Growing Tomatoes on a Slope

By Michelle Fabio

If you happen to have a bit of a slope in your gardening space, why not try planting your tomatoes there?

Tony Kienitz, author of The Year I Ate My Yard, says that since tomatoes are “hard-wired” to grow this way, they are naturally quite productive growing on slopes. Also, Kienitz notes, as gravity works to increase sugars, your tomato crop will be even sweeter than usual.

Kienitz, who learned this method from a friend from Colombia where slope tomato-growing is the norm, admits that some of the fruit will rot on the ground, but insists that the bulk of the crop will survive.

Dr. Ron Smith, an extension horticulturist at North Dakota State University, recommends a “gentle, south-facing slope” as the exposure to strong sun would make the soil ready for early transplants and offer continued protection for growing plants.

Watch out for trees nearby, says Dr. Smith, as they may not only shade your tomatoes but also rob vital nutrients and water from your plants.

If you were trying to avoid staking, though, you may be out of luck. Kienitz recommends staking before heavy production begins as the plants’ growing weight can pull the roots out of the ground.

Have you ever planted tomatoes on a slope? What was your experience?

For more information: A New Slant on Growing Tomatoes
Growing Tomatoes in the Home Garden

6 Responses to “Growing Tomatoes on a Slope”

1. Kira Says:
   April 30th, 2008 at 8:01 am

   What a great idea! I never connected all those Mediterranean slopes to the now-obvious conclusion that you must be able to grow tomatoes on them. I am already planning my tomato slope garden on the problem area next to my terrace. Thanks, Michelle!

2. our friend Ben Says:
   April 30th, 2008 at 8:28 am

   Interesting idea, Michelle, and it certainly makes sense! Tucking a straw mulch under those vines should take care of the rotting issue, too.

3. Nancy Bond Says:
   April 30th, 2008 at 10:05 am

   Excellent idea and a great way to use an otherwise challenging part of any yard.

4. deb Says:
   April 30th, 2008 at 3:42 pm

   Good idea. I wonder if I can grown them in the ditch? Probably not:)

5. Compostings Says:
   April 30th, 2008 at 8:44 pm

   Fantastic. I’ve got friends who have a crazy slope at the front of their yard. Right now it’s full of weeds, but it could be full of delicious tomatoes!

6. michelle Says:
   May 1st, 2008 at 2:36 am

   I must admit I felt the same way when I read this–like why did I never think of/realize that? I hope it does give people some hope where they think they have no room for tomatoes or an otherwise useless piece of land

   Deb, give us time, and we’ll find some clever ditch methods as well

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