- Tomatoes, tomatoes, tommy boys, little tamats,
- Tomatoes, tomatoes, tommy boys, little tamats,

whatever you call these juicy orbs
whatever you call these juicy orbs

of goodness in the garden,
of goodness in the garden,

there are a lot of things that gardeners believe
there are a lot of things that gardeners believe

that might not really be perfectly true
that might not really be perfectly true

about these delicious tomatoes.
about these delicious tomatoes.

Even this guy knows that.
Even this guy knows that.

So in this video, what we're gonna do
So in this video, what we're gonna do

is go over about seven or so
is go over about seven or so

of the most pervasive tomato myths.
of the most pervasive tomato myths.

So we cultivate that light button
So we cultivate that light button

for plus 20% to your tomato ripening factor.
for plus 20% to your tomato ripening factor.

And let's get into the first myth,
And let's get into the first myth,

which is the fact that just because a tomato leaf
which is the fact that just because a tomato leaf

is yellowing or dying means that your tomato plant
is yellowing or dying means that your tomato plant

is in trouble.
is in trouble.

It's really not true.
It's really not true.

If you take a look at this plant here,
If you take a look at this plant here,

I've got some beautiful ripening tomatoes here,
I've got some beautiful ripening tomatoes here,

I have this random little cluster down here,
I have this random little cluster down here,

but then there's all these dead and dying leaves.
but then there's all these dead and dying leaves.

And you might say,
And you might say,

"Okay, well this plant is on its last legs."
"Okay, well this plant is on its last legs."

No, not really.
No, not really.

I mean, the lower leaves on a tomato plant
I mean, the lower leaves on a tomato plant

are the ones that are the oldest,
are the ones that are the oldest,

they're the ones that are the most blocked by the sun,
they're the ones that are the most blocked by the sun,

and generally speaking are the ones that are going to wither
and generally speaking are the ones that are going to wither

and die and be more susceptible to disease the soonest.
and die and be more susceptible to disease the soonest.

So what I like to do is just prune off any tomato leaves
So what I like to do is just prune off any tomato leaves

that are below the first cluster of ripening fruit.
that are below the first cluster of ripening fruit.

So even this entire stem here,
So even this entire stem here,

looks like I already harvested that cluster.
looks like I already harvested that cluster.

So I'm just gonna remove this.
So I'm just gonna remove this.

This one I'll leave
This one I'll leave

and any leaves that are below about this point or so,
and any leaves that are below about this point or so,

I'll remove which I've already done.
I'll remove which I've already done.

You can even remove spent stems,
You can even remove spent stems,

but don't stress if you have a ton of yellowing leaves
but don't stress if you have a ton of yellowing leaves

down low on the plant.
down low on the plant.

If it's all over the plant,
If it's all over the plant,

of course that's a different story.
of course that's a different story.

- One common myth or misconception
- One common myth or misconception

is that you have to grow paste varieties
is that you have to grow paste varieties

to actually make tomato sauce.
to actually make tomato sauce.

So these are Granadero plums,
So these are Granadero plums,

they are disease resistant plum tomato,
they are disease resistant plum tomato,

great for making pasta sauce.
great for making pasta sauce.

The reason why you use paste tomatoes generally for sauce
The reason why you use paste tomatoes generally for sauce

is that they have a lot less fluid in them,
is that they have a lot less fluid in them,

so they're less liquidy, which what that means
so they're less liquidy, which what that means

is that once you actually start processing
is that once you actually start processing

and making your sauce, it won't be that watery.
and making your sauce, it won't be that watery.

So you don't have to reduce it for as long as you would
So you don't have to reduce it for as long as you would

if you were to use a whole mix of beefsteaks
if you were to use a whole mix of beefsteaks

or other types of tomatoes.
or other types of tomatoes.

So that's one of the main advantages,
So that's one of the main advantages,

but really you could use any tomato you want.
but really you could use any tomato you want.

And one of my personal favorites
And one of my personal favorites

is using cherry tomatoes to make your pasta sauce.
is using cherry tomatoes to make your pasta sauce.

This is one of my sungold plants.
This is one of my sungold plants.

And for me, it actually makes
And for me, it actually makes

probably the most delicious pasta sauce that you can make.
probably the most delicious pasta sauce that you can make.

The cool thing about making your pasta sauce
The cool thing about making your pasta sauce

from a cherry tomato is that it's actually a lot faster
from a cherry tomato is that it's actually a lot faster

and easier than any other sauce.
and easier than any other sauce.

