A convicted murderer has been jailed for fatally stabbing another man during an argument over a vegetable patch.

Periklis Papadopoulos, 67, pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of Andonios Mirstopoulos, 72, in 2011.

The Victorian Supreme Court heard the two argued after Papadopoulos planted the tomatoes in Mr Mirtsopoulos's vegetable patch at a Clayton boarding house.

Mr Mirtsopoulos died from a single stab wound to the chest.

Papadopoulos was sentenced to 11-and-a-half years and was ordered to serve a minimum nine years in jail.

"Your behaviour in using Mr Mirstopoulos's garden bed he had prepared for his vegetables was deliberately provocative," Justice Betty King said.

"You were both, it would appear, grumpy old men, who were intent on being unpleasant and difficult towards each other.

"To allow that unpleasantness to descend to the level where Mr Mirtsopoulos died is appalling."

The court was told Papadopoulos had served 16 years in a jail in Greece for the murder of his cousin during a petty argument.

He served time between 1992 and 2008.

Justice King said Papadopoulos should be considered a danger to the community.

"You are a 67-year-old man who has now killed two people in two separate incidents," she said.

"Both of them over what could best be described as trivial matters."