Tomato plants can produce bigger fruit if gardeners follow Monty Don's simple five-minute pruning task in July, according to the BBC Gardeners' World presenter. The advice comes as UK gardeners face increased risk of tomato blight due to recent hot and wet weather.
Why July pruning is crucial for tomato health
Tomato blight is more likely to occur in July because the fungal spores thrive in hot and wet conditions. Blight first appears as large dark blotches on tomato leaves and quickly spreads, causing brown patches on the fruit. Once infected, there is no cure, and spores can remain in the soil, threatening future crops.
Monty Don explains on his website: "The best defence for outdoor tomatoes is good ventilation and stripping off the lower leaves as the fruits develop helps this, as well as helping the ripening tomatoes have maximum exposure to sun."
How to prune tomatoes for best results
To prevent blight, gardeners should remove any leaves below the lowest truss, as well as any that touch the soil or appear damaged. This prevents water splashback from the soil, which carries blight spores, and improves airflow so plants dry faster after rain.
Use clean scissors or simply pinch leaves off by hand. Do not prune heavily—plants need leaves for energy. Remove only one to three leaves at a time, waiting a few days between sessions. This five-minute task can be done roughly once a week in July.
Impact on fruit size and yield
Proper pruning directs the plant's energy into fruit production rather than foliage, leading to larger tomatoes. By preventing blight, gardeners ensure their hard work does not go to waste and achieve a better harvest.
As Monty Don notes, this simple maintenance is the only effective prevention since there is no remedy for blight once it strikes.
