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Sloped Soil

Sloped soil that faces south towards the sun is warmer.  This can improve growth of vegetables, especially early in the season.

Research done at the University of California’s Vegetable Research and Information Center found that even a small slope of six inches would raise mid-day temperatures 4-6 degrees F compared to flat beds.  The sloped soil should face south, towards where the sun shines.  This type of slope can be created with a small ridge or furrow.

This information was reported in Growing For Market magazine in 2001.