Q&A for How to Prune Patio Tomatoes

Unfortunately, there's no easy answer to this question. It depends on what your climate is like and how much sun your plants are get. In my area, tomato plants might need up to a gallon of water per day in the peak of summer, but that would be too much in a place where the heat only reaches 75 degrees. Tomatoes don't like to dry out but they also don't like to stay wet. They can get wilt diseases easily when the soil is too damp. That said, you'll have to experiment. Start by making sure your pot is large enough, because a small pot will dry out too soon. Give your plant a good soak in the morning and check it the next day. If the soil still feels damp, leave the plant alone. Don't water again until the soil is dried out 3" below the surface. Continue this cycle until you get a good feel for how long it takes your plant to absorb water. Good luck!

Look at the variety label that came with the plant. It's also likely that if you know the variety name, you could look up the variety online to see if it is indeterminant or determinant.

What you describe is called blossom end rot. It's caused primarily by inconsistent watering and secondarily by calcium deficiency. It is common for container-grown tomatoes, because people don't water their tomatoes often enough.

Yes, you can remove some of the leaves, but remember that leaves produce nutrients for the fruit, so don't remove too many.

Most people use tomato cages to support their tomato plants in the garden. It is an easier solution than tomato stakes.

As long as the pot is large enough, you can plant basil with tomatoes.

You can remove some green tomatoes from a cluster before they ripen if you wish, but it is usually not necessary in a garden setting.

Tomato leaves often curl in full sun, whether in the garden or in containers. It is usually a normal part of their life cycle and not a concern.