Now it might not be the exact same thing,
Now it might not be the exact same thing,

the sauce will be a little more watery,
the sauce will be a little more watery,

but it's wonderful for a quick little summer pasta dish.
but it's wonderful for a quick little summer pasta dish.

And it's great even on a cold pasta salad
And it's great even on a cold pasta salad

- One common myth that you really shouldn't stress over
- One common myth that you really shouldn't stress over

is needing to tickle tomato flowers in order to get fruit.
is needing to tickle tomato flowers in order to get fruit.

So if you are a commercial grower
So if you are a commercial grower

or you grow in a greenhouse, then yes,
or you grow in a greenhouse, then yes,

there are mechanical or hand pollinating techniques
there are mechanical or hand pollinating techniques

that you should use to increase your fruit production.
that you should use to increase your fruit production.

But in most cases, if you are growing tomatoes outside
But in most cases, if you are growing tomatoes outside

when there is wind and when there are bumblebees around
when there is wind and when there are bumblebees around

to buzz pollinate, tickling tomatoes is not necessary.
to buzz pollinate, tickling tomatoes is not necessary.

And this is because tomato plants have flowers
And this is because tomato plants have flowers

that are self fertile.
that are self fertile.

And structurally they're called perfect flowers,
And structurally they're called perfect flowers,

meaning that they have both the male and the female parts.
meaning that they have both the male and the female parts.

And in normal outdoor growing situations,
And in normal outdoor growing situations,

when there's wind or bumblebees around
when there's wind or bumblebees around

to buzz pollinate the flowers,
to buzz pollinate the flowers,

the pollination naturally happens
the pollination naturally happens

when the pollen falls on the female part
when the pollen falls on the female part

and the fruit develops.
and the fruit develops.

However, if you really want to increase your yields,
However, if you really want to increase your yields,

you can go in and tickle those flowers
you can go in and tickle those flowers

or use an electric toothbrush if you have the time
or use an electric toothbrush if you have the time

- The next myth up
- The next myth up

is that you need to have sun hitting the tomato
is that you need to have sun hitting the tomato

in order for it to ripen.
in order for it to ripen.

It's really not the case.
It's really not the case.

You can have a completely protected tomato.
You can have a completely protected tomato.

As long as the leaves are getting enough sun,
As long as the leaves are getting enough sun,

this tomato is still going to ripen.
this tomato is still going to ripen.

So you don't really have to make sure
So you don't really have to make sure

that it's hitting the sun.
that it's hitting the sun.

In fact, sometimes it can warm the tomato up too much,
In fact, sometimes it can warm the tomato up too much,

you can get sun scald
you can get sun scald

on extremely bright days in the summer,
on extremely bright days in the summer,

and it may actually ruin the tomato.
and it may actually ruin the tomato.

So I wouldn't stress if some sun's hitting it,
So I wouldn't stress if some sun's hitting it,

but it's not mandatory.
but it's not mandatory.

- One of the most common myths
- One of the most common myths

is how to actually prune your tomato.
is how to actually prune your tomato.

So a lot of people are in the camp
So a lot of people are in the camp

that you have to remove all your suckers.
that you have to remove all your suckers.

The sucker is the little sprout of a tomato
The sucker is the little sprout of a tomato

that comes between a leaf node and the main stem.
that comes between a leaf node and the main stem.

This will turn into basically a whole nother plant.
This will turn into basically a whole nother plant.

Now the myth behind that
Now the myth behind that

is that you have to prune your suckers
is that you have to prune your suckers

or you don't have to prune your suckers
or you don't have to prune your suckers

to get exactly what you need.
to get exactly what you need.

But the cool thing is, is that you can do both.
But the cool thing is, is that you can do both.

In this example, I started off
In this example, I started off

having both of these tomatoes as a single stem
having both of these tomatoes as a single stem

and I allowed both of them to split
and I allowed both of them to split

into two main leaders after that.
into two main leaders after that.

The advantage of this is that if you keep it tight
The advantage of this is that if you keep it tight

to just one or two stems,
to just one or two stems,

then you could pack way more tomatoes into your same bed,
then you could pack way more tomatoes into your same bed,

which gives you more variety to grow,
which gives you more variety to grow,

more flavor to experience.
more flavor to experience.

And the other interesting thing about that
And the other interesting thing about that

is that you actually will get earlier harvest
is that you actually will get earlier harvest

and the tomatoes will generally be larger.
and the tomatoes will generally be larger.

But there is the other option
But there is the other option

of not pruning your tomatoes at all.
of not pruning your tomatoes at all.

So let's go take a look at that.
So let's go take a look at that.

