily, sorry you're having issues with Paul Robeson. I've not grown this variety or encountered this issue. Email me a photo (calikim@calikimgardenandhome.com) and I"ll send it to horticulturist Clayton from Monterey Lawn & Garden to identify what the issue it. He's an expert at tomato diseases and is always happy to help our viewers. I trim off the end of any fan leaves that are touching the ground to avoid soil splash, and leave the remainder of the leaf on the plant. I demonstrate this in the video, rewatch to see how I do it. Keep us posted, looking forward to your email.

@emilybh6255 Ай бұрын

@@CaliKim29 Thanks for your interest Kim. I will send pictures. Baker Creek refunded me the cost of the seeds (which were expensive considering how few were in the packet) after I sent them pictures of two of the plants showing the sickness setting in and then a few days later pictures when they were really shriveling up! I also pointed out that in the review section of their website another of their customers had the same experience growing Paul Robeson tomatoes from seeds she got there.. Additionally, I found on a forum called "Tomatoville" someone posted that they'd also had a rough time trying to trow them. [Yes I know about pruning the lower leaves. I've been doing that for years. I probably learned how from one of your older videos.]

@AlyceMa Ай бұрын

Are dwarf tomatoes indeterminite?

@CaliKim29 Ай бұрын

Dwarf tomatoes can be either determinate or indeterminate, depending on the variety. Generally, most dwarf tomato varieties are indeterminate, meaning they continue to grow and produce fruit throughout the growing season until killed by frost or disease. However, there are some dwarf varieties that are determinate, which grow to a certain size, produce a set amount of fruit, and then stop growing. To determine whether a specific dwarf tomato variety is determinate or indeterminate, it's best to refer to the seed packet or the description provided by the seed supplier. CK

@AlyceMa Ай бұрын

Thank you. Do you prune dwarf indeterminate tomatoes?

@hippiegirl5167 Ай бұрын

Wait a minute. You must have been watching the gardening channel. He just talked about the same thing almost from word to word.

@CaliKim29 Ай бұрын

Hey Hippie Girl - yes I have - James has great tips! I even mentioned him in the video! How' are your tomatoes growing this year?

@heyyou4023 Ай бұрын

The title of your excerpt and description doesn't say it's an indeterminate tomato. I would have liked to know that from the beginning, instead of once at 1:40.

@fultonjohnsonaton5096 Ай бұрын

So what, get a life. Virtually every tomato video is indeterminate tomatoes. Jees what a waste of time