Topsy Turvy - Questions

Mrs.BWilliams

I decided that a full blown garden would be a bit ambitious, so I thought I'd start with the Topsy Turvy planters and see how I do. I have a few questions (sorry for the lack of spaces). Here goes: 1. When did you start yours? ( I have tomatoes, peppers And strawberries). 2. How many plants did you put in each planter? 3. Can you combine different "types" of plants in one planter (ex: Jalape?o and Banana Peppers?). 4. Where did you buy your plants? Thanks!!

Molly Jean

I just did a tomato/herb one... a few days in but they're still alive   Too early for me to call it a success???  haha

1) see above   A few days ago

2) I put one tomato in but split up my herbs.  Well, some of them.  Cilantro, parsley, and chives are bushy so I broke them out.

3) They make a 'hot pepper' one (which I also have but haven't attempted).  I have to imagine that they'd all do well together. But I'm a rookie at this.

4) Home Depot.

 

December29_Brid

Well, I can say that around here we are much better with a full blown garden. We attempted our Topsy Turvy for 2 years and finally gave up...we always got them to produce, but the plant looked horrible and it wasn't a ton of fruit. We did, however, have luck with a stand planter. At the top there is about a 2'x2' square for planting, it also has a few holes in the bottom for upside down planting. It stands about 4.5' high. Super cute too and you don't have to find somewhere to hang your Topsy Turvy. With the TT it gets so heavy (especially tomatoes) that you need a VERY sturdy place to hang it. Good luck with them...I still wish mine would have worked!

Cygal

Those are all really easy plants to grow in the ground, even if you had a small spot somewhere. I grew some tomato plants one summer in my retaining wall next to my landscaping and they did really well. I just didn't like it because they got SO big and kind of looked ugly. 

ss+el

December29_Brid:

With the TT it gets so heavy (especially tomatoes) that you need a VERY sturdy place to hang it.

Agreed. My neighbors ended up having to build a high frame to hang theirs from because nothing else worked. 

I didn't want to commit to a full garden when we first moved into our house, so I got some whiskey barrels from Lowe's. I have a regular garden now, but I still put my tomatoes and peppers in the barrels. 

I usually end up buying my plants at Lowe's, but Home Depot & HyVee Garden Center are just as good, in my experience. I haven't bought anything yet this year.