Kitchen

[forrestwolf]

I know that a lot of you have gardens, and can and freeze....... Well, this year I would like to grow some of my exotic peppers and tomatoes in a hanging planter, as too many critters here in the open areas of my abode, so I thought hanging might be better.....I know of the topsy turvy, and some like them, and some do not, but I have found some in a wire cage for support, and the bottom zips, so as not to break the plants.........Has anyone tried these........I really do miss my heirloom tomatoes and hot peppers.........

[chessylady]

I know people do grow tomatoes in the topsy-turvey. They are very heavy when filled with soil and i believe would dry out quickly. They seem more like a gimmick to me.

[forrestwolf]

These are not the original topsy turvy, and you can rotate them easily, as I have 6 huge metal hooks across my front porch, and it is facing due south, so would get plenty of sun that they require, and I just walk out the front door and water them........ Heck, these are less than $6.00, and I like the wire cage reinforcement, as opposed to the early models.......

[Kachina624]

I tried them for two summers with no luck. It was very hard to water them so the soil was consistently damp. Part would be soaked and part bone dry. They were extremely heavy when filled and wet.

[Poodlepet2]

Hi Forestwolf! I tried the topsy-turvy and it did not work for me: I'm short and it was difficult to water. One apparatus I've used-and I'm getting ready to clean it out for this year (dumping old soil and bleaching) is the Earth Box. It is truly incredible-check out the web-site. That being said, there are other producers of the Earth Box (same idea, different brand) and they come in all kinds of sizes. The biggest issue is watering: there is a reservoir, but it's shocking how much water these critters consume! Once full growing season begins (I'm talking vines 3 inches or more in diameter!!!) I've had to water mine twice a day!

No matter what container you decide on, I am really excited about some cage alternatives I've found. Check out Gardener's Supply: there one easy to use system I'm excited about trying. As your plants grow, there are these easy to use clips so that you're not messing with ties.

I've wanted to try some heirloom varieties, but how do you know when they are ripe? My only experience with 'maters is the good old "red" varieties-grape, plum, beefsteak etc.

Poodlepet

[gonnab]

I cannot wait to plant my tomatoes but there's still 18" of snow on the ground!!! I had great luck last year with my experiment. I live in senior housing where there is no space for a garden - but I do have a back entrance that is a cement 3x3 "stoop" with 4 steps leading up to my kitchen door, iron rails, and sunny most of the day. So I bought two rail plant hangers that I hung on either side and planted lettuce. I have a kitchen window - placed another planter there with basil, rosemary, and thyme. And then had 4 large planters with tomato plants on the steps. My tomato plants got so large, had to tie them to the rails - looked like a jungle with barely enough room to use the steps but I got a great crop of heirloom Purple Chirokee,and Early Girl. But my biggest success was with the little Yellow Pear and another high-yield grape tomato that I can't remember the name. Can't wait to repeat this year and hope that I have similar success!

[Poodlepet2]

Gonnab, it sounds so wonderful! I don't have the gift of the green thumb-but Lord love me, i TRY! It never ceases to amaze me what one can do with small spaces and container gardening. I would love to see pictures.

I'm getting ready to try seedlings this year. Every time I've bought tomato plants etc from nurseries, I've battled disease-especially among tomatoes...but at the least-even apartment dwellers, there's just nothing better than fresh herbs that you grow yourself!

May you have the best growing season ever!

Poodlepet

[fthunt]

Did you download that picture from www.gardeners.com in Vermont? If so, read the REVIEWS about this planter there. I did and often mentioned that the fabric rots and replacement bag isn't cheap - nor is the original purchase price.

There were other comments (good and not so good) but can't recall all of them. This item is available in many places - so shop around - gardeners.com tends to be the most expensive; but a great store/website & fast fast delivery.

[wagirl]

I tried the originals and ended up beating the h*ll out of them like a pinata when I found all my toms on the ground, broken off while still green and a good part of the stem still attached. It was from the weight of the fruit. The plants grow towards the sun in the beginning and then when heavy toms are on them they start drooping until the stem breaks. Maybe cherry toms would do better as they are so light. A total waste of money and time and anticipation on my part. Threw the stupid things away. I have used the earth box for the last 2 years with huge success. I use it for herbs and never have I had such nice plants.

[fthunt]

wagirl - I agree - earth box and/or raised garden works great. Critters never touched the plantings - last year I planted cherry tomatoes w/Scott soil and added Hercules seaweed/fish fertilizer every 3 weeks - and WOW - I was taking surplus production to the neighbors begging them to take (nobody refused!)

Bought Tumbling Tom Cherry Tomato plants from WHITE FLOWER website in Conn.