I'm thinking about growing my own this year...tomatoes. I'm talking about tomatoes.
I'm liking the 'AS SEEN ON TV' varieties of the plants that hang upside down. Looks easy enough but I've heard nightmare stories that they attract mice, or even worse, mice with wings a.k.a. bats and birds (eek!).
Keeping in mind that I lean to the minor gardener end of the farming scale, what's the 411 on the upside down tomato plant? I wouldn't mind having a few sprigs of fresh basil too but I don't want to push my luck.
Do I go to Ace and get the kit or just wait for the farmers' market?
Comments (8)
Add commentI'm with Vivian
Vivian Lawson Hogue and I have had some interesting email conversations about the best way to grow tomatoes and other veggies in plastic boxes. After a great deal of research, I'm going with Vivian's recommendation of the EarthBox
http://earthbox.com/index.php/earthbox-systems/the-original-earthbox-gar...
Here's a Review
Ms. Overbey, here is a review of the Topsy Turvy Hanging Planter that gives both advantages, but more importantly, disadvantages of using it.
http://howtogardenguide.com/2009/04/08/topsy-turvy-tomato-planter-review...
I remember when Mrs. Hogue told us about the Earth Box and I did a lot of reading about it then, and was impressed with what I read. If you often use found objects, a tall plastic bucket, a large plastic tub, or a laundry basket lined with heavy plastic all work well as planters for patio tomatoes. Whatever you decide to use, however, you will need some sort of stake or cage to support the plant.
Bad results
I tried this rig last summer, i only got a few plum size toe-maters.
Like the article said the thing decomposed after one hot Arkansas summer and at 10 bucks a pop that's a high price to pay for three tiny fruits.
I'll wait for farmers market....
I do like gardening though, its very relaxing and rewarding, even though frustrating at times.
Good luck
I say tomahto.
That is the strangest thing I've seen.
How does a fruiting tomato plant not slip out of the soil under it's own weight?
EASY
Small hole with a foam ring until roots get too big to slip thur
Tried This Last Summer Also
But last summer was NOT the year.
Plants had to be watered daily due to the heat and then squirrels got what few tomatoes made it. On the plus side the pepper plants did OK until it was just to much trouble to water daily ETC.
I have heard of people having good luck using 5 gal buckets put some pea gravel in the bottom inch or so and drill some overflow holes at inch and 1/2 or 2 inches from the bottom around the sides. Then miricle grow soil and an old broom handle ETC for a stake to support and you tomato plant ENJOY.
Also you can use a 5 gal bucket and hang it just like the topsy turvy cut a small hole to get your plant in the bottom use some foam rings to hold the plant in until roots take hold. I would drill some drain holes on the side 1/3 the way up so the roots don't drown after spring rains over watering.
Maybe I'll try a little basil plant in the windowsill for now...
All good info - Looks like I'll remain a produce shopper until I'm ready to spend time each day with dirt under my fingernails - ugh.
With this crazy Arkansas weather, I don't know how anyone knows when to plant anything anyway.
And lately I've heard the farmers' market is still looking for a good place to set up this year, so it's off to Harp's I go.
Thanks
Does anyone call them tommy
Does anyone call them tommy toes?
Just wondering.
Heard that
most of my life...
i most time call them "maters"....
In Northern Arkansas
In northern Arkansas, where I grew up, Tommy Toes was the name we gave to cherry tomatoes. My mother always insisted that we speak proper English because she was sensitive about being called a hillbilly, so we always called slicing tomatoes "toe-MAY-toes," but as an adult, I love calling them maters. (I also am extremely proud to be a hillbilly.)