Contents
If you’re looking for new ways to plant and grow tomatoes, then you’re going to love this article. We’re going to give you some tips on how to plant tomatoes horizontally.
This process is a great way to improve the growth and production of your vegetable garden. You’ll also learn how to do it easily and what benefits it will bring you. So, are you ready to discover why it’s a good idea to plant tomatoes horizontally?
The advantages of planting tomatoes horizontally
There are several advantages to planting tomatoes horizontally. Firstly, this method offers better protection against pests and diseases, as it allows fruit and leaves to be in contact with the soil, considerably reducing the risk of exposure to pathogens.
What’s more, it also enables plants to produce more fruit, as branches develop better when they are parallel to the ground.
Horizontal planting also reduces the need for stakes to hold the plant in place. This is because the roots are deeper and more stable, enabling the stem and fruit to be supported without additional help.
How to plant tomatoes horizontally?
Planting tomatoes horizontally is very similar to vertical planting. However, you need to dig a deeper hole, around 20-25 cm deep and 30 cm wide. The soil is then placed back around the main stem to create a mound.
Once the hole is filled, you can place the tomato in the hole and orient it horizontally. Once you’ve placed the tomato, simply cover it with a thin layer of potting soil.
It’s important to water the tomatoes thoroughly after you’ve placed the potting soil around the plant so that it settles properly and provides the roots with the moisture they need to thrive.
You can then add a layer of fertilizer around the mound to feed the tomatoes.
Tomato varieties best suited to horizontal planting
There are several tomato varieties that lend themselves very well to horizontal planting. Cherry tomatoes are among the most popular, as they are easy to grow and produce abundant harvests in a short space of time.
Grape tomatoes and heirloom tomatoes are also ideal for horizontal planting, as they grow well in this position and offer high yields.
Other lesser-known varieties such as yellow chilies, small green peppers, zucchinis, eggplants, and cucumbers are also suited to this growing method.
Here’s a list of the varieties that lend themselves best to horizontal planting:
- Cherry tomatoes
- Tomato bunches
- Heirloom tomatoes
- Yellow peppers
- Small green peppers
- Zucchinis
- Eggplants
- Cucumbers
Because of their size and shape, these vegetables can provide a large quantity of fruit in a single season, without the need for a large planting area.
What’s more, they require little maintenance and are less prone to disease and pests than some other varieties. Finally, they are suitable for most climates and don’t require much watering.
Care after planting tomatoes horizontally
Once tomatoes have been planted horizontally, it’s important to take good care of them to ensure an abundant harvest. This means watering the plants once a week and providing them with organic fertilizer.
Tomatoes also need many hours of sunlight, so plant them near a sunny window or in a very bright spot. If they are too much in the shade, their growth will be slowed and they may produce bitter fruit.
Another important step is to prune the stems of tomato plants to enable them to grow faster and healthier. It is also advisable to trellis the stems so that they remain firmly attached to the trellis or stake.
Finally, if weeds appear, they should be pulled out by hand to avoid damaging the tomato roots.
Clearly, planting tomatoes horizontally can offer many advantages. Not only does it speed up their growth and ripening, it also improves their health.
What’s more, this method can help you save space and time. That’s why it’s so important to know and apply these garden tips for healthier, more abundant tomatoes.
