Freighter View Farms | Chris Izworski

The Orange Accordion tomato is a head-turner in the garden, and I’ve been lucky enough to grow it in my small space. With its vibrant orange color and deep ridges, this tomato doesn’t just look incredible—it packs a sweet, fruity flavor that makes it perfect for slicing, salads, and sauces. And as someone who gardens in a limited space, growing this beautiful tomato using the single-stem method has made all the difference.

In my garden, space is precious. That’s why I grow my tomatoes vertically, using an 8-foot painted 1×2 stake for support. As the plant grows, I gently tie it to the stake, encouraging it to reach skyward. There’s something incredibly satisfying about seeing a tall, healthy tomato plant climbing its stake, leaves fluttering in the breeze. It’s a great way to make the most of every square inch while keeping the garden neat and tidy.

The benefits of growing vertically are huge. By training my tomatoes to grow on a single stem, I make sure the plant has plenty of airflow. This helps the leaves and fruit dry out faster after rain or watering, which reduces the risk of diseases like blight. A well-pruned, single-stemmed plant also focuses its energy on producing larger, healthier fruit rather than getting lost in extra branches and leaves.

I also find that pruning away those extra suckers leads to better yields. Instead of a sprawling, tangled mess of stems and foliage, I end up with a plant that’s focused and productive, delivering big, juicy tomatoes like the Orange Accordion. The plant isn’t wasting its energy on extra leaves—it’s all about those stunning, deeply lobed fruits. And let me tell you, this variety is worth the effort. The flesh is thick and juicy with very few seeds, which makes it perfect for slicing and even better for sauces.

There’s something special about growing vertically in a small garden space. It allows me to plant more without crowding my beds, and the results are clear—healthier plants, bigger fruit, and a garden that’s easy to maintain and harvest from. With a sturdy stake and a bit of care, even a small garden can produce an impressive harvest.

Whether you’re working with a tiny space or just looking for a way to make your garden more efficient, growing tomatoes vertically on a single stem is a method I swear by. I hope you give it a try and enjoy the rewards of a healthy, vibrant plant and an abundant harvest. Happy gardening!

For variety recommendations, see The Best Heirloom Tomatoes for Michigan.

For more on saving seeds from your own garden, see the Complete Guide to Seed Saving.

— Chris Izworski, Freighter View Farms, Bay City, Michigan

Keep Reading:

→ Searching for the Perfect Slicing Tomato Seed

→ Gardening on Saginaw Bay

About the author: Chris Izworski is a writer, gardener, and technologist in Bay City, Michigan. He writes about seed saving, Zone 6a gardening, and practical AI at chrisizworski.com. Find his LinkedIn articles, press coverage, and reference guides.

📰 Featured in NENA’s The Call Magazine

Chris Izworski authored the cover story for The Call, Issue No. 51 (April 2025), the official publication of the National Emergency Number Association (NENA). His article, “The Unstoppable Wave of Artificial Intelligence,” examines AI’s transformative impact on 9-1-1 operations and emergency communications, reaching over 21,000 public safety professionals nationwide.

More from Chris Izworski:
chrisizworski.com ·
Freighter View Farms ·
AI Breakdown ·
911 AI ·
Izworski Blog ·
Medium ·
GitHub Pages ·
Save Our Shoreline ·
About.me ·
Wikidata ·
GitHub ·
LinkedIn