Planting tomatoes sideways, a technique known as trench planting, is an effective method for ensuring a robust and productive plant. This technique involves burying the majority of the tomato stem horizontally in a shallow trench rather than vertically. This approach leverages the plant’s biology to stimulate the growth of a significantly larger root system.
Maximizing Root Growth with Sideways Planting
The science behind planting tomatoes sideways centers on the plant’s unique ability to produce adventitious roots. These specialized roots form from non-root tissue, such as the stem, in response to contact with moist soil. The tomato stem naturally contains dormant root primordia, which are cells ready to develop into new roots when buried.
By laying the stem horizontally in a trench, the gardener maximizes the surface area in contact with the soil. This encourages a much greater quantity of new roots to sprout along the entire buried length compared to simply planting the root ball vertically. The resulting dense, complex root system becomes the foundation for a healthier, more stable, and productive plant.
A larger root mass enables the plant to access more water and nutrients, which is beneficial for a heavy feeder like the tomato. Keeping the root system shallower, which the trench method achieves, places the roots in the warmest layer of soil. Warmer soil temperatures promote faster root growth and efficient nutrient uptake, leading to increased vigor and better resistance to stress.
Executing the Trench Planting Method
Before planting, prepare the tomato start by removing the lower leaves and small branches, leaving only the top three or four sets of foliage intact. This strips the stem of all growth that will be covered by soil, preventing buried material from rotting or serving as an entry point for disease.
To create the planting site, dig a shallow trench, approximately 4 to 6 inches deep, long enough to accommodate the stripped stem. Make the trench slightly deeper at one end to create a pocket for the original root ball. Amending the soil with compost or a balanced fertilizer provides immediate nutrition for the developing roots.
Carefully lay the tomato plant on its side in the trench, ensuring the original root ball is settled into the deeper pocket. Gently curve the remaining foliage upward so it faces the sky. Then, backfill the trench, covering the entire buried stem and root ball with soil, leaving only the upward-pointing foliage exposed.
Tamp the soil lightly and water the area thoroughly to settle the soil and eliminate air pockets. Within a few days, the plant tip will naturally reorient itself to grow straight upward toward the sun due to phototropism. This method anchors the plant deeply and provides an immediate boost to root development.
Identifying Leggy Starts and Other Ideal Candidates
Trench planting is especially advantageous for “leggy” tomato starts, which have tall, thin, weak stems resulting from stretching for light indoors. This technique corrects the issue by burying the excess stem length, effectively turning an overgrown seedling into a strong, well-anchored transplant.
This method is also appropriate for any healthy tomato transplant to maximize root structure. The trench technique allows the plant to develop a strong, horizontal root network in the topsoil layer, which is often richer in organic matter. This is beneficial if your garden soil is heavy clay or compacted deeper down, as the roots avoid less hospitable conditions.
If you have a particularly tall plant, the sideways method saves you from having to excavate a very deep vertical hole. Utilizing the stem’s natural rooting ability establishes a superior foundation. This leads to a more resilient plant ready to support a heavy fruit load throughout the growing season.