Topsy Turvy Tomatos

[ClovisMan]

Anyone have a DIY Topsy Turvy Tomato idea. I wan to grow my tomatos this way. but I do not want to spend 20.00 for the prodcut and would rather contruct something myself. Any help would be appreciated.

[coyoteearth]

Personally, I went to the local bakery, picked up some buckets that the icing comes in, and drilled a 1 1/2 inch hole in the bottom. I placed the tomato plant through the hole, filled with soil, and hung them up. ( I will take some pics and post) They seem to be growing at about twice the rate of ground planted "maters". Just be sure to water them every morning because the soil dries out a lot quicker in the buckets. I used 1/3 potting soil, 1/3 peat moss, and 1/3 vermiculite. This seems to help hold the water somewhat.

I hope this is a help.

Tim

[mcgyver1467]

I have actually. I used large coffee cans. Cut a 1 1/2 inch hole in the bottom center. Use a piece of tarp to cover the entire bottom of the can. That way you don't have to use glue to hold it in. cut a slit across the tarp covering the hole. (tarp holds the soil in.) Drill 4 equally spaced holes around the top of the can. Use 2 pieces of cord (the same length so it hangs straight) tied off in the holes to hang it. Insert plant through slit in canvas on the bottom. Hold plant in place and fill about half way with potting soil. Hang, water,and wait. If you have someone to help it will go a lot smoother.
Hope this helps you out.

[jennworks36]

Yes! I went to You Tube and found 10++ videos on this. I'm going to do mine with Home Depot buckets which are 2.75 each - huge savings compared to the $20!

[jennworks36]

Originally Posted by coyoteearth

I used 1/3 potting soil, 1/3 peat moss, and 1/3 vermiculite. This seems to help hold the water somewhat.

I hope this is a help.

Tim

Where did you get the peat moss and vermiculite?

[coyoteearth]

Originally Posted by jennworks36

Where did you get the peat moss and vermiculite?

I got it from the local feed store, 50 pound bags. The buckets from the bakery were only a dollar each with the lids, and are the 4 gallon size. This will actually hold more than one plant, but I only planted one in each.

[ClovisMan]

Originally Posted by mcgyver1467

I have actually. I used large coffee cans. Cut a 1 1/2 inch hole in the bottom center. Use a piece of tarp to cover the entire bottom of the can. That way you don't have to use glue to hold it in. cut a slit across the tarp covering the hole. (tarp holds the soil in.) Drill 4 equally spaced holes around the top of the can. Use 2 pieces of cord (the same length so it hangs straight) tied off in the holes to hang it. Insert plant through slit in canvas on the bottom. Hold plant in place and fill about half way with potting soil. Hang, water,and wait. If you have someone to help it will go a lot smoother.
Hope this helps you out.

Do you have a picture? I have some plastic folgers cans/buckets but wonder if they are big enough???


Edit: The ones I have a re 48 oz (3lb) coffee cans.

[mcgyver1467]

The ones I used are 34.5 ounces, so thats a little over 2 pounds. Your 48 ounce cans should work fine. Just as Coyoteearth said make sure you keep an eye on the water. The less soil you have the sooner it will go dry.

[ClovisMan]

Originally Posted by mcgyver1467

The ones I used are 34.5 ounces, so thats a little over 2 pounds. Your 48 ounce cans should work fine. Just as Coyoteearth said make sure you keep an eye on the water. The less soil you have the sooner it will go dry.

Thanks, I appreciate it. Water will be no problem. My 4 year old will want to water every day.

[dawg69]

Your 4 year old will have to water them everyday, at least that has been my experience with this method of growing tomatoes. It could be my soil, I'm not ruling that out. Last year I had to constantly water my plants. I'm going to try growing some again this year (third year) and if I don't have any luck, then that's it for this method.

I will share an alternative to one hanging pot. I went to Wal-Mart and got a shallow (4" or so) rubbermaid container. I made a frame that fit around the container then attached legs to the frame to elevate (5' or so) it. I put six holes in the container and planted the tomatoes in it upside down. Aside from the watering issue it worked pretty well.

[oldfatguy]

Much better done with hydroponic systems. It does work real well with long, spindly tomato plants like an Amish Paste.

[Old Philosopher]

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[roncar]

I tried the upside down method last year and must have used the wrong type of tomato plant. It grew downward for a couple of inches then u turn and headed for the sky. Very little blooming and fewer tomatoes. According to my notes one plant was a Carnival and one was a Celebrity.
I' trying something else this year-a version of the Earthbox. Here's a link:
http://earthtainer.org/Home_Page.html
I've made 5 so far and will try tomatoes again. Should help with the Blossom End Rot if I can remember to keep the inner container full of water.

[Wings of Eagles]

Originally Posted by roncar

I've made 5 so far and will try tomatoes again. Should help with the Blossom End Rot if I can remember to keep the inner container full of water.

I had that problem last time I tried to grow tomatoes and was told the reason is too little calcium in the soil. You might want to check with your local garden center for a solution. Mine sold me a spray, but we used it too late to save our crop.

Edit: BTW, you can add water-holding crystals to the soil and won't have to water as often. They release the water as the soil needs it. We've had good luck with it in a planter under our porch overhang.

[Wall*e]

BTW, saw the Topsy Turvy on sale at Home Depot for $9.99 just yesterday...