{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"Good Growing","title":"Gardenbite: How to Keep Tomatoes Healthy in Summer Heat: Pruning, Support, and Mulch | #GoodGrowing","html":"","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":697,"description":"In this Gardenbite episode of the Good Growing podcast, we dig into essential early summer tomato care to help keep your plants healthy, productive, and under control. From staking and trellising methods like cages and the Florida weave to managing vigorous indeterminate varieties, we explore practical ways to support growing plants and prevent a backyard takeover.\nWe also break down the pros and cons of pruning tomato suckers, when fertilizing may (or may not) be necessary, and how mulching can improve soil moisture retention, reduce weeds, and support overall plant health. Along the way, we share real-world experiences, lessons learned, and simple strategies you can apply in your own garden this season.\nWatch us on YouTube: https://youtu.be/f89Jy0U8MOQ\nSkip to what you want to know:\n00:57 Staking/trellising tomatoes \n05:09 Pruning \"suckers\" on the tomato plant \n06:08 Tomato fertilizer \n06:43 Mulching tomatoes\nContact us! \nChris Enroth: cenroth@illinois.edu\nKen Johnson: kjohnso@illinois.edu \nEmily Swihart: eswihart@illinois.edu \nCheck out the Good Growing Blog: https://go.illinois.edu/goodgrowing\nSubscribe to the weekly Good Growing email: https://go.illinois.edu/goodgrowingsubscribe\nAny products or companies mentioned during the podcast are in no way a promotion or endorsement of these products or companies.\nBarnyard Bash: freesfx.co.uk \n--\nYou can find us on most podcast platforms.  \niTunes - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/good-growing/id1446630377     \nTunein - https://tunein.com/podcasts/Gardening/Good-Growing-p1187964/  \nSpotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/202u3siWExE1tTqrVgtmCR    \nVurbl - https://vurbl.com/station/good-growing-4pljnNlUtyG/    \nListen notes - https://www.listennotes.com/podcasts/good-growing-chris-enroth-cHLPMWpvEOG/    \nIvy - https://ivy.fm/podcast/good-growing-167902    \nCastbox - https://castbox.fm/channel/Good-Growing-id4302614?country=us","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/R8M4jy-2EktViSJpDBxEJL2IulcAlRJg8ktxlDJM3UA/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS9zaG93/LzQzNDE1LzE2ODk3/OTA0NTktYXJ0d29y/ay5qcGc.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}