How to Make a Hanging Tomato Planter

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By jessert
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Hanging Tomato Planter

It's the latest thing to have a hanging tomato planter, and planters can be bought for that specific purpose. People have been building their own hanging tomato planters for years, so why not build your own. Save some money by reusing some things that you might not have thought of using to build this project, and create memories for your kids - they'll fondly remember the year mom and dad grew upside down tomatoes.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Electric drill
side cutters
pliers
2 1/2 inch hole saw
bucket
rope or chain
wood shims
burlap
potting mix
tomato plant

Step 1

The first thing that could be re-purposed is a bucket - of any kind. I had a 5 gallon bucket of joint compound lying around, empty of course, and cleaned it out with a solution of bleach and water.
Step 2

Turn the bucket over and use a hole saw, I used a 2 1/2 inch hole saw, to drill the opening for the tomato plant. A 2 1/2 inch hole is more than enough room to slip a transplant through, and keep the soil from falling out.
Step 3

Burlap is an inexpensive material to use for the purpose of holding back the potting soil, but allow water to drain through it. Cut an 'X' into the middle to pass your transplant through.
Step 4

Slip some wood shims under the root ball to help support it. Also, the weight of the potting mix on the shims will pin down the burlap, keeping it in place.
Step 5

Next, perform the same procedure again, another layer of burlap - you may wish to use several - and place some shims to help hold the burlap in place. These layers will effectively keep any soil from sifting through.
Step 6

Fill the bucket with a light weight potting mix (a mixture of vermiculite, compost, and some top soil). Top soil can be heavy, especially when wet, and you don't want all your work to go to waste if the chain or rope breaks - crushing your tomatoes.
Step 7

With these steps completed, your tomato plant should be centered in the hole and all potting soil should be held in place by the burlap and shims.
Step 8

I used a light weight chain and some 'S' hooks, available at any hardware store, to hang my hanging tomato planter from. I drilled four holes just under the lip of the bucket, the lip being the most reinforced part of the bucket, usually. Slip the 'S' hooks into the holes and hang the planter in a well lit area that will receive sunlight most of the day.

Comments

spiderchick said

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on 9/10/2009 A little tip: You can quickly and easily PAINT the plastic bucket ANY COLOR you want, to make it more attractive. First, BEFORE you put the tomato plant in, wash the outside of the bucket with dish soap and water or Windex, to remove any oiliness on the plastic that will cause the paint to peel. Then just use regular spray paint. (No need for the expensive paint made for plastics!). Lightly coat the surface, and also spray a few inches into the top of the bucket so that the white won't show. Remember to paint the BOTTOM of the bucket too, since it will be visible when hanging. Do a second coat if needed, but I find one coat is usually enough. Then let it dry well and plant your tomato. The paint will last for an amazingly long time –years! And no more ugly white bucket glaring at you! We use these 5 gal buckets for water and soil and other gardening, and I hate how the white looks...

redar said

on 8/2/2009 Yes, perfect that is what I have been looking for. I am ready to make it and your article is a five star. Thank you
also if you subscribe with me I will with you