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growing tomatoes upsidedown

Gardening Reference » Gardening in 2004
by njoynit on January 19, 2004 07:53 PM
It don't show the picture cauwse copied from my folder.They do in a 5 gallon bucket.I've done in hanging basket B 4 but going to try this this year& guess hang on tree limb...my clothes line is rope around a tree..LOL
I grow marigolds in cantainers tops with tomatoes growing from bottom.it looks pretty and can handle the waterings.I ran into this on an unrelated search...don't ya love them goodies!

Growing Tomatoes Upside-Down

At first glance, this might look like an unusual way to grow tomatoes. But Jim Appleby from Iowa has discovered several benefits to hanging his tomatoes in buckets. First, the air can circulate better so the plants have almost no disease problems. Second, the fruit doesn’t rot as quickly as that on the ground. And finally, some critters that eat tomatoes have trouble getting to the ripening fruit.

To make the upside-down containers, Jim used 5-gallon buckets with tight-fitting lids. He recycled his from a restaurant, but says you can find them many places, such as paint or hardware stores.

Jim scrubs each bucket out with soapy water and makes sure the handle is attached securely. He cuts a 2-inch or larger diameter hole in the center of the lid and one in the bottom of the bucket. To make the holes, he uses a drill with a hole saw bit (an attachment for cutting a door to install the doorknob).
With the bucket standing upright and the lid off, Jim covers the hole in the bottom with a coffee filter or scrap of fabric. That way the soil won’t fall out when he turns the bucket over. He fills the bucket full of a lightweight potting mix, shaking it to settle the soil.

2 in. or larger diameter hole cut in bucket lid for both drainage and watering Established tomato seedling ready to hang

Before he puts the lid back on, Jim lays another coffee filter over the soil where the hole will be. Next, he puts the lid on and turns the bucket upside down.
Jim cuts a slit through the filter in the hole and plants a tomato seedling. To give the tomato a fast start, he strips off the lower leaves and plants the seedling deeply so roots can form along the stem. He places the planted bucket in a sunny location and keeps it well-watered for the next few weeks.

When the plant is about a foot tall, Jim’s ready to hang it up. The bucket needs a solid support to hold the weight. A clothesline pole is ideal. If you hang the bucket from a building, make sure it won’t bang into a window or the siding on a windy day.

This part is easier with two people — one to lift and hold the bucket and one to fasten the chain. Jim drapes a chain over the clothesline post while a friend lifts the bucket. He pulls the chain through the handle of the bucket and fastens the ends together. You can buy chain loops made specifically for fastening or use a piece of heavy wire and twist it to hold the chain together. Either way, Jim finds he can raise and lower the height to harvest his tomatoes

— From Garden Gate Issue 39

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I will age ungracefully until I become an old woman in a small garden..doing whatever the Hell I want!

http://community.webshots.com/user/njoynit03
http://community.webshots.com/user/njoynit
http://photos.yahoo.com/njoynit03
by Lefse on January 19, 2004 08:11 PM
I grew tomatoes in 5 quart buckets last year. [Frown] They grew beautifully, but they need a bit more room than that. The place I had them hanging is pretty windy, and it blew the blossoms off before most could fruit. I will use the same location this year, with 5 gallon buckets, but will use lattice with plastic to break the wind. [thumb] I am going to put peppers in the 5 quart buckets and maybe some other small plants.

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"He who sees things grow from the begining will
have the best view of them" - Aristotle
by plants 'n pots on January 19, 2004 08:16 PM
I had also read about this a few months ago and can't wait to give it a try this summer! The article I had also showed an illustration - I'll have to look around and see if I can find the paper I printed out about it.

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"I'm spayed, declawed, and housebound - how's YOUR day going???"
by AmatureGardener on January 19, 2004 09:15 PM
I'm thinking I will try containers this year. First attempt at growing tomatoes. We eat so many of them....gotta start growing em. [grin]

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by weezie13 on January 20, 2004 02:59 AM
Tomatoes!!
Did somebody say TOMATOES???

Hey, Njoynit!!!!!
I have seen that too... I will look up a picture for you, I have it printed out at home here,
but my scanner doesn't work with my upgrade!! [Frown] [Mad]
But, I'll see if I can find it again on the net.

Weezie

I can taste those babies already!!!

Weezie

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Weezie

Don't forget to be kind to strangers. For some who have
done this have entertained angels without realizing it.
- Bible - Hebrews 13:2

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http://photobucket.com/albums/y250/weezie13/
by plants 'n pots on January 20, 2004 05:18 AM
Here is a link to the article that Njoynit posted above. It has some sketches so you can get the idea.

growing tomatoes upside-down

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 - Lynne's knitting journal  -  -  -
"I'm spayed, declawed, and housebound - how's YOUR day going???"
by weezie13 on January 20, 2004 06:50 AM
That's the exact one I have printed up!!
Thanks Lynne, saved me hunting it down!!