As I mentioned, you can not prune your tomatoes.
As I mentioned, you can not prune your tomatoes.

You can see here, I am surrounded
You can see here, I am surrounded

by all sorts of tomato plant material of all sorts.
by all sorts of tomato plant material of all sorts.

And the cool thing about this,
And the cool thing about this,

this is a Florida Weave set up,
this is a Florida Weave set up,

so way less pruning just at the beginning
so way less pruning just at the beginning

for airflow and cleanliness.
for airflow and cleanliness.

But the nice thing about the Florida Weave
But the nice thing about the Florida Weave

is that you get way more tomatoes overall.
is that you get way more tomatoes overall.

They will come a little bit later
They will come a little bit later

since you have a lot more to actually ripen at once,
since you have a lot more to actually ripen at once,

but in the long run, you'll get way more tomatoes
but in the long run, you'll get way more tomatoes

if you don't prune your suckers.
if you don't prune your suckers.

So that's the trade off,
So that's the trade off,

you either get more tomatoes earlier
you either get more tomatoes earlier

or you get way more tomatoes overall
or you get way more tomatoes overall

if you don't remove your suckers
if you don't remove your suckers

- There's this really common belief
- There's this really common belief

that if at time of planting,
that if at time of planting,

you supply the soil or the transplant with lots of calcium,
you supply the soil or the transplant with lots of calcium,

that you can avoid blossom-end rot.
that you can avoid blossom-end rot.

So it's this discolored patchy part
So it's this discolored patchy part

at the blossom end of the fruit.
at the blossom end of the fruit.

But actually blossom-end rot is a disorder
But actually blossom-end rot is a disorder

that is related to poor or inconsistent watering practices,
that is related to poor or inconsistent watering practices,

not necessarily a lack of calcium in the soil.
not necessarily a lack of calcium in the soil.

Most garden soils actually have sufficient calcium in there
Most garden soils actually have sufficient calcium in there

unless you've done tests that show
unless you've done tests that show

that you are very deficient in calcium,
that you are very deficient in calcium,

then that's another issue.
then that's another issue.

But with most tomato plants,
But with most tomato plants,

what they want is consistent moisture.
what they want is consistent moisture.

The plant is actually unable to uptake the calcium
The plant is actually unable to uptake the calcium

that's already there when the soil is dry.
that's already there when the soil is dry.

So the key to preventing this blossom-end rot
So the key to preventing this blossom-end rot

is to make sure that you have a good
is to make sure that you have a good

and regular watering practice.
and regular watering practice.

- This next myth might really surprise you.
- This next myth might really surprise you.

And it's the fact that tomatoes really
And it's the fact that tomatoes really

don't have to ripen on the vine.
don't have to ripen on the vine.

Now I'm not saying pick a green tomato
Now I'm not saying pick a green tomato

and ship it to your local grocery store,
and ship it to your local grocery store,

like tomatoes are traditionally grown,
like tomatoes are traditionally grown,

that's not what we're growing tomatoes for,
that's not what we're growing tomatoes for,

but you don't have to let it get fully ripe
but you don't have to let it get fully ripe

and it may even be advantageous
and it may even be advantageous

to harvest it a little bit earlier.
to harvest it a little bit earlier.

So let me talk about what exactly I mean here.
So let me talk about what exactly I mean here.

We have these beautiful green tomatoes here.
We have these beautiful green tomatoes here.

We don't wanna harvest those at all.
We don't wanna harvest those at all.

Then we have this guy, this guy is about 30 to 50% ripe.
Then we have this guy, this guy is about 30 to 50% ripe.

It's at what's called the breaker stage.
It's at what's called the breaker stage.

So if you remember, tomatoes will ripen quite literally
So if you remember, tomatoes will ripen quite literally

from the center out and the bottom up.
from the center out and the bottom up.

Remember this was the blossom side of the tomato,
Remember this was the blossom side of the tomato,

so this is the oldest section, so to speak of the tomato,
so this is the oldest section, so to speak of the tomato,

then of course the center.
then of course the center.

So when you see it at about 30 to 50% ripe like this,
So when you see it at about 30 to 50% ripe like this,

you can clip it right off and this will ripen up perfectly.
you can clip it right off and this will ripen up perfectly.

And the flavor will not be lessened in some way.
And the flavor will not be lessened in some way.

When it's at 30 to 50%, especially 50% ripe on the vine,
When it's at 30 to 50%, especially 50% ripe on the vine,

you can cut it and the flavor is perfectly preserved.
you can cut it and the flavor is perfectly preserved.

