I have wanted to plant tomatos for so long. (growing up with them in my back yard) but i moved in to a 2nd floor condo and fell inlove with the idea of the topsy. not thinking that i could do it myself if found this site and seen all the ideas i then went out on a mission yesterday to pot my tomatos. needless to say i am a big DIY'er and always look for ways to make a project just a smig simpler (not trying to cut corners) but on my down the planters isle while i was getting the pot that i needed in reading this forum, i passed a coconut fiber pot then i had the idea that this pot has it all in one.

1) its already woven so i wouldnt need fabric.

2) it had it own hanger/pot holder

3) and i think it looks prettier hanging.

i bought at 14" one at walmart with the chain to hang it and all for $7. it came with its own little fixing and pot was being held by some wireing with the perfect size cirlce at the bottom to feed the tomatos thru once i cut the fiber. so far it looks good and took about 10 minutes. the watering is simple and it looks nice even on my porch. we will see how it turns out. thanks for ideas!!!

I noticed that several of the viedo's had fence's in them. What I have done in the past is grow cucumber's and pole beans along the fence. Once they start to vine out, just tie(train) them to the fence. After a short while they get the idea. It's easy pickins too. By the way, there are other idea's for hanger's out there, but this seem's the best so far as you can grow 2 or 3 for one. A real space saver.

There is no need to buy plastic buckets from home depot!  Restaurants will give them to you for free and will often have a wide variety of sizes.  

I made 6 hanging tomatos this past month and have a few ideas I used I'd like to pass along. I used 2 gallon paint buckets w/ lids from Home Depot. I've always heard 5 gal works best but so far mine are doing just fine. After doing all the planting and such I put the lids on and snapped them in place. . I drilled ten 3/8th in holes around the lid and hung them from my gutterless eves directly in the "drip zone". The holes seem to allow enough water in the plant yet prevent too much water in during a heavy rain. A light rain once or twice a week seems good enough for them to "self water". If no rain I simply spray the roof over the plants until water starts to drip thru the bottom hole. The lids seem to help retain moisture. Also used 3'8th in "eye" hooks, 2 per plant, spaced 3 1/2 inches apart. Makes for a stable, level hang. For aethstetics I painted them w/ a 4 inch roller using some solid ( as opposed to clear ) stain in my main house color I just happened to have handy. Quite by accident I found that the stain, after drying totally, wrinkles in a cool way when water hits it. Also used a "trim" color arond top area near lid that was difficult to roll stain on. Krylon Fusion Spray paint designed for plastic is what I used and is just great.   Hope this helps anyone......

The tree stand is a good idea.  I'm planning to make somethink like that but with PVC.  You can get conntectors that just screw on so easier for a non-builder - lol.  Still not sure on how to make a sturdy base for it though if any one has a suggetion.  I never though of the water line.  That is a really good idea.

On the question about peppers.  I have not tired them but have heard from others that they grown great.  Pretty much any kind of plants works from the research I have reviewed from other growers.  I would say give it a try.  The that could happen is your out a couple bucks for a plant.

I am making some of these this weekend, and I'm wondering if anyone has tried this method with any type of pepper? We love to have a variety of hot peppers to go with the maters for salsa and whatnot, and it seems like this would work for them as well. If anyone has any thoughts please let me know.

Thanks for the great site,

Will in Idaho

I have seen photos somewhere of a "tomato tree". It was just a 4"X4" post about 8' tall with a pair of crossed 4"X4"X2' arms notched together and bolted to the top like a weathervane. One bucket hung from the end of each of the 4 arms. a drip tube ran up the post and split off to each arm and ended over each bucket. The bottom of the drip tube had a standard connection for a garden hose so that it could be hooked up every couple of days. The plants seemed to "make room for each other" so that even the one on the shaded side produced as much as the others. Fourhuge plants in the same space that would normally be taken up by just one!!

Robin, that's a great idea! I was thinking I could use the pails kitty litter comes in too.

I made one out of a gallon milk jug (if opaq need to spray paint it.  I cut an opening at the bottom of the jug for adding soil and water.  I fed the plant through the spout in the top of the jug and used a piece of sponge cut to the size of the spout opening to keep the soil from falling out.  Don't forget to cut a slit in it so the sponge will fit around the steam of the plant.  I made holes to run the jute twine for hanging.  I didn't think about having one growing out of the bottom of my flowers I already have growing.  Great tip - Thanks

I haven't read anything about the bags being better. Although, you might want to check out Bullseye's comment and link below. Very clever!!!