How To Grow Upside Down Tomatoes
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How To Grow Upside Down Tomatoes
Why would anyone want to grow upside down tomatoes? Aside from the uniqueness of the idea, there are a few advantages to growing them upside down instead to the way nature intended.
- There's no need for stakes or cages.
- Less incidence of damage from pests.
- It frees up garden space for other plants.
- No weeding required.
- It's a unique idea.
- Ornamental value.
What Is An Upside Down Tomato?
Unlike hanging your tomato plants in hanging baskets and allowing the forage to hang over the sides, an upside down tomato is truly upside down with the forage hanging under the roots.
Selecting And Preparing A Container For Your Upside Down Tomato
A 5 gallon pail with a secure handle and a lid is ideal for this project. If you are going to grow a smaller tomato variety like the "Tiny Tim" you can use a smaller pail, just be sure the handle is strong enough to support the weight of the plant and soil.
Cut a two inch hole in both the bottom and in the lid of your container using either a circular saw, or a sharp knife.
Before you fill your container with potting soil you will need to cover the hole you cut in the bottom with something like a coffee filter to keep the soil from spilling out.
After filling your container with soil you will need to place a coffee filter on top of your soil before you put the lid on so that you can turn your pail over.
Cut a two inch hole in both the bottom and in the lid of your container using either a circular saw, or a sharp knife.
Before you fill your container with potting soil you will need to cover the hole you cut in the bottom with something like a coffee filter to keep the soil from spilling out.
After filling your container with soil you will need to place a coffee filter on top of your soil before you put the lid on so that you can turn your pail over.
Planting And Hanging Your Upside Down Tomato
Turn the pail over and with a knife cut a slit in the paper you put over the hole in the bottom.
Use a small tool or your finger to work out a depression in the soil at the bottom of the pail that is big enough to plant your seedling in.
Getting the roots of your seedling worked through the hole will take a little patience.
You need to be careful not to damage the roots or the stem of your plant.
Once you have the roots and a good part of the stem worked though the hole pack soil around it to hold it firmly in place.
If you are going to hang your tomato plant immediately you will need to find a way to secure the tomato until it has developed enough of a root system to hold it's self in place.
It's easier to just leave the plant in an upright position for for a couple of weeks until it's had a chance to grow more roots.
Use a small tool or your finger to work out a depression in the soil at the bottom of the pail that is big enough to plant your seedling in.
Getting the roots of your seedling worked through the hole will take a little patience.
You need to be careful not to damage the roots or the stem of your plant.
Once you have the roots and a good part of the stem worked though the hole pack soil around it to hold it firmly in place.
If you are going to hang your tomato plant immediately you will need to find a way to secure the tomato until it has developed enough of a root system to hold it's self in place.
It's easier to just leave the plant in an upright position for for a couple of weeks until it's had a chance to grow more roots.
Conclusion
For a really different look why not grow tomatoes in pots and put them under your upside down tomatoes?Your friends and family may think you are nuts if you tell them that you know how to grow upside down tomatoes, but once they see the results they will be asking you how they can do it.
by TomatoTom
TomatoTom
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