There's not a ton of extra advantage
There's not a ton of extra advantage

to going past that point.
to going past that point.

And the reason why is
And the reason why is

because if I let this guy get perfectly ripe on the vine,
because if I let this guy get perfectly ripe on the vine,

it has way less shelf life off the vine
it has way less shelf life off the vine

and birds, rats, et cetera, more likely to hit it.
and birds, rats, et cetera, more likely to hit it.

So, I mean, you really have to try this to believe it.
So, I mean, you really have to try this to believe it.

It kind of seems unbelievable,
It kind of seems unbelievable,

but I would encourage you to harvest something like this
but I would encourage you to harvest something like this

about 50% ripe, let it ripen indoors,
about 50% ripe, let it ripen indoors,

and then harvest a perfectly ripe one,
and then harvest a perfectly ripe one,

and just kind of compare and see how that works.
and just kind of compare and see how that works.

It really, really makes a big difference.
It really, really makes a big difference.

- This next myth
- This next myth

is going to be an extremely controversial one.
is going to be an extremely controversial one.

So lemme just say that right off the bat.
So lemme just say that right off the bat.

This is going to be one that if you wanna ever believe it,
This is going to be one that if you wanna ever believe it,

you're just going to have to try it.
you're just going to have to try it.

And trust me, this is a myth that I have long fell prey to.
And trust me, this is a myth that I have long fell prey to.

This is something that I believed in a very serious way
This is something that I believed in a very serious way

and would tell people never do this,
and would tell people never do this,

which is you can't put your tomatoes in the fridge.
which is you can't put your tomatoes in the fridge.

That's the myth.
That's the myth.

It turns out that people have actually tried it
It turns out that people have actually tried it

and it's fine.
and it's fine.

So the deal is is that there are some caveats.
So the deal is is that there are some caveats.

Now if you have two tomatoes,
Now if you have two tomatoes,

in this case I have two cherry tomato examples,
in this case I have two cherry tomato examples,

and they are both fully ripe,
and they are both fully ripe,

as soon as it's fully ripe and you put it in the fridge,
as soon as it's fully ripe and you put it in the fridge,

there should be no degradation in flavor or texture.
there should be no degradation in flavor or texture.

Now people did multiple taste trials
Now people did multiple taste trials

across multiple varieties in multiple different areas
across multiple varieties in multiple different areas

and they basically just found
and they basically just found

that simply there is no difference.
that simply there is no difference.

It's the same tomato.
It's the same tomato.

And in fact, a lot of people preferred the one
And in fact, a lot of people preferred the one

that was stored in the fridge.
that was stored in the fridge.

And the reason behind that
And the reason behind that

is that once your tomato is fully ripe,
is that once your tomato is fully ripe,

as soon as it hits that ripe point,
as soon as it hits that ripe point,

it's now on a down spiral.
it's now on a down spiral.

Just like it's before it's ripe, it's not as good,
Just like it's before it's ripe, it's not as good,

at peak ripeness, it's the best, but overripe is not good,
at peak ripeness, it's the best, but overripe is not good,

it just doesn't taste good.
it just doesn't taste good.

So now the important caveat
So now the important caveat

is that if your tomato is fully ripe
is that if your tomato is fully ripe

and you're going to eat it that day, just eat it that day.
and you're going to eat it that day, just eat it that day.

But if it's fully ripe
But if it's fully ripe

and you're not going to eat it that day,
and you're not going to eat it that day,

put it in the fridge.
put it in the fridge.

You have literally nothing to lose.
You have literally nothing to lose.

The next day it could just taste awful.
The next day it could just taste awful.

So I'm gonna go ahead and try this cold cherry tomato.
So I'm gonna go ahead and try this cold cherry tomato.

Tastes like a great cherry tomato.
Tastes like a great cherry tomato.

This is a warm one that I literally just harvested.
This is a warm one that I literally just harvested.

Tastes like a great cherry tomato.
Tastes like a great cherry tomato.

Now there is another thing that you should consider
Now there is another thing that you should consider

is that if you take the fridge tomato out,
is that if you take the fridge tomato out,

you could let it reach room temperature
you could let it reach room temperature

and you still get more of that flavor.
and you still get more of that flavor.

'Cause if something is warmer,
'Cause if something is warmer,

it'll generally taste more like something.
it'll generally taste more like something.

So you could either eat a cold if you want
So you could either eat a cold if you want

or you just let it come back up to room temperature
or you just let it come back up to room temperature

and use it just like you would a ripe tomato.
and use it just like you would a ripe tomato.

