Gravity-Defying Gardening

Growing tomatoes upside down in hanging buckets is a revelation for older gardeners. It eliminates the need to bend over, prevents soil-borne diseases, and completely removes the need for stakes or cages.

Creating the Planter

Take a standard 5-gallon bucket with a handle. Drill a 2-inch hole in the center of the bottom. Drill several smaller holes around it for drainage.

Planting

Push the root ball of a sturdy tomato seedling (cherry or roma varieties work best) through the bottom hole so the plant hangs out. Fill the bucket with a high-quality, lightweight potting mix mixed with slow-release fertilizer.

Maintenance

Hang the bucket from a sturdy hook on a sunny porch. Water daily from the top of the bucket. As the plant grows, gravity will pull the heavy fruit down, while the leaves turn up toward the sun. Harvesting is as easy as reaching out at chest height!