I have heard that it is OK to remove the lower leaves on tomato plants, up to the first truss.
Can anyone confirm this?
JeremyB
As the plant thickens up, it improves ventilation & makes watering easier. Usually, the leaves are discolouring or curling & have served their purpose by that time. I've just done all mine.
I do this, for the reasons mentioned by Tim ... The plants seem fine.
I will third that. And much later in the year when I am desperate for the last few to ripen, I strip all the leaves to allow as much light and air as possible to get to them!
I was wondering this too as just after I put my tomatoes out we had that cold day with hail and wind and I thought I had lost them. They seem to be coming back and I even spied a teeny weeny tomato on one plant last night! But the lower leaves have gone yellow and dry or just shriveled completely.