I've got 22 tomato plants in the ground and also planted 5 upside down hanging tomato plants since the second week of april.
Won't be long now!
Anyone ever try hanging tomato plants upside down? A lot of people down here tell me that is the way to go... and after reading up on it I am giving it a try this year. So far, the plants I have planted upside down are just kicking butt!
Advantages are, you don't have to stake them and it is nearly impossible for critters and pests to get to them. And if you should run into a cold snap, instead of covering plants, you can simply bring them in for the night. This would give you an edge to planting early. Also this keeps fruit from laying on the ground and preventing rot.
Everyone down here tells me for the best results to use the natural coconut weave style planter. I bought mine at Dollar General with hangers for 5 bucks. Wallyworld has them for $7.00.
Maybe later in the year I can post some pictures of how mine turned out. Just in case, I still have plenty planted in the ground that are doing well... but I am really impressed with the hanging ones so far!
Another popular way is to use 5 gallon buckets. Good results, but not nearly as attractive.
If anyone cares to try, here is the information with step by step instructions...with pics. Just keep clicking on next step and it will walk you trhough the entire process.
Hanging coco basket:
http://www.instructables.com/id/how-to-plant-hanging-upsidedown-tomatoes/
5 gallon bucket:
http://www.upsidedowntomatoplant.com/
http://urbangardencasual.com/2008/05/27/upside-down-tomatoes/
This has become a very popular way to plant tomatoes in these parts over the last couple of years. To heck with that infomercial on tv about those silly topsy turvey upside down tomato pants... twenty bucks per plant! Sheesh!
Good luck to anyone who wishes to give this a try!