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Tomato plant topping. Is now the time?

TobykeaneTobykeane Posts: 47
in Problem solving
Hello gardeners,

I have a number of outside growing tomatoes and am wondering if you think now is the time to start topping them to stop anymore growth before the end of summer? I am in south east Suffolk on the coast which I think is an 8b or possibly even 9a zone. Thanks

Posts

  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    I’m in mid Norfolk (I come from down your way). I shall be stopping mine this week ... they’ve set 5 trusses. 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • TobykeaneTobykeane Posts: 47
    Perfect thanks. That's about the same as what mine have done. Still nothing even nearly looking ripe though!
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    edited August 2020
    We picked our first 5 Sungolds on Sunday and that’s early for us ... none of the other variety are ripe yet. 
    I expect to still be picking in early September. 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • purplerallimpurplerallim Posts: 5,287
    Outside its the drop in heat that will stop them ripening. So to make the plant ripen what is already in fruit take the top off. All energy will then go into finishing what is there not producing more that don't have the chance to ripen.
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