Topsy Turvy Upside Down Tomato Planter

[Tn.granny]

Has anyone ever tried one of these? I bought one since I can't seem to grow nothing in the yard and yes I have tried. I don't know exactly where to put this.. If I hang it from the side of the garage, I would have to get out the ladder every time I wanted to water it. Would a sherpard's hook hold it? Any idea??

[Hede A]

I researched these for this year and I think I'm going to make my own out of a 5 gallon bucket.

Anyway, I read on QVC's website (I think) in the comments that a shepherd's hook won't hold it when you fill it with the soil and then water it thoroughly.

Also, they mentioned to make sure to use one half soil, one half vermiculite and this will reduce the enormous weight.

I have no idea where to hang my homemade one either!!!!!!!!!!! But, I really, really, want one!

[Tn.granny]

On the box, it says to hang it from the deck, balcony or patio.. I have none of these. Wonder if a clothes line pole would work. But I don't have that either.

[April West]

I got two of these last year for my Mother and Grandmother and they both had great results from them. Make sure you have something very sturdy to hang them from because they get very heavy. The tomatoes that were produced by it were large and it seemed to produce as much as another other typical plant.

[April West]

A shepards hook would be a good solution to hang it from if you do not have a porch or clothesline post. They have them at Menards for $10 in the lawn and garden department.

[Tn.granny]

Been reading about this and it says it could get up to 60 pounds. Wonder if I could put a hook in the side of the electric pole?

[April West]

The more I think about it, I dont think a shepards hook would hold the weight of it.

[Pynk Fairy Wyngs]

Cons of Hanging Tomato Plants

Heavy to Hang - There is a lot of dirt in one of these planters (http://www.dual3.co.uk/uncategorized/hanging-tomato-planters-let-anyone-have-a-tomato-garden/). And after you add water they can get too heavy to carry or put up on a hanger. The best advice is to put just some of the soil in the bottom, hang the planter (http://www.allwomenideas.com/2009/03/07/hanging-tomato-planters-let-anyone-have-a-tomato-garden/), and then add the remaining soil and then water thoroughly. If that's still too much weight, a great alternative is the upside down tomato garden, which is free standing and sits on the ground but still lets the tomatoes hang in the air, it's just not as high.
Watering - The size of the container (http://www.mygardenarticlesite.com/home/home-gardening/hanging-tomato-planters-let-anyone-have-a-tomato-garden/) has to be relatively small in order to be light enough to carry and hang. This means the root system is going to be smaller than a tomato plant that is in the ground. Add in the fact that the root system is exposed to evaporation on several sides, and the end result that in the warmer summer months there are times you may need to water daily to keep a large tomato plant going.
Size of plants - One of the most common complaints is that the hanging tomatoes (http://www.joyful-tomato.com/tomato-garden-articles/hanging-tomato-planters-how-well-do-hanging-tomato-planters-work.html) won't make it through the summer. The reality is that the smaller root system won't support a sprawling large tomato plant when it's really warm. In my experience, the best solution is to choose smaller determinant varieties that won't grow to be huge. When you are trying to grow tomatoes (http://www.joyful-tomato.com/tomato-garden-articles/) on a balcony or patio, that's probably what you need anyhow.


Pros of Hanging Tomato Plants

Early Tomatoes - Because the soil system is open on the sides, it can warm much quicker than tomatoes planted in the ground. Depending on the area of the country, you can get tomatoes 2-4 weeks earlier than those put in the soil.
Very Few Weeds - Since the tomato's soil in an a hanger, the surface area is easy to weed and mulch. In fact, more than likely, by using a potting soil or a soilless mix there will be few native weed seeds to suppress.
Soil Borne Diseases - Once again, because of the soil choices, you can significantly cut down on the incidence of soil borne diseases on your plants. In addition, one way these infect the tomatoes is by the soil splashing up on the plants when they are watered. This is less likely with the plant hanging below the soil in the planter. Finally, the plants don't sprawl on the ground, but are hanging in the air, so there is better air circulation around the tomatoes (http://www.curbly.com/JonBMX3/posts/6208-growing-tomatoes-in-an-upside-down-garden) as well.
No Tomato Cages or Stakes - Goes without saying, the plants simply hang down, and you don't have to wrestle with the whole support system of a cage or staking and tying.
Ease of Pruning - Much simpler tomato pruning (http://tomato-tips.com/pruning-tomatoes.html) with the tomato hanging (http://www.articlesbase.com/gardening-articles/hanging-tomato-planters-make-hanging-planters-work-for-you-460373.html) down, especially when you don't have to tie the plants off.

[cjwo57]

I've got three hanging on my clothesline post--I wouldn't try to hang one on the shepherd's hook--they are HEAVY.
I put mine out too late last year, so I didn't have fantastic results, but I still was able to grow some decent tomatoes and cucumbers.

If you don't care what they look like, these pages have some instructions on making your own:
http://jas.familyfun.go.com/arts-and-crafts?page=CraftDisplay&craftid=11704
http://www.househacker.com/permanent/Make-Your-Own-Topsy-Turvy-Tomato-Planter

[mommaluke]

when do you plant using this technique? Is it too early?

[Tn.granny]

end of April, first of May.

[momof3boys]

I had one last year for green peppers. It was doing great until a storm broke my plant. I hung it off of my clothes line. It might work off of a utility pole if you put a very large hook screw(?) in it. I'm going to try it again this year.

