Upside-down Tomatoes?

Ok, I admit that I'm a bit of a victim of advertising, but the idea of growing tomato plants upside down seems to make some sense to me. I am so not a gardener, and made my first attempt last year. I had a brazillion pepper plants, and not many peppers. I had 3 tomato plants, and the squirrels got almost all of them. I also had a time staking them. I will definitely cage the tomatoes this year, but any thoughts on growing them upside-down? I seems to make sense to me, but like I said, I'm no gardener. Would appreciate input!

Kim,

I'm dubious, but the 80 year old produce- stand owner we met outside Destin was growing several that way in 10 gallon plastic buckets ( no fancy equipment)- so I have to think there is something to it...

I am a gardener and personally, if you struggled with gardening before, I'd try growing tomatoes in self watering containers, before I tried the upside down thing. It relieves alot of the work, you control your soil and fertilizing, critters don't bother it (close to your house) and it gives you a great sense of accomplishment for little work. Check out http://www.gardenersupply.com. I've been using their products for over 15 years and I really trust their products.

Deb

I bought one of those topsy turvy thingy's..... I will let you know!

Ok, I admit that I'm a bit of a victim of advertising, but the idea of growing tomato plants upside down seems to make some sense to me. I am so not a gardener, and made my first attempt last year. I had a brazillion pepper plants, and not many peppers. I had 3 tomato plants, and the squirrels got almost all of them. I also had a time staking them. I will definitely cage the tomatoes this year, but any thoughts on growing them upside-down? I seems to make sense to me, but like I said, I'm no gardener. Would appreciate input!

Kim,

I am an avid gardener and will be trying this technique this year. I'll let you know how it goes. A technique for the more traditional gardener: Dig a big hole, fill it full of manure and bury your entire plant except for the top leaves (e.g. 12 inch plant, bury it 10 inches deep). The stalks become MUCH stronger using this method and the plant is not so susceptible to lack of water. For apartment dwellers or folks with limited growing area make sure you buy a variety that is "determinate" (bushy) as opposed to IN-determinate (vine like). John Hagan carries both determinate and indeterminate varieties.

My Dad did the upside down thing last year and is going to do it again this year. He got big plastic paint buckets with handles; drilled a hole in the bottom to put the plant through and hung them on hooks from the eaves in a courtyard. He puts a ceramic dinner plate inverted on the top of everything, after he planted and filled with dirt. Plate needs to be slightly smaller than the diameter of the bucket. Plate helps keep moisture in, maintain the integrity of the shape of the bucket, but small enough that water gets in.

When the vine gets going, you need to weight it down. I think he used a piece of brick and a string. You need to water daily. His 4 buckets kept 3 families in tomatoes all season.

Deb mentioned Gardeners Supply and their current catalog has some cool upside down contraptions on their cover. Almost bought some for Dad but he likes being cheap with his buckets!

I have talked to a few of my customers that have done this, and the general opinion is that it does work "OK" as long as you water religiously. Due to the fact that the bucket has very little room to hold water or nutrients, you must water and fertilize basically every day, sometimes twice a day. When the tomatoes go thru repeated periods of drying out followed by heavy watering they tend to crack and split. This is also compounded by the tomatoes susceptibility to calcium deficiency which is more likely to occur in a small growing space. Its pretty much a hydroponic system at that point,with the compacted, root bound soil in the bucket being little more than a carrier for the liquid nutrients you supply. I can see something like this being fair for somebody who only has a small patio/balcony to work with. This also might be an advantage for somebody who is physically handicapped as the harvesting might be easier. Overall though I tend to lump this in with many useless kitchen/household products offered on infomercial TV(the worst being that PastaExpress thing,really? put your pasta in a tupperwear and dump boiling water on it?? WTF). Anyway, I digress...I wouldnt recommend the bucket thing unless you just want to try something different. A large pot on the patio will do the same thing....better yet put those guys in the ground and feed with a good organic fertilizer.

