How Do I Stunt The Height Of My Tomato Plants?

Q: How do I stunt the height of my tomato plants? Every year they grow to at least seven feet high. I would like to limit that to four or five feet if possible. 

A: Next spring when you buy tomato plants look at the tag and notice the words “determinate” or “indeterminate”. Indeterminate tomatoes continue growing all season long and produce fruit on the new growth. Determinate tomatoes stop growing at a genetically predetermined vine length, set a final fruit bud, and then the vine fades. Plant only determinate tomatoes next year and you can set aside the stool you used to harvest fruit this year.

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