How to make an upside down tomato planter.
Spring is just around the corner, and you know what that means…planting season is just around the corner too, which is why now is a good time to bang out an upside down tomato planter. I came up with this DIY technique a while back, which I thought looked much more attractive than one of those plastic bag store-bought versions. Plus, because it’s reusable from year to year, it’s very cost effective!
First, find yourself a large (I used a 12″) plastic hanging planter and a tomato plant. I chose a smaller fruit producing variety. Tomato Chello, specifically.
Using a 2″ hole saw, drill a hole in the bottom of the pot.
Place a piece of fabric over the bottom of the pot. I used a bit of leftover landscaping fabric. This will keep the dirt from washing through the hole when you water. Cut through your fabric a few inches, or enough to feed your tomato plant’s root ball through.
Feed your tomato plant through the hole, upside down, of course. Either hang the pot or have someone hold it while you use one hand to support the plant and the other to fill the pot with potting soil.
Tamp the dirt around the root ball.
For a finishing touch, plant herbs in the top of your pot. I chose marjoram, oregano and Italian parsley.
By the next day, my tomato plant was trying to right itself in an attempt to grow toward the sun. As this is the first time I’ve tried this technique, I’m going to assume it’s normal plant behavior and am awaiting a tasty crop of upside down tomatoes.
Original post can be found at Curbly.
Just wondering how your tomatoes turned out last year? An update might help us newcommers get a start on this years growing season.
Thanks
They did well, and I’ve heard from a bunch of other people saying the same thing. If I’d give any advice, I say, if planting more than one basket, make them different varieties. Also make sure you water on a schedule. They dry out much faster than you might be used to.
Thank you for the directions. I was wondering if this would work for other vegetables also, such as bell peppers.
You’re right..Yours is much prettier than the plastic
sock variety. Everyone is sold out of those anyway.
You should make a few and sell them. I would definately
buy one.
Thanks for the idea.
Thanks! It’s nice to know I’d have a customer, but I’m not the make-and-sell type of gal! Just trying to inspire others to have fun and DIY!
Can’t wait to see if this works. It sure seems easy enough. Thanks for sharing!