Upside-down Tomato Planter

Creating a Homemade Upside down Tomato Planter.

When you have a small area , an upside-down tomato planter may just be the way to grow your home grown tomatoes. It is also good for folks that love the unique creation and want something a little different for their garden.

These patio planters are unique and easy to make. To learn how to make an upside-down tomato planter, just follow the directions below.

You will need a five-gallon bucket with a lid and a strong place to hang it by the handle. The bucket is available at any hardware or if you know a painter or remodeler, see if they have a paint bucket or drywall bucket that they can give you. Many times, they accumulate so many they will be glad you asked. A 40-pound sack of planting soil is enough to fill the bucket. The final thing you need is a good strong pole where you can hang it.

Before you start hanging your tomato planter, take the tomato plant out of the container and submerge the root ball in manure tea or any other fertilizer you choose. Cut a three -inch hole in the bottom of the bucket and in the lid with a utility knife. Line the bottom of the bucket with a newspaper to cover the hole. Fill the bucket with potting soil up to the top and put on a layer of newspaper on the top. The newspaper keeps the soil inside until you’re ready to flip the container. Some people like to use a coffee filter to cover the hole. Flip over the bucket so the bottom is exposed.

Make an X with the blade of the utility knife and create a cavity to plant a seedling. You should always pinch off the bottom and plant the seedling below so it develops a more substantial root system. Let it sit and grow for a week or two, to both overcome transplant shock and get a firm root system. Then simply hang it upside down by the handle on your pole in a sunny location. Water it on a daily basis through the top since it dries easily.

Make Your Own Upside down Tomato Planter for Larger plants

This method of making an upside-down tomato planter is great for seedlings and very small plants. If you have a larger plant, use a flat piece of plastic from a detergent bottle to create a holder for the larger plant. Simply cut it smaller than the bottom of the container and put a rounded V on one side. This holds the plant in place and keeps the dirt in. Insert the plant in through bottom hole; butt the plastic retainer piece against the stem so it covers the hole at the bottom . Fill the bucket with soil, put the lid on the top and hang the quaint patio planter on the pole. Be aware that when you make your upside-down tomato planter this way, you have to support it without damaging the plant, while you fill it with soil.

No matter which way you choose, your upside-down tomato planter gives you more air circulation, fewer disease problems and less pests. Choose a bush type of tomato for the hanging tomato planter. Pinch off the stems so you only have about six shoots and when the plant develops fruit, use mesh netting to support them. This is a fun way to grow tomatoes, particularly if you have a limited garden area.

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