If you want to know how to make tomato plants produce more fruit, you’re in the right place. A bigger harvest comes from understanding a few key things your plants need. With some simple changes, you can encourage more flowers and, ultimately, more tomatoes on every vine.
It’s all about giving your plants the best possible care. From sunlight to pruning, each step helps. Let’s look at the most effective strategies.
How to Make Tomato Plants Produce More Fruit
This goal depends on a combination of factors. You can’t just add more water and hope for the best. Instead, focus on creating the ideal environment for fruit set and growth. Healthy, stress-free plants will naturally reward you with a heavier yield.
1. Choose the Right Variety and Plant Deeply
Start with a variety known for high production. Cherry types like ‘Sun Gold’ are almost always prolific. For slicers, look for hybrids labeled as “heavy yielders” or “disease-resistant.”
When you plant, bury a large portion of the stem. Tomatoes develop roots all along buried stems. This creates a massive, robust root system. A bigger root system can support more fruit.
- Pinch off the lower leaves.
- Dig a deep hole or a shallow trench.
- Lay the plant sideways if needed, bending the top gently upward.
- Cover the stem with soil, leaving just the top cluster exposed.
2. Maximize Sunlight and Warmth
Tomatoes are sun worshippers. They need a minimum of 6 to 8 hours of direct sun daily. More is better. Without enough light, the plant won’t have the energy to produce a lot of fruit.
Ensure they are not shaded by taller plants. Use reflective mulches, like red plastic or even aluminum foil, around the base. This bounces light back up onto the plant and can warm the soil earlier in spring.
3. Water Deeply and Consistently
Inconsistent watering is a major cause of poor fruit set and problems like blossom end rot. Your goal is to keep the soil evenly moist, not sopping wet or bone dry.
- Water deeply at the base, avoiding the leaves.
- Aim for 1-2 inches of water per week, more in extreme heat.
- Use a soaker hose or drip irrigation for the best results.
- Mulch heavily with straw or wood chips to retain moisture.
4. Feed Them Properly (But Not Too Much!)
Tomatoes are hungry plants, but the wrong food at the wrong time causes problems. You want to encourage fruit, not just leaves.
Use a balanced fertilizer when first planting. Once flowers appear, switch to a fertilizer lower in nitrogen and higher in phosphorus and potassium. Look for numbers like 5-10-10 on the bag. Too much nitrogen makes a lush, green bush with very little fruit.
The Best Fertilizing Schedule
- At planting: Mix a balanced organic fertilizer into the soil.
- When first flowers appear: Side-dress with a tomato-specific or bloom-booster fertilizer.
- Every 3-4 weeks during fruiting: Reapply the bloom-booster fertilizer to support continuous production.
5. Prune and Support Your Plants
Good airflow and structure are crucial. Determinate (bush) tomatoes need little pruning. Indeterminate (vining) tomatoes benefit greatly from it.
Use strong cages or stakes. Prune off the “suckers” that grow in the crotch between the main stem and a branch. This directs the plant’s energy into fruit production on the main stems. It also improves air circulation, reducing disease risk.
6. Ensure Good Pollination
Tomatoes are self-pollinating, but they sometimes need a little help. Wind and insects usually do the job. In calm weather, or if your plants are in a greenhouse, you can assist.
- Gently shake the main stem or flower clusters around midday.
- Use an electric toothbrush to vibrate the flower stems (the buzz mimics a bee).
- This helps release the pollen inside the flower.
7. Manage Temperature Extremes
Tomatoes drop their flowers without setting fruit when temperatures are wrong. Night temps below 55°F or day temps above 90°F can cause this. If a heatwave hits, use shade cloth during the hottest part of the day. Water deeply to cool the roots.
8. Harvest Promptly and Regularly
This is a simple trick many gardeners forget. A plant laden with ripe fruit thinks its job is done. By picking tomatoes as soon as they’re ready, you signal the plant to produce more. Check your plants every day or two during peak season.
Common Problems That Reduce Your Harvest
Watch out for these issues. They can quickly limit your yeild.
- Blossom End Rot: Caused by calcium deficiency often due to irregular watering. Maintain consistent soil moisture.
- Leaf Diseases: Fungal issues like blight stress the plant. Water at the base, prune for air flow, and remove affected leaves.
- Pests: Hornworms can strip a plant overnight. Inspect regularly and pick them off.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are my tomato plants flowering but not producing fruit?
This is usually due to temperature stress or poor pollination. High heat or cold nights disrupt fruit set. Try hand-pollinating and providing shade or protection as needed.
What is the best fertilizer for more tomatoes?
After flowering begins, use a fertilizer with a higher middle number (phosphorus), like a 5-10-10 formula. This supports bloom and fruit development directly.
Should I remove leaves to get more fruit?
Some leaf removal is helpful. Prune the lower leaves to improve airflow and prevent soil-borne diseases. But don’t overdo it—the leaves are the engine that powers fruit growth through photosynthesis.
Does pruning tomato plants increase yield?
For indeterminate vining varieties, yes. Pruning suckers focuses the plants energy. For determinate bush types, pruning can actually reduce yield, so avoid it.
How often should you water tomato plants for maximum fruit?
Deep watering 2-3 times per week is usually better than a daily sprinkle. The goal is to keep the soil consistently moist to a depth of 6-8 inches. A layer of mulch is essential for maintaining this moisture.
By following these steps, you give your tomato plants everything they need to thrive. Paying attention to their water, food, and structure makes all the difference. With a little effort, you’ll be picking baskets full of homegrown tomatoes all season long.