As an older man, I ask you middle-aged and older friend, share that trick of memory, share that nifty idea about wood-working or baking, share that tip on gardening. Share them with a son/daughter or s-n-l/d-n-l, a grandchild or other youthful person. (You may wonder if you’ve told them before, simply say, “I’m over 50” and proceed. J) Yesterday AM as I suckered my young tomato plants I remembered my late f-n-l, Carson W Scarbrough. His tip has been a blessing to me for years; I’m so glad he told/showed me.
What is “suckering tomatoes”? The main stem of the plant puts out a rightish leaf and 1 leftish above, etc. (When looking straight down on a tomato plant leaf formation approximates a pie cut in 6 pieces.) Between the leaf and the main stem a plant (in the very crotch) will send up a “sucker.” Using your fingernail – if larger use a sharp-noised scissors – snip that sucker off. (A plant is “geared” to getting big as possible; as its owner you’re “geared” to wanting tomatoes.) You should de-sucker a plant every few days – it will send out more suckers. The fruiting stem which will have blossoms, then fruit, is not in the crotch but higher. Wish you lots of tomatoes – my favorite garden “goody.”
– eab, 6/2/17
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