I have talked to a few of my customers that have done this, and the general opinion is that it does work "OK" as long as you water religiously. Due to the fact that the bucket has very little room to hold water or nutrients, you must water and fertilize basically every day, sometimes twice a day. When the tomatoes go thru repeated periods of drying out followed by heavy watering they tend to crack and split. This is also compounded by the tomatoes susceptibility to calcium deficiency which is more likely to occur in a small growing space. Its pretty much a hydroponic system at that point,with the compacted, root bound soil in the bucket being little more than a carrier for the liquid nutrients you supply. I can see something like this being fair for somebody who only has a small patio/balcony to work with. This also might be an advantage for somebody who is physically handicapped as the harvesting might be easier. Overall though I tend to lump this in with many useless kitchen/household products offered on infomercial TV(the worst being that PastaExpress thing,really? put your pasta in a tupperwear and dump boiling water on it?? WTF). Anyway, I digress...I wouldnt recommend the bucket thing unless you just want to try something different. A large pot on the patio will do the same thing....better yet put those guys in the ground and feed with a good organic fertilizer.

John,

You convinced me not to mess with this...I don't have time to water twice a day. Thanks for the post.

I'll vouch for growing tomatoes, particularly the smaller ones like grape and pear, in self-watering planters. I've done them for years along, with tomaotoes in my raised beds. I put them right outside my kitchen door where I can grab a hand-full for salads and the kids help themselves .Sara has eaten them like apples since she was a toddler- Aiden's still not convinced.

I bought a really great new book this year on vegetable gardening in self-watering containers. Extremely well-written and appropriate for everyone from beginners to experience gardeners ( I learned quite a few things, and you know me...I think I know everything ) He suggests that a number of veggies actually grow BETTER in s-w containers than in the garden, so I've substantially increased my container veggies this year to check it out. I'm already harvesting lettuces for salads...

The book is: Incredible Vegetables from Self-Watering Containers by Edward C. Smith (Paperback - Jan 1, 2006) http://www.amazon.com/Incredible-Vegeta ... 254&sr=1-1


Deb

Is the upside down tomato thing a self waterer? I thought otherwise. I will agree, I have seen some good results with self waterers.

No, John, it's not ( or at least I haven't seen one that is). . I had recommended self-watering containers in lieu of trying the upside-down thing.

Deb

My Dad did the upside down thing last year and is going to do it again this year. He got big plastic paint buckets with handles; drilled a hole in the bottom to put the plant through and hung them on hooks from the eaves in a courtyard. He puts a ceramic dinner plate inverted on the top of everything, after he planted and filled with dirt. Plate needs to be slightly smaller than the diameter of the bucket. Plate helps keep moisture in, maintain the integrity of the shape of the bucket, but small enough that water gets in.

When the vine gets going, you need to weight it down. I think he used a piece of brick and a string. You need to water daily. His 4 buckets kept 3 families in tomatoes all season.

Deb mentioned Gardeners Supply and their current catalog has some cool upside down contraptions on their cover. Almost bought some for Dad but he likes being cheap with his buckets!

That's genious!!!!

I'll vouch for growing tomatoes, particularly the smaller ones like grape and pear, in self-watering planters. I've done them for years along, with tomaotoes in my raised beds. I put them right outside my kitchen door where I can grab a hand-full for salads and the kids help themselves .Sara has eaten them like apples since she was a toddler- Aiden's still not convinced.

I bought a really great new book this year on vegetable gardening in self-watering containers. Extremely well-written and appropriate for everyone from beginners to experience gardeners ( I learned quite a few things, and you know me...I think I know everything ) He suggests that a number of veggies actually grow BETTER in s-w containers than in the garden, so I've substantially increased my container veggies this year to check it out. I'm already harvesting lettuces for salads...

The book is: Incredible Vegetables from Self-Watering Containers by Edward C. Smith (Paperback - Jan 1, 2006) http://www.amazon.com/Incredible-Vegeta ... 254&sr=1-1


Deb

I always value your opinion, Deb, and will check out that book (already bought Irena Chalmer's 'Food Jobs' book! Great suggestion!!!!!!!!!)