17/09/2025
Growing Tomatoes: Upright vs. Sideways Planting
When planting tomatoes, you can grow them upright or sideways. Upright planting is simple and works well if the soil is deep and rich. The roots grow straight down, and the plant stays stable with a stake or cage.
Sideways planting, also called trench planting, is useful for tall or leggy seedlings. You lay the stem sideways in a shallow trench, cover most of it with soil, and leave only the top above ground. The buried stem develops extra roots, giving the plant stronger support and better access to nutrients.
Both methods can produce healthy tomatoes, but sideways planting often leads to a stronger root system and higher yields.