- When we look at big, plump tomato varieties,
- When we look at big, plump tomato varieties,

it's easy to imagine that the entire plant
it's easy to imagine that the entire plant

requires a ton of water all of the time.
requires a ton of water all of the time.

And we talked about consistency and yes,
And we talked about consistency and yes,

consistent moisture helps prevent blossom-end rot
consistent moisture helps prevent blossom-end rot

and it helps the plants stay healthy,
and it helps the plants stay healthy,

especially during the hotter periods,
especially during the hotter periods,

but too much water can be a bad thing as well.
but too much water can be a bad thing as well.

So by too much, I'm mostly referring
So by too much, I'm mostly referring

to consistent moisture or watering,
to consistent moisture or watering,

but only at the top level.
but only at the top level.

So if you're going in and only spraying the top
So if you're going in and only spraying the top

maybe inch or so of soil,
maybe inch or so of soil,

that's not gonna be beneficial to the plant
that's not gonna be beneficial to the plant

because the roots are not encouraged to go down deep
because the roots are not encouraged to go down deep

to seek out nutrients and water at a different level.
to seek out nutrients and water at a different level.

So it's not really doing the plant a favor in that sense.
So it's not really doing the plant a favor in that sense.

And also if you're supplying a lot of moisture,
And also if you're supplying a lot of moisture,

let's say maybe you're watering too thoroughly,
let's say maybe you're watering too thoroughly,

too consistently,
too consistently,

then the flavor may get a little bit washed out
then the flavor may get a little bit washed out

and the texture may get a little bit mushy.
and the texture may get a little bit mushy.

And on a related note, if after a dry period,
And on a related note, if after a dry period,

you go in and you water it very heavily all at once,
you go in and you water it very heavily all at once,

you may see the fruit crack
you may see the fruit crack

and that really is the plant
and that really is the plant

and the fruit not really able to handle
and the fruit not really able to handle

all that moisture all at once.
all that moisture all at once.

So that's why you see the splitting.
So that's why you see the splitting.

So the key here is consistent deep watering.
So the key here is consistent deep watering.

And if you're watering in garden beds,
And if you're watering in garden beds,

do a deep thorough water, make sure it goes in a few inches
do a deep thorough water, make sure it goes in a few inches

and then hit the water again, maybe in a few more days.
and then hit the water again, maybe in a few more days.

So stagger it out, don't do daily watering,
So stagger it out, don't do daily watering,

and especially don't do daily watering
and especially don't do daily watering

at very, very shallow levels.
at very, very shallow levels.

However, if you are a container gardener,
However, if you are a container gardener,

your practices are slightly different.
your practices are slightly different.

So make sure you check in on your plants
So make sure you check in on your plants

at least once or twice a day and water accordingly.
at least once or twice a day and water accordingly.

Don't be surprised if you need to, let's say,
Don't be surprised if you need to, let's say,

hand water twice a day
hand water twice a day

during the height of the hot growing season.
during the height of the hot growing season.

And that's because containers have less soil volume
And that's because containers have less soil volume

and less ability to have that water available
and less ability to have that water available

in the soil for the plant to stay healthy.
in the soil for the plant to stay healthy.

And there are a couple of ways to get used
And there are a couple of ways to get used

to how much water is right for your plant.
to how much water is right for your plant.

Some people allow the first one to two inches dry out
Some people allow the first one to two inches dry out

and then they water.
and then they water.

That's a good rule of thumb, but I like to go with weight.
That's a good rule of thumb, but I like to go with weight.

So as I get to know how the plant is doing with the water,
So as I get to know how the plant is doing with the water,

I lift and get used to how much that container weighs.
I lift and get used to how much that container weighs.

And again, mulch is really great
And again, mulch is really great

if you want to reduce that evaporation
if you want to reduce that evaporation

to keep your plant nice and healthy
to keep your plant nice and healthy

- There's 1,000,001 ways to grow tomatoes,
- There's 1,000,001 ways to grow tomatoes,

there's 1,000,001 tips on tomatoes,
there's 1,000,001 tips on tomatoes,

but hopefully this video showed you a couple myths
but hopefully this video showed you a couple myths

that you simply don't have to believe anymore.
that you simply don't have to believe anymore.

I've got a big juicy beefsteak to deal with.
I've got a big juicy beefsteak to deal with.

So I encourage you to subscribe.
So I encourage you to subscribe.

We have a tomato hacks that actually works video
We have a tomato hacks that actually works video

coming out pretty soon.
coming out pretty soon.

Good luck in the garden and keep on growing.
Good luck in the garden and keep on growing.