[momof3boys]

oh yeah. Has anyone grown cucumbers on a treles (?). I love cucumbers but don't want to mess with the vines all over the yard.

[Tn.granny]

Is anyone having problems with bugs on their plants? I was going to put 7 dust on it but if it is hanging upside down, how will the dust stay on it?

[momof3boys]

I think they make a spray.

[mommaluke]

spray the plants with water first then apply the dust. I dont have any bugs yet, dont know if my plants are going to make it or not. Some of the leaves have brown edges, some of them are yellow. too much water? not enough water? whats the deal???

[Tn.granny]

Mine look great and are starting to have blooms..are you watering in the morning or at night? Better to water in the a.m,

[mommaluke]

well granny, guess you are just going to have to bring me some of yours!!!:D

[JaMopar]

I bought my Topsy Turvys this year, and DH built me a structure to hang them on, but if anyone wants to make their own, you can find several sets of instructions for making your own on Google, and all you need is tape and a 2-liter soda bottle. Just search for "Topsy Turvy 2-liter soda bottle." Can't wait til my tomatoes and pepper starting growing. Yum.

[Sparky]

Has anyone ever tried one of these? I bought one since I can't seem to grow nothing in the yard and yes I have tried. I don't know exactly where to put this.. If I hang it from the side of the garage, I would have to get out the ladder every time I wanted to water it. Would a sherpard's hook hold it? Any idea??



add a piece of chain sis and get it down where you need it

[Tn.granny]

Hey Sparky,
I got it down low enough that I can reach it but high enough it shouldn't touch the ground as it grows..this thing is amazing. I think it doubled over night. I used organic potting soil with fertilizer mixed in. The only problem I am having is it is growing up instead of down!

[Sparky]

Hey Sparky,
I got it down low enough that I can reach it but high enough it shouldn't touch the ground as it grows..this thing is amazing. I think it doubled over night. I used organic potting soil with fertilizer mixed in. The only problem I am having is it is growing up instead of down!


Lex and I buried 5 gallon buckets in the ground this year and put in top soil to see if we can get them to grow. With all this sand its hard to get anything to grow. I over fertilized 4 of them so they died. I'm going to get some to replace them so we can still have cherry tomatoes. If I ever get this yard leveled out I will put some real effort into a garden. let me know if hanging plants work out good then I may try that and wont have to buy a bunch a peat moss and till it in the ground so something will grow.

[Hede A]

You could do square foot gardening if you had a flat area 4FT by 4FT square!

It's easy! And cheap! NO DIGGING!

And you don't even have to purchase the book. Just read all the intructions on the website!

Good night you love the smell of wood make yourself some boxes and get to planting some seeds/tomatoes or whatever!

[momof3boys]

I have planted tomatoes, cucumbers, okra, and bell peppers in 5 gallon buckets this year. I have a patio tomato plant in a plastic pot (maybe 3 gallon) and it's probably 3.5 feet tall with 8 tomatoes already on it and blooms everywhere. I was really surprised to see it take off like it did.

[Tn.granny]

Why are my tomatoes turning red on top and black and soft on bottom? Too much water? Not enough water? Any advise?

[JaMopar]

Why are my tomatoes turning red on top and black and soft on bottom? Too much water? Not enough water? Any advise?

If you figure out why, please let me know, because mine are doing the same thing. :(

[momof3boys]

Mine did the same also. I came to the conclusion that it was blossom end rot. If you look it up the pictures that they showed looked just like my tomatoes did. After the first three ripened, the next few have been ok.

[Tn.granny]

momof3boys, how often do you water your tomatoes? Did you do anything to get rid of blossom rot?

[Sybil Niemann]

The condition described is called blossom end rot. It can occur on green tomatoes as well as red ones. I have neat little book that tells all about this problem. Unfortunately, I can't find it right now! A quick internet search of blossom end rot turned up several references, but I'll leave it to you all to pick the ones you want to read.

[mommaluke]

I have a couple blossoms but no tomatos yet :(

[Sybil Niemann]

Same here, momma.

[mudface]

a little lime will stop blossom end rot you ph is to much on the acid side egg shells will work to but they take longer to brake down

[Sybil Niemann]

Yeah, one of the articles I looked at mentioned calcium deficiency as a cause of blossom end rot, and that would be lime, as mudface suggests. I have wondered, mudface, about running eggshells through a blender to get to the calcium faster. I used to throw eggshells into my compost bin, but quit that when they would not break down. So, I may try putting them through the blender. What do you think?

[momof3boys]

I water mine everyday, but they are in containers. I've read the same thing mudface said to do. However, I didn't put any lime on mine and they seemed to of came out of it.

[Sybil Niemann]

How many of you have ripe tomatoes already?

[Hede A]

I have had one yellow tomato and one red! MMM Good!

[momof3boys]

4 That didn't have blossom end rot. They were so good on bacon sandwiches. I have one I will be picking tomorrow and lots of green ones.

[Tn.granny]

Finally picked my first tomato that didn't have rot on the bottom.. I am just so proud of me! Only had 2 bloom before my plant died. That is 2 more then I got last year planting them in the ground..

[Topsy Kretts]

Finally picked my first tomato that didn't have rot on the bottom.. I am just so proud of me! Only had 2 bloom before my plant died. That is 2 more then I got last year planting them in the ground..

Only one? Awe man.. Guess that is better than none though! I may have to try one of these next year..I'm getting better at keeping plants alive, maybe I can keep a tomato plant alive? LOL