As Seen on TV?

[Nomilynn]

I would love to see some pictures or plan ideas for the Topsy Turvey, or even if they work. My bf has a tomato plant on his deck every year and it grows like CRAZY, which means there are lots of gross tomatoes that mold in the dirt before we can pick them. He has some hanging hooks that were likely used for hanging baskets at some point.. do the upside down tomato planters really work?

[RICHARD]

I would love to see some pictures or plan ideas for the Topsy Turvey, or even if they work. My bf has a tomato plant on his deck every year and it grows like CRAZY, which means there are lots of gross tomatoes that mold in the dirt before we can pick them. He has some hanging hooks that were likely used for hanging baskets at some point.. do the upside down tomato planters really work?

If you go to some of the links at the beginning of the thread you will see some plans for a simple USD planter...

I am putting mine together this week...I'll take photos!

[RICHARD]

I made my tomato planter two days ago.

I have taken pics but need to upload them. I did take some as I put it together!


I used an old piece of plastic window screen to hold the potting soil inside the bucket and II thought I really screwed up the plants when I pushed them thru the screen and hole on the side of the container..

They looked a little battered, but today they have perked up and have started to grow upwards. I can feed them in two weeks!

We'll know what happens in around 40-50 days!

[RICHARD]

Did anyone watch the "Pitchmen" special on DISC? I think it was on DISC....

Billy Mays and the other guy do a show where they test a pair of inventions to pitch, they put together a commercial, then decide who had the best invention.

Very interesting.....I also saw a book called "But Wait, There's more!" it tell about the tricks they use in the infomercials to get you excited and purchasing the items on sale.

----------

My tomato planter is growing great.

I put in two mater plants and a pepper plant! The PP just put out a flower and the 'maters plants are doing well!

[Cinder & Smoke]

... you will see some plans for a simple USD planter...
I am putting mine together this week ...
I'll take photos!

I made my tomato planter two days ago.
I have taken pics but need to upload them. I did take some as I put it together!

They looked a little battered,
but today they have perked up and have started to grow upwards.

I put in two mater plants and a pepper plant!
The PP just put out a flower and the 'maters plants are doing well!

OK - so where's our step-by-step 'Mater Pharm construction photos?
It'll quit *snowin* over here on the Righ Edge (maybe) and be tyme to PLANT soon.

Trivia Questions:

* How much 'room' is needed from the bottom of the USD Planter to the ground?
I'm prolly going to make a 3-legged TriPod (like a teepee tent frame) to
hold my 'Mater Bucket above ground in the driveway rather than hang it
under the porch roof. Lot more SUN in the driveway.
I'll string the Dawg Fence around the tripod legs to keep the 4-legged Poachers
outta da Pharm again this year.

* How much does the loaded bucket WEIGH when it's filled with soil + water?

* Did you plant all three plants at the same Level, or stagger them one
high, one low, one in the middle?

* Is yours an 'open top', or covered with the bucket lid?

Standing by ...

/s/ Future Pharmer

[Nomilynn]

I can't wait to see some pictures.. I really want to give it a try!

[blue]

I wanna do some cherry type maters once things thaw out, so post up the pics. I got plenty of buckets and screen material.

I steal buskets from walrus's

[janelle]

The tomato plants just do not look sturdy hanging upside down, like they will break off at any moment. We have very high winds here and I fear they would be blown away or torn up whipping in the wind.

I would rather buy the "as seen on TV" things at the store so as not to pay postage and also to see the product up close. I have been sorry when I bought the other way.

The exercise equipment turn out to be junk. The bolts and screws come loose and need to be tightened all the time. If you want to try them, look for them at garage sales. We sold ours for 35 dollars at our sale---we paid 100 something for it.

The snuggies do not close in the back so not for me. I would wear them like a robe so I will just wear my robe and we have been using blankets to cover up anyway. If the blanket is big enough they work fine.

I bought the Hercules Hooks but haven't used them so thanks for the warning. I got the Ped Egg but if I don't use lotion with it the day skin comes back right away for me. I got the Ped Egg on sale. All of these things go on sale if you look for it.

I sent for the 80s CDs. I felt scammed on those. When you go to pay they slip in the club membership on you before you know it and you are signed up to receive more each month. They are sneaky about it. I called them and ended up sending all the CDs back. They could not correct it any other way. That was ok with me since I did not send for anymore after that. I was out postage and handling both ways though so not a good deal at all. I hate membership clubs. It never stops.

