DIY Topsy Turvy Upside Down Tomato Planter

Who isn't just a little intrigued by the Topsy Turvy? Their commercials make it seem like anyone could grow enough tomatoes to feed an army...just because they're grown upside down.

We didn't set out this year with the intention of having any hanging tomatoes, it just sort of happened.

A few days ago, I blogged about our Backyard Garden. I mentioned that we had 8 Tomato plants and that 2 more were coming. Well, we bought two more, and then went Strawberry Picking...where there were FABULOUS Tomato plants begging us to take them home, so we did. : )

So, we then had these two teensy little guys that would have felt very inferior in the garden next to 9 pretty established plants (most of which are already producing fruit!), so we decided to make our own versions of the Topsy Turvy and see how they do.

The following are Sean's instructions (since he did this whole project!), so I guess this is kind of a "guest post"...but Sean doesn't normally blog, so does that count? : ) Regardless, here's how to whip one up in no time for yourself...

What you'll need is:


*Pot in photos is smaller than the one we actually used.*

- 12 Quart Plastic Pot (we got ours from Home Depot, but you can get them anywhere)

- 1.5" - 2" Hole saw, or some way to cut a hole in the bottom of pot. (Elizabeth suggested an Exact-O knife)

- Black Landscape Fabric (the stuff you lay down in your garden beds to prevent weeds)

- A "started" Tomato Plant, preferably no more than 12" tall. We're using Husky Cherry Reds, but any variety is fine.

- A 2-Liter Plastic Bottle or any piece of thin plastic that is at least slightly smaller than the bottom of your 12 quart pot. (Our plant came in a plastic pot, so we used that)

- Something to hang the pot with (to make it a hanging basket-type plant...or buy a hanging basket pot)

- Someone to help...since you can't put the pot down once its in there. (Or have the location ready to pot your plant while its hanging)

Before you pot your plants in your new Topsy Turvy's, be sure to have a place to hang them. Once they are planted, you can't set them down and they are pretty heavy. 12 quarts of garden soil gets heavy quick! We're hanging ours at the end of our Tomato Trellis (How-To coming soon!) but you can put them just about anywhere...just make sure it gets enough of the recommended sun for your variety.

1. Cut a circular hole in center on the bottom of the 12 quart pot. (Make sure the drainage holes on the pot are clear and open. If there aren't any, drill/cut some into the pot surrounding the circular hole.)



2. Using the 2-Liter bottle, pot the plant came in, or other piece of thin plastic, cut a circle out of the plastic that's about half the size of the bottom of the 12 quart pot. Then cut a circle in the center of that piece that's about half the size of the hole you cut in the 12 quart pot. Cut directly from the outer edge so that there's a slit connecting the edge and the center hole. (This is so you can get the plastic around the base of the tomato plant...it acts as a shield)



3. Cut landscape fabric to fit in the 12 quart pot...you want it to be about half-way up the sides of the pot, but it doesn't have to be exact. It needs to cover the hole you cut and any drainage holes. This is to prevent soil from seeping through, so any fabric would work. We just happened to have landscape fabric. You could use felt, mesh, tulle might even work. Cut an "X" in the fabric directly over the hole you cut in the pot.

4. Attach chain and hooks (or whatever you're using to hang your planter) to the sides of the pot. Use 3 equally-spaced spots on the pot to make sure it hangs evenly. Its a good idea to check and make sure your pot hangs evenly and also to make sure your hanging spot is sturdy. Don't feel like messing with this part? You can get a hanging pot from Home Depot for a few bucks more.



Now for the fun part...

5. Feed the plant through the "X" in the Landscape Fabric, then put the plastic ring around the base of it, on top of the fabric. Make sure the plant doesn't touch the plastic, or it can stunt its growth. Remove your plant from the pot it came in, or follow the directions if its a plantable pot.

6. Here's where you'll need a partner (or hang your pot where its going to go): Feed the plant through the pot, making sure the stem is centered in the hole of the 12 quart pot and fill the pot with garden soil (potting soil has lots of fertilizers). We use Miracle Grow Organic Garden Soil because we like to stay pretty chemical-free. Make sure the landscape fabric stays pressed against the walls of the pot as you fill it. Also make sure to plant it the same as you would in a garden...with an inch or two under the soil line.



Hang it up (if you didn't already) and you're done!

A couple different ideas for this project...
Plant herbs or flowers in the top of your pot, if its large enough.
Use a decorative hanging basket...just make sure it has a large enough hole in the bottom.

*Apparently its normal for a plant to grow up towards the base of the plant like this for a few days...we'll let you know if we find it to be a problem.



If you make a planter using these instructions, please let us know! We'd love to see it!
(and Sean!)