How to Make a Hanging Tomato Planter

Tomatoes are a popular home-grown fruit.

When living in an apartment or condo, there is often no access to a garden and very little room on a terrace or balcony. Even if you have a garden, you can maximize your growing area by growing vertically. One way to grow vertically is by installing trellises and growing sprawling plants like squash and cucumbers on them. Another way to grow vertically is by using hanging planters to grow vining plants like tomatoes, or cascading plants like spearmint or thyme.

Things You'll Need

• Bucket with lid
• Drill with hole-cutting bit
• 1/4-inch drill bit
• Newspaper
• Potting soil
• Large link chain
• 2 needle-nosed pliers
• Low-nitrogen fertilizer

Instructions

1. Remove the lid from the bucket and cut a 3-inch hole in the center of the lid with the drill and hole cutter. Create a 2-inch hole through the lid near the edge to allow watering.

2. Change to the 1/4-inch drill bit and drill four holes in the bottom of the bucket for water drainage.

3. Fill the bucket with potting soil, and mix in the manufacturer's recommended amount of granulated, low-nitrogen fertilizer.

4. Open one link of the chain far enough to slip the bucket handle into the chain link using the pliers. Close the link around the bucket handle.

5. Add the tomato plant to the bucket. Plant at least half the tomato's stem beneath the soil surface. Add at least 2 inches of water to the pot.

6. Gently work the top of the tomato through the hole in the lid. Place the lid tightly on the bucket. Hang the chain from a hook or plant hanger.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't wear loose clothing or hair when using power tools.

References

• University of Missouri Extension: Growing Home Garden Tomatoes; David H. Trinklein; April 2009
• OSHA: Safeguarding Equipment and Protecting Workers from Amputations