9 Crops That Need Pruning To Produce More (& How to Do It Right)

Although it sounds counterproductive to trim down a plant to get it producing more, that’s oddly just how things work in the garden! 

Many crops can even perform better with a little pruning, and in today’s article, we’re going to discuss them all. You’re also going to learn how and when to prune them for the best results. 

Let’s get right into it, shall we? 

Pruning Isn’t Just For Fruit Trees!

I hear many newbies today suggesting that pruning is only for large fruit trees and not small crops. This couldn’t be farther from the truth! 

You see, pruning isn’t this difficult and complex gardening task that people often make it out to be.

It’s just cleaning up the plant in a way that removes dead foliage and wood, allowing for better airflow and redirection of energy into a productive direction. 

Crops That Produce More When You Prune Them

1: Tomatoes (Indeterminate Types)

For indeterminate tomato varieties, you want to cut off all suckers and lower leaves from the stems to allow for better air circulation and eventually fruit production. You can also pinch the suckers around the base at leaf joints weekly.

Just make sure that you don’t go overboard with pruning tomatoes, as it may severely damage the crop. There should be enough foliage left behind to protect them from sunscald. 

If you’re unsure where to start, this quick tomato pruning guide walks you through the basics step by step.

2: Peppers

Prune the top of your pepper plants once they’re about 8-10 inches tall. Early pruning will allow for denser, bushier plant growth with more flowers. 

You want to remove all lower leaves that may sink into the soil, but completely avoid pruning once fruit sets develop (unless it’s for airflow).

If you’re growing them outdoors this season, here’s a helpful guide to get even better results.

3: Basil

Pinching basil regularly promotes branching and delays flower production. You want to cut this herb right above a leaf pair once it has developed about 4-6 true leaves. 

NEVER EVER cut basil too low or remove all leaves at once, as it will leave the herb stressed and unable to recover from the sheer damage. 

For a fuller, healthier plant, this basil pruning guide breaks it down step by step.

4: Zucchini

When it comes to zucchini, you want to remove the large lower leaves to improve air circulation and spot pests before they take over. Again, there’s no need to strip the plants completely; a light prune should be more than enough. 

For best results, here’s how to prune your zucchini plants for maximum production.

5: Cucumbers (Vining Types) 

Vining cucumber varieties should be pruned starting with the side shoots first to allow for better airflow and to make them fit in tight spaces. Use clean scissors/pruners to remove all yellowing leaves and runners that don’t contribute to any fruit production. 

If you’re unsure where to begin, here’s a complete guide to pruning cucumbers.

6: Beans (Pole Beans)

Light pruning in pole bean varieties can help manage growth and promote more vigorous flower production. Since tangled and overcrowded vines are pretty common with beans, you definitely want to smooth things out with some careful and precise pruning. 

Just avoid pruning bush beans as this particular variety typically won’t benefit from it. If you want a better harvest, these tips for growing more beans are worth checking out.

7: Squash (Summer & Winter Types) 

Since squash varieties have a tendency to overgrow, it may be a good idea to trim them down to improve air circulation around the crop and reduce the risk of mildew. Just be careful when trimming to avoid cutting any important fruit-bearing stems.

8: Herbs Like Mint & Oregano

Herbs like mint and oregano should be cut back regularly to encourage denser, more flavorful growth. It can also help with legginess and other common problems that these herbs typically have. 

If you’re growing more herbs this season, here are a few others that need regular pruning too.

9: Eggplant

Like with cucumbers, you want to cut the side shoots from your eggplant crops first and trim the lower leaves too. Since eggplants are on the heavier side, staking them to prevent breakage after pruning is a good idea. 

Pruning will help your crop direct more energy to developing fewer but larger fruits. If you’ve never pruned eggplants before, here’s a full guide to walk you through it.

Easy Tips For Pruning Vegetables The Right Way

Let’s Conclude

If you’re still contemplating whether or not to prune your vegetable crops to improve their yields, let me make it very simple for you: DO IT! 

BUT…caution is necessary. You don’t want to be reckless and cut back whatever comes in your way! Too many times, I see people trimming their crops out of pure emotion and frustration.

Zoom out and assess your plant properly, devise a pruning strategy in your head, and trim accordingly. This job is much more than following general guidelines. Understand its purpose, and you’ll soon become natural at it. Good luck!