Topsey Turvey!!

bid

Deeply Rooted
Joined
Feb 5, 2009
Messages
548
Reaction score
2
Points
151
Interesting experiment. I wonder if the soil will get really hot in those? Please keep us updated with how this works for you. I know I am always looking for more room to grow tomatos and this seems an easy way "go vertical".

Nice looking tomato plants btw...stocky and sturdy!
 

smom1976

Garden Ornament
Joined
Jun 12, 2008
Messages
341
Reaction score
1
Points
94
Location
pensacola Fl zone 8b/9
so have you done this years past or is this your first try .???

I am just wondering because it seems like not enough dirt? but is it if you miracle grow every two weeks?
 

dbjay417

Garden Ornament
Joined
Jan 16, 2008
Messages
135
Reaction score
0
Points
84
this is my first go.

i dont know what difficulties i will face. Not enough soil is one of the problems that i find likely. i guess regular use of chemical fertilizers would be one remedy for such an issue. Maybe i would have been better off planting only one tomato plant in a single hole on the bottom. that would have probably prevented issues with the plastic slicing into the stem when it gets heavier.

Oh well, we'll just have to wait and see now. I think i will post a weekly update. just for fun, and for whatever informational value it may be to others.
 

robbgin

Sprout
Joined
Mar 11, 2009
Messages
1
Reaction score
0
Points
6
I'm handicapped by severe arthritis due to lupus and sjogrens so am looking for an easier way to plant tomatoes this year. Saw the topsy turvy on TV but thought they just wanted TOO MUCH money for what they were offering so am very glad to see the milk jug ideas. I did have one thought on the topic but don't know how it would work since I haven't t tried it.

What about filling up the gallon jug with soil first, (but first put a few poke holes in the bottom for drainage) and then watering to settle the soil down. Fill with soil agin to bring it up to the neck of the jug and water again to settle the dirt down, and continue until it is at the neck of the milk jug. Then, plant your tomato seed, wait for it to sprout, or plant a small tomato seedling and get it settled in and then turn the jug upside down and hang.

Of course, then you would need a larger hole in what was once the bottom for watering. Maybe this would work and it would be a whole lot cheaper than two payments of $19.99 plus S & H. If anyone is good with yarn, you can buy cotton yarn at Walmart and you could braid a holder for the milk jug to it would hang evenly, kind of like the old macrame' from the 60's. :happy_flower
 

setter4

Garden Ornament
Joined
Jul 7, 2008
Messages
440
Reaction score
1
Points
94
I saw the Topsy Turvey at TSC today for $13.99.

My Dad bought me one last year. It was dead in a week!!! :lol:
 

Texan

Garden Ornament
Joined
Feb 6, 2009
Messages
296
Reaction score
0
Points
84
Location
Houston(ish) Zone 9
dbjay417 said:
excuse the mess. thats my work table(stack of defunct sliding closet doors) and i like it messy.

http://c1.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/35/l_7106aec5456c48e9a130d0a24fc86f50.jpg

http://c2.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/61/l_2e32fdab50ad4561873344cbdf187421.jpg

http://c2.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/20/l_8f2940ea6ccc4c7da5dfb49859beb419.jpg

http://c2.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/20/l_b237b3702e154809ae19a17da480ea69.jpg

http://c4.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/1/m_3d30c96d3fef46fd9ce562602f1ee06b.jpg

those are my cukes in the background. they are nearing transplant age rapidly.

I will hang it by the handle in a sunny spot once I am confident that the roots have taken well and recovered from any trauma incurred when being forced into the holes which are actually + and not x.

I do think X would have worked out better though.
It would be awesome ifin you would make this a thread and post a weekly picture. Would ya? Could ya? Huh? :p
 

smom1976

Garden Ornament
Joined
Jun 12, 2008
Messages
341
Reaction score
1
Points
94
Location
pensacola Fl zone 8b/9
I will do the same but I think that I am going to just do one...

but my tomatos are not ready for transplant yet.. they are only like 3 inches tall with two little leaves LOL

and I already have 67 tomato plants started .. I am going to try very hard to restrain myself when I go to the store... :duc my husband has been a very patient man thus far LOL ...

But target has them for $9.99 for one of them.. I aslo saw them at walgreens for $9.99 as well..
 

setter4

Garden Ornament
Joined
Jul 7, 2008
Messages
440
Reaction score
1
Points
94
Southern Gardener said:
setter4 said:
I saw the Topsy Turvey at TSC today for $13.99.

My Dad bought me one last year. It was dead in a week!!! :lol:
LOL! That not encouraging! What happened?
I'm not exactly sure. It almost seemed like the water running down on the plant caused it to rot.
 

Latest posts

Top