Same with the 80s videos. They had me in the club so had to cancel after the first month of getting more videos. They make you a club member before you know it. It must be in the fine print so I am totally off those things now.

I think it is best not to watch these commercials late at night. LOL

[RICHARD]

Trivia Questions:

* How much 'room' is needed from the bottom of the USD Planter to the ground?
I'm prolly going to make a 3-legged TriPod (like a teepee tent frame) to
hold my 'Mater Bucket above ground in the driveway rather than hang it
under the porch roof. Lot more SUN in the driveway.
I'll string the Dawg Fence around the tripod legs to keep the 4-legged Poachers
outta da Pharm again this year.

* How much does the loaded bucket WEIGH when it's filled with soil + water?

* Did you plant all three plants at the same Level, or stagger them one
high, one low, one in the middle?

* Is yours an 'open top', or covered with the bucket lid?

Standing by ...

/s/ Future Pharmer

I have no way of uplaoding them yet. Our house comps are on the blink!

I will get them done soon!


I took a 5 gallon bucket and cut three 3 inch holes at 0, 90 and 180 degrees around the midline (half way up) I stapled an old piece of nylon screen inside to keep the soil in and cut a cross in the mesh to feed the plants thru.

I filled the bucket with potting soil then took the plants, pushed them thru the mesh and covered the root system. I also punched some holes in the bottom to keep it drained.

I used a garage hook, those rubber coated hooks that you use to hang stuff in the garage, and put it under a south facing eave thate gets good sunshine.


I have a piece of nylon rope to adjust the height when they start to get going,

I guess you can start one at any level and adjust it if you use a piece of rope to hang it-this takes a little adjusting to keep the plants facing the sun.


I leave the top off the can and he whole kit and kabooble weighs about 35 pounds.

[Cinder & Smoke]

I took a 5 gallon bucket and cut three 3 inch holes at 0, 90 and 180 degrees
around the midline (half way up).

I also punched some holes in the bottom to keep it drained.

... put it under a south facing eave that gets good sunshine.

I leave the top off the can and he whole kit and kabooble weighs about 35 pounds.

I need to talk this over with Pharmer Donny - the (on the ground) Bucket Pharmer -
to figure out the best placement for acceptable sunlight amounts.

I kinda like your idea of the 0 - 90 - 180 degree spacing so none of them
are forced to grow on the shady side of the bucket.

But 35 pounds, plus another 8 - 16 pounds for water = a pretty HEAVY
40 -50 pounds hanging off one little roof truss.

I need to start deciding a few things - or start *flippin* coins.

[RICHARD]

I need to talk this over with Pharmer Donny - the (on the ground) Bucket Pharmer -
to figure out the best placement for acceptable sunlight amounts.

I kinda like your idea of the 0 - 90 - 180 degree spacing so none of them
are forced to grow on the shady side of the bucket.

But 35 pounds, plus another 8 - 16 pounds for water = a pretty HEAVY
40 -50 pounds hanging off one little roof truss.

I need to start deciding a few things - or start *flippin* coins.

I have a garage with southeast facing wall where I hung the bucket.

An easy way to find a sunny spot is to wake up early and find the place where you want to hang the plantar. and you can use pieces of tape on a wall or ground you can plot the sunshine as it moves across the area, or find the best area.

I just water the bucket enough to keep the soil moist.

I'll find a way to get you the pics!

[RICHARD]

We got baby maters! I hadn't noticed 'til today, plus the chile plant is sprouting too! I know I promised photos-In the next week or so!

[RICHARD]

Hokay!

Here we go!!!

How to make a mater hanger!

L to R

Get your mater plants!

Get yer bucket!

Drill holes in the sides of the bucket with a drill and hole saw attached!

Line the bucket with window mesh/screen-I stapled it to the sides to keep it in place!

[RICHARD]

More....

L to R...

Cut an 'X" into the mesh


Fill the planter with potting soil up to the level of the holes.

I figured this out when I made one for my brother.

Take the plant out of the pot and gently roll a piece of paper around the plant. Make it tight enough so you can push the 'roll' thru the hole in the mesh w/o tearing the plant up. The first time I tried to push the plant thru the mesh it bruised the plant and it went limp for a few days.

Fill it so the soil covers the plant's root and find a place in the sun for them!

[RICHARD]

Progress?

L to R...

About three weeks into the test.

Recent photos of maters and the size of the plants!