How to Grow Tomatoes Upside Down in a 5-Gallon Bucket
Tomatoes are aggressive plants that can grow to 8 feet tall in some varieties. That growth attracts pests and soil-borne diseases, and also requires support from a trellis or arbor. Many people grow their tomatoes in hanging gardens, to eliminate pests and diseases, while some people go one step further with upside-down planters, which eliminate the need for a support system. Instead of buying an expensive premanufactured upside-down planter, build your own with things you may already have sitting around: a bucket, a drill and some twine. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Drill
- Quick-draining potting soil
- Organic compost
- Fertilizer
- Twine
- Hook
- Bucket
- Scoop
Instructions
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1
Drill a hole in the bottom of your bucket for the tomato to grow through. This hole should be 1 to 2 inches in diameter, to give the plant room while holding the soil in.
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2
Hang the bucket at hand-to-shoulder level before you start, for easier maneuvering. Use twine wrapped around the handle to attach the bucket to a hook on your patio, or hang the bucket using its handle only.
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3
Mix equal parts quick-draining soil and organic compost in a second bucket to produce a rich, nutritious base for the tomato seedling. Mix 6-24-24 or 8-32-16 fertilizer into the soil to encourage root growth.
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4
Insert the tomato seedling foliage-first through the hole in the bottom of the bucket, so that its roots are in the bucket and its leaves hang down. Use a scoop to transfer soil from your bucket to the upside-down planter. Continue transferring soil until the bucket is three-fourths full.
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5
Water the soil with 1 gallon of water to moisten the entire base, then hang your upside-down tomato planter in its permanent location. Water the tomatoes from the top of the planter with 1/2 gallon of water every week, since the water must now sink down to the roots through the entire bucket.
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