It looks relatively easy!!!!!

I only had one complaint with the print up is....

quote:
To make the upside-down containers, Jim used 5-gallon buckets with tight-fitting lids. He recycled his from a restaurant, but says you can find them many places, such as paint or hardware stores.

I personally would NEVER USE A PAINT BUCKET FOR SOMETHING YOU'RE GOING TO EAT, HARVEST OUT OF....
my own personal feelings, YUCK!!!
Go to any restaurant, most would be happy to give them away, just to get rid of them..
(Peanut oils, Open Pit Bar~BQ sauce comes in it...)

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Weezie

Don't forget to be kind to strangers. For some who have
done this have entertained angels without realizing it.
- Bible - Hebrews 13:2

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http://photobucket.com/albums/y250/weezie13/
by barleychown on January 20, 2004 06:53 AM
Most of the home improvement and paint stores around here carry new, clean buckets that you can purchase... [thumb]

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We do not see things as they are, we see things as we are.
by weezie13 on January 20, 2004 04:34 PM
OH!!!!
I guess, I never knew that Barley!! [Roll Eyes]
Thank~You for the heads up on that!!!
[thumb] [thumb] [thumb]
I don't know if I ever remember seeing those!
Guess I don't get out very often!! [Wink]

Weezie

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Weezie

Don't forget to be kind to strangers. For some who have
done this have entertained angels without realizing it.
- Bible - Hebrews 13:2

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http://photobucket.com/albums/y250/weezie13/
by barleychown on January 20, 2004 06:45 PM
I only know 'cause I have to have BIG clean buckets for horsey-related chores! [Roll Eyes]

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We do not see things as they are, we see things as we are.
by njoynit on February 03, 2004 09:20 PM
Lowes has them buckets for $2 a bucket.

I'm still decideing which marigolds will do for top growing.

I've got 4 buckets drilled& ready& spraypainted white.still gotta figure what will paint on it.If family$ still has those 2 rolls of wall border sunflowers for .10 in cart I will use that and use wallpaper glue overtop to seal.

I may do one bucket with jalpeno peppers out of bottom....just to see how it goes.

Can ya believe I ran out of room in y 36 ft 5th wheel for starting seeds?I'm actually eyeballing the floor now& wondering how much room for walking I actually need if walk carefully.

yep yep yep...thats the exact article kewl huh

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I will age ungracefully until I become an old woman in a small garden..doing whatever the Hell I want!

http://community.webshots.com/user/njoynit03
http://community.webshots.com/user/njoynit
http://photos.yahoo.com/njoynit03
by plants 'n pots on February 27, 2004 06:13 PM
Just got this in an e-mail today.
Looks like the seed companies want a part of growing your tomatoes upside down!

upside down container

I think it's pretty pricey myself, when you can do it with a cheap bucket yourself!

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 - Lynne's knitting journal  -  -  -
"I'm spayed, declawed, and housebound - how's YOUR day going???"
by rue anemone on March 01, 2004 04:46 AM
What a cool idea!!

My tomatoes always grow so wild and end up draping all over the flowers. This would be a perfect solution. BUT, I need something to hang them from.

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by weezie13 on March 01, 2004 05:11 AM
Rue,
One of those sheppard's hooks
you'd hang a pot from or a wind chime.

Got one of those??

Weezie

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Weezie

Don't forget to be kind to strangers. For some who have
done this have entertained angels without realizing it.
- Bible - Hebrews 13:2

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http://photobucket.com/albums/y250/weezie13/
by njoynit on March 01, 2004 04:58 PM
I'm useing a hook that is rubber coated and useing a piece of chain and hanging from porch rafter till I get yelled at.my hanging 5 gallon bucket will weigh with dry dirt and tomato plant and orange gem marigolds at 18 lbs.the hook screws into the wood.not sure about a windchime.it better be strong.with growing in bucket...ABOVE the ground.you ave less bug issues cause are not easy to get to plant so would use a tall shepards hook.
good luck!

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I will age ungracefully until I become an old woman in a small garden..doing whatever the Hell I want!

http://community.webshots.com/user/njoynit03
http://community.webshots.com/user/njoynit
http://photos.yahoo.com/njoynit03
by njoynit on March 12, 2004 08:36 PM
that thar bucket weighs more like 23 lbs& I ended up going with a smaller bucket.believe me it bout tipped me off the ladder going up with it.I'll move it today.here is a pic.in 2004 albulm at bottom.
http://community.webshots.com/user/njoynit

thse jenie tangerines are french dwarfs

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I will age ungracefully until I become an old woman in a small garden..doing whatever the Hell I want!

http://community.webshots.com/user/njoynit03
http://community.webshots.com/user/njoynit
http://photos.yahoo.com/njoynit03

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