Should you cut back tomato plants?

Question

I am growing Roma tomatoes, and the bottom continuously grow out onto the ground. I heard that cutting tomato plants back is bad, but I find myself constantly restaking and tying up the limbs. Any ideas?

Answer 1

Try trellising.  Put a trellis (similar to a clothes line (GI wire is great)) above your plants then train your tomato plants to grow on them.  Tie the stems to the trellis if you have to.

Answer 2

cage 'em....

Answer 3

No, you don't HAVE to cut back tomatoes but in your case you seem to have an UeberRoma that really wants to grow and has no place to go.  

If you are going to cut back your tomatoes, why not set the cuttings in water so that you can grow more plants?  Tomatoes will grow roots rather fast (4-10 days) and you will have an identical plant to what you cut off.

Answer 4

Have you ever thought of useing a cage for them? Some people have good success with caging the 'mater plants.

Answer 5

..as my father the nurseryman used to say, "I never regretted pruning anything."

sure, cut them back.  I wouldn't get carried away though.  How about just pinching the tips?  I would cut off less than a third.