Topsy Turvy Upside - Down Tomato Planter Review

5/2/09I have had so many ask me if I will use the Topsy Turvy tomato planter this year and so I caved and bought one at Walgreen's for $9.99.  Contains one Topsy Turvy and directions.

To set it straight I am iffy on this product, but out of fairness and loving to garden I will be putting it to the test in my garden this year.  I thought I would take the reader along for this garden season. So please come back because I will be updating this review as I go along to share my adventure of the Topsy Turvy with pictures.

I am iffy because of the weight of the tomato plant with fruits. Why? I just feel that sucker is going to pull right out of the planter when it gets heavy, but hoping it does work because it is a nice space saver.

Lest get started:

• I first went to buy a Sheppard's hook to stick into the ground.
• Very simple to get it going.
• Take off the two top covers.
• Pull out the thick slit sponge at the bottom.
• Slip your tomato plant into the sponge.
• Carefully slide your tomato plant and sponge thru the bottom hole and make sure the sponge is in correct location.
• Then I went to hang it onto the sheppard's hook (Please purchase a "S" hook because it does not come with or take a thick metal hanger (for clothes), get out the metal cutters and make your own. Slip through the top ring and with pliers twist and then hang).
• After hung either get a scoop and scoop the dirt in (I like Miracle Grow potting soil with or without the moisture additives in the dirt). Leave two inches in the top)
• Put back on the cover and give it a little drink. (I have a large cup that I fill with water and after about two to three cups water will start to drip out and that is when I stop.

 I am now on my second Sheppard's hook.  I went out to purchase a second one (Check out your GoodWill Store for garden needs...found my second Sheppard's hook there for a  lot less) because after watering it I could see the first hook starting to bend some and it that is starting to do that now what will it be doing when I have a full plant with fruits on it.  I saw the TV add again and they have a super thick hook.  So remember it will need a very strong support. My new Sheppard's hook has a hook on both sides of the top so I will put another hanging planter on the other hook to make it have a counter weight.

Tips that I found out.  When you go to put your dirt in you want it hanging because as I tried without thinking YOU CAN'T PUT IT DOWN OR THE PLANTS WILL GET SMASHED). Have a friend give you a hand if you need one (strong).  One to hold the planter and raise it onto your hook weather it is a Sheppard's hook or another type of hook and one to put the dirt in.  I hoisted the bag of  dirt onto my shoulder and tried to dump it in...messy yes, thought I waisted some good soil, but I put some holly hock seeds in that dirt. Best to have someone help out.

 5/4/09.  One thing that I have noticed with the Topsy Turvey is when you water it, of course the water will go down, but it will trickle out onto the leaves.  This is a good thing if you are feeding your plants Miracle grow plant food, but something to remember...never water your plant in the hot afternoon sun.  Either early morning or at dusk. This will keep your leaves from frying in the sun. 

5/26/09.  Well to my amazement I now have 6 flowers on my Topsy Turvy upside down tomato planter.  I made sure I didn't have any buds on it when I bought the tomato plant. The plant itself hasn't grown that much (see latest pictures), but it's starting to get exciting. Ok, it doesn't take much as far as the garden items and plants, but this is getting cool. I was at a local farm/home store and found the perfect shepard's hook.  It's and inch in diam. Has no bend at all so it would be perfect.  The hook sells for around $30 so I will look into that for next years crops or depending on how heavy this planter will get this year.

6/6/09.  My word, I am going to have many tomatoes.  Just counted 7 more buds on the plant.  Did have a few leaves turn yellow (I have had this when they grow right side up), but I just picked those off and the plant is still growing strong.  Next weekend I will be going out to purchase the thicker shepard's hook. If I am going to get the tomatoes that I am seeing...It's going to need more support.   I gave all of my plants a good feeding of Miracle Grow on Monday and you can see the difference.

6/19/09. Still growing strong. Way,  over 30 tomato flowers now and the plant itself took a big boost in growth this past week. When I grew tomatoes in a container I had to water them twice a day and would maybe get 15 to 20 tomatoes off of it. The care of the tomato plant in the Topsy Turvy I am finding is a gardeners dream and so darn easy once it is all put together.  Water every few days and just watch it grow. I am now planning on purchasing a few more for next year.  I didn't purchase a larger Sheppard's hook yet...Velcroed the two Sheppard's hooks together and (teehee) bought another hanging plant (It followed me home really it did).  I see a few of my neighbors have started using the Topsy Turvy on their own patios and this next week I will be going over to ask them their feelings on the up side down tomato planter.

7/10/09.  The Topsy Turvy is doing great. Baby tomatoes all over the plant (Can I hear an Awwwwwww).  Watching this plant grow I feel the plant will hold the tomatoes without breakage. I now measure the water amount by the bend in my plant hanger :)  I have not had any issues with critters or insects this year and the spiders seem to be leaving this alone...I told them to get their little butts over to my pepper plant...(another story).  But as of today my tomato plant is growing well and loving the baby tomatoes on the plant.  My neighbors that also have Topsy Turvys are also please and their are growing very well. We not call out block Topsy Turvy Town :).

7/30/09. Well almost August and I still have many green tomatoes on my Topsy Turvy plant.  The plant itself is huge and bushy thus blocking some sun from the tomatoes to ripen them faster.  My neighbor that has a right side up tomato plant growing already has his first tomato. Next year I will try this hanging off the balcony since this has grown so big it's just-starting to touch the ground.  It won't hurt it, but plants are my babies. I have also found a new tip.  When the plant gets bigger pinch off the growth at the base of the plant. This will help with rotting on the base of the tomato (just like egg shells) and will help you product even more tomatoes.

9/10/09.  Well this is turning into a odd growing season with all the cooler weather we are having here.  The planter is still holding strong and to tell you the truth I didn't think it was going to last this long.  I still have tons of green tomatoes on the plant and starting to turn red.  (Again the cooler temps are slowing the growing season down here in Wisconsin).  My next log into this review will be pictures of the harvest of the Topsy Turvy and taking it apart for fall storage.  Also if you are thinking of buying a Topsy Turvy to try for yourself this is the time to get out to your garden center or where ever you have seen the sold in your local area...I have been finding these at half price right now and plant to snag a few for next year to try the MEGA tomato (one tomato can grow up to four pounds) tried it in my dad's garden and he says these are the best tasting tomatoes...review to come on these.

9/21/09. Great growing season even though it was a cooler summer. The Topsy Turvy was a snap to take apart.  Snip at the base of the stem near the foam and empty the dirt. While I was doing this I got to see the root system. BEAUTIFUL!  Pictures of the end result are posted.

Will I use my Topsy Turvy again...you bet. I really did have fun with this test and the out come.

Tips, water until it starts to drip out of the bottom, (every other day to every two days to water) fertilize once a week, prune back leave that are not producing flowers/fruit, hang in the sun and enjoy!

Thank you for coming along with me on my test of the Topsy Turvy.  If you have any questions please let me know and I hope your growing season went as well as mine...I am looking forward to next spring :)