How to Make an Upside Down Tomato Planter

Last Updated: May 12, 2022 References

Looking for a cool, space-saving garden project? We have all the tips you need to make an upside-down tomato planter from materials you probably already have around your home!

Steps

1
Find a five gallon bucket with handle. You can buy one from the local hardware store in the paint section, but it's better to re-use. This one carried salt for a marine aquarium. Pool chemicals sometimes come in 5 gallon (18.9 L) buckets, and even laundry detergent.^{[1]
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2
Drill a one to two inch hole in the bottom center of the bucket.^{[2]
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3
After frost in your area, carefully stick a small tomato plant through the hole, leaving the root ball, soil intact in the bucket.^{[3]
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4
Without squashing your plant, carefully fill the bucket with a bag of potting soil. You may want to add other things beneficial to tomatoes like blood meal.^{[4]
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5
Hang in a secure location with full sunshine.
6
Water from the top and keep it watered according to the needs of your plants.^{[5]
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7
Plant some seeds or herbs on the top. Some ideas include parsley, basil, radishes, lettuce, carrots and more.
8
Be patient. In a couple of months, you will enjoy your tomatoes, saving patio space as well as creating a conversational item.

Community Q&A

Question

What is the benefit of planting tomatoes upside down?

Arizona Livin'

Community Answer

It's great when you have a limited amount of space. It also allows you to avoid staking up the plant and keeps the plant safe from any diseases or pests that could get to it when it's on the ground.