Here are 9 crops that NEED pruning to produce more, along with why and what to prune for each: 1. Tomatoes Why: Pruning improves airflow, reduces disease, and channels energy into fruit. Prune: Suckers the shoots that grow between stem and branch, lower yellowing leaves. 2. Peppers Bell & Chili Why: Encourages branching and better fruit set. Prune: Top of young plants pinch at 68 inches tall and any overcrowded inner leaves later. 3. Eggplants Why: Fewer but larger fruits, better airflow. Prune: Bottom leaves, side shoots, and suckers once fruits start developing. 4. Grapevines Why: Heavy pruning = better quality grapes. Prune: In winter, cut back 90% of old growth, leaving 12 main canes per vine. 5. Strawberries June-bearing Why: Controls runner spread and strengthens crowns. Prune: Runners after harvest, old leaves in fall or early spring. 6. Cucumbers especially in small spaces or vertical Why: Promotes airflow and fruit development. Prune: Lower leaves, side shoots below first 57 nodes. 7. Pole Beans Why: Redirects energy into pods, especially in dense growth. Prune: Top growth when plants reach top of trellis; thin crowded vines. 8. Fruit Trees like peach, apple, fig Why: Shapes the tree, boosts sunlight to fruit, prevents disease. Prune: In dormant season, remove crossing branches and weak stems. 9. Basil and other herbs like mint, oregano Why: Keeps plant from flowering, promotes more leaf growth. Prune: Pinch off flower buds and top few inches regularly.