upside down planters

**NewLeaf** · 06-10-2009, 04:48 PM

Is anyone else using the upside down planter? DH and I made several (gave 3 as mother's day gifts with plants already in). We used 3 1/2 gallon buckets from the bakery (.75 cents ea.) and my dh drilled 3 holes in ea. w/ a doorknob drillbit. One hole in ea. side and one in the bottom.

The two buckets I have have cherry tomato, squash & lemon boy tomatoe in one and grape tomato, cucumber & celebrity tomato in the other.

They are hung on shepards hooks in the garden and are doing great.

**craftypam** · 06-10-2009, 06:04 PM

Originally Posted by NewLeaf

Is anyone else using the upside down planter? DH and I made several (gave 3 as mother's day gifts with plants already in). We used 3 1/2 gallon buckets from the bakery (.75 cents ea.) and my dh drilled 3 holes in ea. w/ a doorknob drillbit. One hole in ea. side and one in the bottom.

The two buckets I have have cherry tomato, squash & lemon boy tomatoe in one and grape tomato, cucumber & celebrity tomato in the other.

They are hung on shepards hooks in the garden and are doing great.

I have only put small tomatoes in mine. I like your idea and think I might try the cucumber. Aren't you afraid that the squash will be too heavy or is it close to the ground.
We just use the terra cotta pots with the large whole in them.

**NewLeaf** · 06-11-2009, 07:42 AM

We hung the planters up on tall shepards hooks backed up to a chain link fence. The squash and cukes will attach to the fence and grow along the top of the fence line. I have grown several "vining" things on my fence and the vegies come out so pretty because they have hung instead of laid on the ground. This also keeps away slugs & blight & rot.

One year (our first attempt to grow anything) we let our pumpkins grow on the fence. All was well until the pumpkins started to get huge!!! We had to find things to prop them on so they wouldn't fall off the stem (a step stool, a birdbath.....) lol. It was hilarious!!! But those pumpkins were beautiful!

**freebs** · 06-11-2009, 08:58 AM

i did i have pics of mine in my pofile under garden pics

**MomToTwoBoys** · 06-11-2009, 11:44 AM

I have one hanging up out front, but I'm concerned about where it's hanging and the weight. It'll be fine for now, though.

It has one of my tomato plants in it.

**Missy** · 06-11-2009, 02:38 PM

I tried but the project didn't work for us. We might tryu again next year though. I have seen people do them in Homedepot orange buckets.

**mauimagic** · 06-11-2009, 02:42 PM

I'm starting ours next week. Love the ideas and the pictures!!

**frugalfranny** · 06-11-2009, 03:05 PM

Originally Posted by craftypam

I have only put small tomatoes in mine. I like your idea and think I might try the cucumber. Aren't you afraid that the squash will be too heavy or is it close to the ground.
We just use the terra cotta pots with the large whole in them.

How do you hang the terra-cotta pots? Isn't that pretty heavy? Where do you have it?

**canadamom** · 06-11-2009, 04:17 PM

UPSIDE down planters.... I heard to plant herbs on top to control the dirt.... makes sense.... I added some to the top of mine.... and getting double use out of one pot

**craftypam** · 06-11-2009, 06:59 PM

Originally Posted by frugalfranny

How do you hang the terra-cotta pots? Isn't that pretty heavy? Where do you have it?

We use those macrame pot holders; bought at the thrift store. I also have the stuff to make them. They are very easy. The terracotta pot has a large whole in the bottom already there to use and my dh hung hooks on the overhang of the house. That is why I wondered how to grow heavy things because ours are very high up.

**NewLeaf** · 07-01-2009, 05:30 PM

My upside down planters are doing great. I already picked two cucumbers. There are small green tomatoes starting to appear and squash. So far the shepards hooks are working and the cukes and squash are growing along the chain link fence.

**dianeeileen** · 07-13-2009, 10:48 PM

Ok, at the risk of sounding stupid, how do you keep the plants from falling out the hole in the bottom ? I just can't seem to wrap my mind around it.

Diane

**mauimagic** · 07-13-2009, 10:51 PM

Pictures, we need pictures!! Please??!!

**Debbie-cat** · 07-13-2009, 10:53 PM

I would like to see pics too. If I knew this summer was going to be as dry as it is, upside planters might have been the way to go!

**Ceashels** · 07-14-2009, 08:22 AM

Mine has a 1/2-3/4 inch dense foam that covers the hole. It has a cut on one side to the center and that slides around the plant stem to hold it in place. The foam is larger than the opening so it won't slip through and the weight of the soil holds it in place.