Topsy Turvy Tomato Planter

The first mistake people make is using a seedling that is way to big.

When you choose a seedling for your Topsy Turvy Tomato Planter you want to make sure that it is very little, no more then 6 inches tall. Any taller and you will put unnecessary strain on the plant and it's root system. Possibly even to the extent of killing the tomato plant.

You'll also have better luck growing a smaller variety of tomato like cherry tomatoes instead of the big beefstake tomatoes because the smaller tomatoes are not as heavy so they won't pull on the stem and roots as much.

The second commonly made mistake is trying to plant your vegetable plant roots first through the hole from the outside of the planter.
You want to feed the plant through the hole from the inside of the planter. Feeding it from the outside in will damage the delicate roots. If you are having a hard time wrap your plant in a plastic bag to protect it from damage.

Also when you plant your seedling you want to bury 3/4 ths of the plant in the soil. It might look a little wilted but it should come back strong and healthy. this will give your plant a strong anchor in the hanger.

The third common mistake is the placement of the sponges.

The tomato planter comes with two sponges that are supposed to be used to keep the dirt moist. Add a third of the dirt, then a sponge, add another third of the dirt, another sponge, and add the last third of the dirt. This will help to keep the dirt evenly moist.

The fourth common mistake is not hanging the planter on a sturdy enough foundation/hook.

The upside down tomato planters can weigh up to 60 lbs. when they are full of dirt and water. You have to have a strong enough hook to hold that much weight or they will come crashing down and ruin your tomato plants.

The fifth most common mistake people make is when watering the plants.

They either have a hard time keeping it moist enough or they have a hard a time not over watering the plant. To avoid over or under watering you should take a milk jug, cut it in half, and poke holes in the bottom. Take a little bit of dirt out of the top of the planter and put the milk jug in it.

Fill the milk jug with water to make a drip system that will keep your topsy turvy hanging planter properly watered. When the jug is empty fill it back up with water.

Another thing to think about when watering the plants is gravity. Water will run out of the planter so you need to have something to catch the water if you are using them indoors.

To learn more tips and tricks on using the topsy Turvy Upside-down tomato planter read Taking Care Of And Harvesting Your Topsy Turvy Upside Down Tomato Planter.

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Pros-- Because the plant hangs upside down the tomatoes will not bend your plant in half so there will be no need to put a cage around it.

Cons-- The branches might still get all tangled up even though the tomato plant is hanging upside down.

Pros- - You end up with more free space in your garden because your tomato plants are hanging up off of the ground.

Cons -- You will need to find a place to hang the Topsy Turvy Upside Down Tomato Planter that can support a lot of weight because with all of that dirt and water it gets very heavy.

Your also going to need to water your tomato plants twice a day because the dirt will dry quicker because it is not in the ground.

I absolutely love growing my own vegetables and not just tomatoes. Not only are the vegetables you grow tastier but they are also much healthier for you and your family.

If you are interested at trying your hand at other vegetable and fruit gardening I would strongly recommend you check out Successful Home Gardening. It is by far the best book I have found for learning how to grow an abundance of fruits and vegetables.

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Pros-- You are very easily able to walk around the plant to pick your tomatoes so that means that you wont have to bend down or crawl around on your knees to enjoy your crop.

Cons-- The dirt can get very hot when the sun is hitting the planter so you need to use aluminum foil around the planter so that it will bounce the sunlight off and keep your dirt cool.

Pros-- Watering the tomato plants in the Topsy Turvy Upside Down Tomato Planter is very easy. Make sure that you are running water through the planter until the water runs clear at least once a week so that you can get the stale water out of the sponges and you don't get mold on the roots.

Another thing on the sponges is that you are supposed to put one of the sponges halfway through the dirt so that it helps keep the soil moist.