Does anyone grow tomatoes "upside down" ?

[Tim.E]

Has anyone tried the "topsy turvy" upside down tomato growing method? Could you explain to me how it is done? Is it a good way to grow tomatoes? Is it less work or more? Have any pictures? I am curious about this method,I might try it this year. Thanks.
Tim

[mmzullo]

I've had a TT for a couple years. I got it as a gift. Really didn't produce any thing worth wild. I've used all types of soil. Miracle grow soil to scotts top soil. I wouldn't waste your money. Just use a hanging flower pot.

[nikster]

Originally Posted by mmzullo

I've had a TT for a couple years. I got it as a gift. Really didn't produce any thing worth wild. I've used all types of soil. Miracle grow soil to scotts top soil. I wouldn't waste your money. Just use a hanging flower pot.

Save your money, & dries out in 1 day, or sometimes 8 hours unless you water 2& 3 xs a day.

I know at least 4 other people that tried it, failure. Nothing worth about.

Did I mention ---------waste of money?

NIK,

[CADplans]

It is tough to beat real dirt!!




Unless you add enough compost!!

[CubNub]

There is a farmer around the corner from me that I get all my starter plants from. He has many of them hanging outside his house and greenhouse. He seems to have them growing every year. The only things he says that he has a problem with is that the material that they are made from tend to dry out from the sun and tear over a few years.

[Tim.E]

Thanks for the replies so far. Cadplans:Nice tomatoes plants!!!

Maybe I should clarify. I am actually not interested in the "topsy turvy" brand planters, just the idea of growing tomatoes upside down in general. I would make my own planters,out of old 5 gallon buckets.
So,has anyone tried growing tomatoes upside down in homemade containers?
Thanks, Tim

[mmzullo]

I've seen a lot of tomato plants planted upside down. My uncle planted cherry tomato plants and did well. I've also seen spackle buckets used. Tomatos really grown anywhere there is dirt

[ab147]

I tried TT tomatoes using a hanging planter, and the plant grew, but after it got some growth on it, it started curving back up towards the sky. I'd rather grow stuff in the ground.

[bja105]

Two years ago I used 5 gallon buckets. I cut a hole in the side of the bottom of one, and in the bottom of the other. Both worked the same.

That much soil dries out too fast. It must be watered every day, without fail. Letting it dry out once stresses the plant and reduces yield. I hung the bucket on the porch fascia, so the bucket was about head high to me. My wife couldn't lift much water high enough to water it when I was away. We like to go away on weekends, so it dried out frequently, and we got very little.

A bucket holds very little soil compared to the garden, and production reflects that. Here is an interesting (to me) paper on tomato roots.
http://www.soilandhealth.org/01aglib...10137ch26.html

With two large gardens (45'x45' and 50'x300') and a small raised bed, I have quit bothering with container gardens that need frequent watering. Even the raised bed needs too much irrigation for me, so it may not stay next year.

[Ozcub]

A lot of people reckon we grow them upside down in Australia !!!!!