How To Grow Upside Down Tomatoes

In recent years growing tomatoes upside down has became a really popular way to enjoy sweet vine ripened tomatoes. It’s an ideal choice for anyone that has limited space. Because the tomatoes are grown in a hanging container, you can grow them almost anywhere. While you can purchase upside down tomato kits, you can easily make your own for free.

When you are choosing tomato plants, bear in mind that you need to use the smaller varieties that are suitable for growing in a container. Choose healthy plants that are well established and about 6 inches tall. Avoid plants that blooms or fruit. While it might seem like plants that have already started to produce fruit might give you a earlier yield, it actually might delay harvest.

Choose a bucket or container based on how large the variety of tomato you choose grows. You need a sturdy bucket that has a good, strong handle. Use a drill, or sharp knife to make a hole in the bottom of the bucket that is about 2 inches in diameter. Set the bucket on a structure that allows the hole to be exposed.

You will then need some type of material to hold the plant in place until the roots get established. You can either use a small piece of Styrofoam, a piece of sponge, or what ever else you have on hand that will keep the soil from falling out of the hole. Cut a hole in the material just large enough to accommodate the plants roots and place in over the hole inside the bucket. Then gently slide the roots through the hole.

It’s a really good idea to have someone hold the plant in place while you fill the bucket with soil. You can use any quality potting soil, or choose one that is made especially for vegetables. Carefully place the soil around the roots taking care to not damage them. Once you get the bucket about half full of soil, add some water to let the soil settle around the roots. Then finish filling the pot with soil.

After you choose a place to hang your upside down tomato, water it again thoroughly so that the roots can start to spread. If you used a bucket with a lid, such as a 5 gallon bucket, you can sit the lid back on the top of the bucket to help retain moisture. Water and fertilize the tomato plant just like you would if it was in the garden.

There are numerous varieties of tomatoes that make great upside down plants. However, a determinate variety will work much better in a container. Indeterminate varieties of tomatoes continue growing until they are killed by frost. For this reason they can become too large and too heavy for an upside down container. Determinate varieties grow to a certain size and stop growing.

Written by Connie Corder, Copyright 2010 HousePlantsForYou.com