Using the Topsy Turvy Upside Down Tomato Grower - 3 Great Tips For Success!
By Lisa Sliwa
If you enjoy experimenting with cool gadgets and creative gardening methods, the Topsy Turvy upside down tomato grower is one planter you should have in your collection. Since your friends probably won't expect to see a tomato plant growing down from the rafters rather than up from the ground, hanging one of these planters near a patio seating area is sure to be a conversation starter - even more so if your plant is loaded with ripe red fruit! However, there are a few tricks to growing great tomatoes in a Topsy Turvy. Read on to discover 3 tips to using an upside down tomato grower successfully. |
1. Don't underestimate how heavy wet dirt can be! Once you fill up your planter, it has to be lifted and hung high enough to give your tomato plants room to grow down - at least 5 to 6 feet. You may want to enlist a friend to help you get your planter situated overhead, and you'll want to use a sturdy hook and a solid support for hanging, as the bag will only get heavier when it is watered. The pretty and popular iron hooks that stake into the ground will probably not be strong enough to hold your plant without toppling. An arbor, pergola, or porch overhang would be a better choice.
2. Do lighten the load by mixing perlite or peat moss into your potting mixture and only filling the bag part way. This is also a great strategy for helping your plant retain water, as the effects of wind and sun on the planter bag may hasten the evaporation of the water in the bag.
3. Do remember that when you water your plants, they will drip a bit, and be mindful that you have not hung your upside down tomato grower where the runoff will cause any staining of whatever is underneath. Although the water itself is generally not an issue, minerals from the dirt will run off with the water and may discolor cement floors or outdoor fabrics and furniture.
Growing tomatoes upside down will be a novel experience for most backyard gardeners. Many people are delighted when they realize that a lot of the tasks associated with growing tomatoes in the ground, like weeding, are not required when growing tomatoes overhead. On the other hand, learning to use this new method can be confusing at first. If you follow the tips listed above, this easy method may quickly become your preferred way of growing tomatoes at home.
While experimenting with your planter, you will realize that tomatoes are not the only thing you can grow upside down. You can also try cucumbers, squash, and green peppers in your upside down tomato grower. There are also planters made specifically for growing strawberries and hot peppers! You can find these innovative products along with more great growing tips here.
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