Tomatoes can be planted outside in June thanks to the warmer days, nights and no risk of frost. June is a crucial month for tomatoes as they start to produce fruit for the rest of the season. In order to achieve the best crop possible, Monty Don recommended pinching out the side shoots.

These are the small shoots which form between the leaves and the stem, known as side shoots. While these stems will eventually produce fruit, they can make the crop leggy and less tasty.

In a blog post from last year, Monty wrote: “They [side shoots] grow with extra vigour and although they do bear trusses of fruit, they take energy from the plant and reduce the overall harvest as well as making a cordon plant straggly.

“So they should be removed as they appear. The best way to do this is in the morning when the plant is turgid, simply breaking them off with a finger and thumb.

“However, in the evening they will be limper and may tear the plant, so it should be cut off with a knife.”

It is important to note that bush tomatoes do not need this type of pruning, only cordon varieties.

Gardeners should also be careful not to make other common mistakes, as they could end up with no fruit.

This includes not feeding tomatoes, which may deprive them of essential nutrients they need to grow.

The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) said: “To boost fruiting, especially with plants in containers, feed every 10 to 14 days with a high potassium liquid fertiliser once the first fruits start to swell.”

Avoid over-feeding them too, as this can cause problems, so make sure to refer to the bottle or packet first.

It’s also important to stake large cordon varieties as they continue to grow to prevent them from snapping and falling over.

Simply use a stake and string to guide the plant around. Bush tomatoes may benefit from a short central stake, too.

Make sure to keep them in full sunlight, around six hours per day and keep the soil moist too in order to achieve “trusses of fruit”.