Should you plant tomatoes sideways?
Robert Guerrero
Updated on May 18, 2026
Regarding this, why do you plant tomatoes sideways?
Planting your tomatoes sideways, or horizontally, in a shallow trough allows you to dig much less, while also putting your plant in the upper layer of soil. This is where the richest nutrients are found, and the warmer soil helps accelerate plant growth.
Secondly, should you plant tomatoes at an angle? Tomatoes are “adventitious rooters,” which means they will develop roots anywhere along the stem that's buried beneath the soil. Snap off any of the lowest branches that would be buried, and then you can plant the tomato at an angle to maximize rooting surface. Water the plants in well.
Correspondingly, are you supposed to plant tomatoes horizontally?
Horizontal planting, also known as trench planting, works well for leggy tomato seedlings, which often result from lack of sunlight. Dig a shallow trench, pinch off all but the very top leaves and lay the tomato seedling in the ground horizontally, with just the top few inches showing above ground.
Can I just dig a hole and plant a tomato plant?
Just take your hands and gently separate the roots at the bottom a little. They don't need much, just a slight separation. Place the tomato transplant into the center of the planting hole. You want to plant the tomato deep, so only the first two sets of leaves are sticking above the soil.
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