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The term “pinching” in gardening terms is one that may seem strange to an inexperienced gardener. Pinching out is actually a form of pruning that should take place among a plethora of plant species. Herbs, tomato plants and geraniums are just a few of the species that respond well to pinching.
Lavender and rosemary can also be pinched out to a more manageable size.
Pinching out is actually when you remove the main stem and force it to grow new stems.
Gardening expert Jane Perrone has explained how to successfully pinch out tomato plants.
Jane was working alongside Mash Direct, which launched a campaign to get people across the country growing their own vegetables and herbs.
She told Express.co.uk that some people find they “panic” about pinching out but it’s actually easier than you think.
She explained: “A lot of people panic about this.
“Basically, it’s all about concentrating the energy in the plant into that main stem to make tomatoes.
“You get these side shoots coming out at a 45-degree angle coming out of the side of the stem, above where the leaf joint is.
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“Where that right angle is, they come out at a 45-degree angle and you need to take those out.
“Just pinch them out with your fingers because they’re draining the energy of the plant.
“That’s a really important thing to do if you want to get your plant to put all its energy into growing.”
Jane explained that you will need to “pinch out” cordon tomatoes which have tomatoes growing off one main stem.
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Bush tomatoes grow outwards and more heavy on foliage.
They don’t need to be pinched out like vine tomatoes.
Jane continued: “If that sounds like too much work you can grow what’s called bush tomatoes and they grow all over the place in a bush-shape.
“You don’t have to worry about any pinching out.”
Bush tomatoes can grow to around two to three feet while cordon tomatoes can grow to just below five feet.
Bush tomatoes are good for those hoping to put them in tins because they have a large harvest.
Mash Direct, is an award-winning “field-to-fork” vegetable accompaniments brand.
The company launched a “Grow Your Own” campaign to encourage more people across the UK to grow their own vegetables and herbs and to increase their vegetable intake to harness the associated health and wellbeing benefits.
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