How To Make An Upside Down Tomato Planter

By DIY Maven

Have you heard the buzz about these upside down tomatoes? You can buy pricey containers and plastic bags in an effort to try this inverted growing technique, but here’s a really inexpensive and, I think, more attractive method than the other DIY how-to’s I’ve seen.

First, find yourself a large (I used a 12") plastic hanging planter and a tomato plant. I chose a smaller fruit producing variety. Tomato Chello, specifically.

Using a 2" hole saw, drill a hole in the bottom of the pot.

Place a piece of fabric over the bottom of the pot. I used a bit of leftover landscaping fabric. This will keep the dirt from washing through the hole when you water. Cut through your fabric a few inches, or enough to feed your tomato plant’s root ball through.

Feed your tomato plant through the hole, upside down, of course. Either hang the pot or have someone hold it while you use one hand to support the plant and the other to fill the pot with potting soil.

Tamp the dirt around the root ball.

For a finishing touch, plant herbs in the top of your pot. I chose marjoram, oregano and Italian parsley.

By the next day, my tomato plant was trying to right itself in an attempt to grow toward the sun. As this is the first time I’ve tried this technique, I’m going to assume it’s normal plant behavior and am awaiting a tasty crop of upside down tomatoes.

Tagged:
gardening inverted tomato

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May 18, 2007

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Alice Donut

June 25, 2008

Heh, thank you. That's the real Alice Donut (obv not the band, but a feline with a like name), watching TV.

DIY Maven

June 25, 2008

Glad you like it Alice! Love your profile pic!

Alice Donut

June 25, 2008

I'm totally going to do this! I'll post pix when it's done!

djzman

March 28, 2008

There is another way to make this too. i have http://upsidedowntomatoplant.com/ its spam free.

and another DIY project for upside down tomato plants. Iv been making them since the 80's. in Wisconsin. first learned about it from the FFA

DIY Maven

March 26, 2008

Alishye--They look GREAT!! I'm so glad you liked the tutorial and wish you a healthy crop of everything!!!!

Alishye

March 26, 2008

Thank you for your DIY upside down tomato planter. It is the cheapest, most attractive one I've seen online. I planted two with Bush Celebrity Tomatoes and a third one (the one in the middle) planted with Jalapenos. I planted Thai Basil, Italian Parsley, Purple Sage, Sweet Woodruff, Italian Oregano, and Sweet Basil in the top of the planter. I realized that my pots are hanging a too low, so I have to shorten the cord, but I think they came out pretty good! Can't wait to see if my tomaotes and jalapenos will grow good upside down!

Thank you so much for your How-To Guide!

created on: 03/26/08

DIY Maven

June 19, 2007

Dear wordswinker,

I have no clue. Since my last update I have about 4 additional tomatoes on the hanging plant--still nothing on the upright one. I'm looking forward to seeing the difference as they ripen as well! (And welcome to Curbly!)

wordswinker

June 19, 2007

Dear Mave,

Any idea what the theory behind your robust (I saw the later post) tomahtow? Perhaps gravity plays a role after it's over its phototropic phase. What do you think?

DesigningMom

June 08, 2007

WOW awesome! Do you have any new pictures of it to share? I'd love to see how it's doing.

DIY Maven

May 18, 2007

Thanks Caya. I haven't seen the pop bottle idea, but I have seen the plastic bag and five gallon pail conversion--both not the most attractive diy's!

Caya123

May 18, 2007

That looks a lot nicer than the 2-liter bottle arrangement I saw before. Good idea!! Thanks!!