Redneck Topsy Turvy Tomato Planter
We’ve all seen the Topsy Turvey Tomato Planter on TV by now. As an avid vegetable grower I recognized the novel approach to tomato gardening and it hit a nerve. With land area at a premium in my back yard I thought that if this really works, I can maximize my tomato crop with this idea.
The price of their readymade product was prohibitive given the number of plants I usually grow so I got to thinking. Below are easy instructions on how to take advantage of this growing method without spending a fortune for the privilege.
All you need are;
A STURDY HEAVY PLASTIC medium sized landscapers pots from the local nursery for about a buck, an electric drill and drill 3/8’ drill bit, an el’cheapo 2” hole saw, 4’ of strong rope, about 6” of soft vinyl tubing, and of course a little duct tape.
First examine the pot from the inside paying particular attention to the drain holes in the bottom. We will use these for index marks for where we drill all the holes. There is usually an even number of them and they are spaced evenly around the bottom of the pot.
Up near the rim of the pot, straight up from one of the drain holes, drill a 3/8” hole for one end your rope.
Using the drain holes as a reference, drill another 3/8” hole directly across from the one you just drilled for the other end of your rope. The pot will hang from these holes so be sure to catch enough plastic for it to hold the weight of the pot, wet potting soil and about 30# of tomato plants! The whole thing may weigh over 50# when the plants mature with tomatoes.
TIP: Do not water these pots until they are hung up on something sturdy, it just makes the harder to hold while tying them up!
Next, chuck the hole saw in your drill. Go back to the first hole you drilled for the rope, and ˝ way down the height of the pot, drill your first 2” hole with the hole saw.
Now, using the drain holes for reference, divide the pot
into thirds and as best you can drill two more 2” holes for the plants to grow
out of. It should look like the holes are at
You should have 5 holes drilled now, two 3/8” for the rope, and 3 2” for the plants to grow from.
Now, we make pads for each plant stem to rest on as they grow. We don’t want them to rest on the sharp edge of the pot as the put on tomatoes so we cut 2” lengths of the soft vinyl hose. Cut 3 pieces, one for each 2” hole. Once cut to length, carefully split each piece of tubing so it will fit over the bottom of each 2” hole to protect the plant stems as they grow.
Planting the pot
Fill the pot from dead center until potting soil runs out of all the 2” holes evenly. This will leave a mound of soil in the middle. Insert each plant from the outside of the pot all the way to its first leaves with its root system higher than the 2” hole by 45 degrees. Stick about 6” of duct tape just above the plant stem and across the 2” hole. This keeps the rest of the potting soil inside the pot as you finish filling it. Repeat the process for each hole and finish filling the pot and hang it in direct sunlight. Water until it drips from the drain holes. Leave the duct tape on the pot, the plant stem will push it out of the way as it grows. Remember that brown leaves indicate too little water and yellow leaves indicate too much water. Also, check the tops of the pots periodically to make sure there is plenty of potting soil as it will shrink when it gets wet.
Added Touch?
Plant Marigold seeds in the top of
planter!
Insects Hate Red and gold
Marigolds!
Finished and Planted
36 tomato plants and 18 yellow
squash plants hanging!