As the threat of an early frost looms, one gardening expert has shared an important tip
14:45, 13 Sep 2025Updated 14:46, 13 Sep 2025
Gardeners urged to do one task this summer(Image: Getty)
As summer nears its end, gardeners are confronted with a vital choice that could determine the success of their crop yield. The shifting season brings chillier evenings and the possibility of premature frost, meaning when cultivating tomatoes, not all fruit on the plant will manage to mature in time.
Thankfully, a seasoned horticulturist has turned to Instagram to share a straightforward technique that could enhance your prospects of gathering more mature, tasty tomatoes before the growing period concludes.
Jamie Walton, who goes by @nettlesandpetals, explained: “It’s time to top our tomato plants, and by cutting off the main growing point of the plant, it redirects its energy to ripening the fruit it already has rather than continuing to grow.”
How does topping function?
Removing the plant’s uppermost growth tip prompts it to focus energy on maturing existing fruit rather than investing effort in fresh development, reports the Express.
This technique proves particularly beneficial in regions such as the UK, where summers remain brief and mild, whilst blight risk escalates as late summer transitions into early autumn.
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Within his video description, Jamie added: “As I grow crops throughout the entire winter in the poly tunnels, I’ll also need the space in mid-October, so I want as many fruits to ripen before that point.
“If frost isn’t an issue in your area, then you can leave them to grow and they will continue to vine and produce all year round, but unfortunately, here we don’t have that option. However, once the top of the plant is removed, this can result in the plant producing more side shoots, so keep on top of pruning those as well.”
When should you do it?
Homesteading suggests that gardeners ought to consider topping their tomato plants roughly four weeks before the anticipated first frost, particularly when cultivating determinate varieties.
Topping too early means the plants will cease producing fresh growth, bringing your harvest to a premature conclusion.
Conversely, leaving it too late risks the tomatoes not having sufficient time to ripen before freezing temperatures arrive.
The method
The horticultural specialist advised: “Grab your pruning shears and ensure that they are clean. Head out to the garden and study your tomato plant.
“Locate the central stem and then work upwards until you’ve identified the highest set of fruit that you want to keep. The best ones are tomatoes that are green but large in size, or have already started to turn in colour. These will likely ripen in time!”.
Once you’ve spotted the tomato clusters worth preserving, slice the stem just above that location, retaining some leaves to protect the fruit.
Next, examine the lower portions of the plant and eliminate any additional flowers or small, firm green tomatoes you discover. These won’t have sufficient time to mature before the frost arrives.
By removing them, you enable the plant to concentrate its energy on ripening the most important fruits.
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