Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Wordful Wednesday: Topsy Turvy Tomatoes

I think we've already established the fact that my SIL, Aunt Julie, has a pretty green thumb. She had the kids out in the garden just a couple of weeks ago--digging, pulling, hauling, grading. The result? This lovely area for hanging her Topsy Turvy Tomatoes.

I did a speck of research on these amazing gizmos, and they've got a pretty interesting history. These upside-down planters are actually based on the original plans from the Hanging Gardens of Babylon. According to Jill M. on eHow, these gardens were one of the original Seven Wonders of the World.

Topsy Turvy Tomatoes are also known by some as a Tomato Swingset, Tomato Gallows (I really like that one!) and a Wall of Tomatoes.

Hanging these babies upside down, apparently, solves lots of tomato-type problems, such as fruit rot and bugs. Julie Eliz has planted Big Boy, Better Boy, Big Beef and Roma varieties.

Will she have a better tomato harvest this season?

"We'll see, " she says. Ever the optimist!

For a look at the rest of the Wordful Wednesday Harvest, please visit Angie, OK?

28 comments:

Sara Elizabeth said...

Neat! I can't wait to see how they grow for you. I have read both good and bad reviews on the Topsy Turvy. So, I am interested to see how they work out for you. :o)

Happy WW from Sara @ the Mostly Wordless Wednesday H.Q.!

Run DMT said...

That is really cool! Does they keep the critters out?

Happy WW!

Anonymous said...

I'm like Sara, I can't wait to see how well they do. I wanted to try these but thought they must be some newfangled idea, thanks for the background check!

Hootin Anni said...

I've seen these on other blogs and they [the plants] start growing UP after a while...they look really odd. But hey...if they produce good tomatoes, that's what counts.

My wordful is posted....mine is of the feathered kind. Johnathon Livingston's kin. Stop by if you can.

Susie said...

I haven't tried this one yet so, I will be anxious to see what she comes up with this year!!

Dee said...

I've seen these..but we just do them the same old way-in the ground!

Kathleen W. said...

I'm really curious to see how they turn out. A few of our neighbors have these, and I've been tempted to plant one myself and hang it on our clothesline, since that area gets all-day sun. I like that they're out of the way too.

I love the posts that Julie's hangs on. So fancy!

Tracy P. said...

YUM!! She's got a great setup there! Bethany wanted me to buy some of those the other day, but we don't really have a good place for them. Maybe I could hang them from my deck....

Keep us posted!

Susan Holt Simpson said...

Always wanted to try those!

Lynda said...

I'm looking forward to seeing how these play out...

McClure Family said...

i would love to see how these work for you!! i have wanted one myself!!

my WW:

http://www.mcclurefamilyspace.blogspot.com/
http://www.2by2boutique.blogspot.com/

Vintage Romance Style said...

I definately want to try those! As soon as I can get rid of my dog... she will eat them!

Marrdy said...

I have always wanted to try these! I planted three this year, Early Girls, Big Boys and some random one that the hubby bought and surprised me with. I'm sure we will be surprised.

Teri said...

I can't wait to see how her crop turns out. These things intrigue me.

Brenda said...

What a great idea! Be sure to post follow up pics.

Anonymous said...

I've thought about getting one of them, let us know the outcome! ☺

Joyeful said...

I wondered about those!! I love tomatoes--might have to try this!

Ryan Ashley Scott said...

I've heard of these, but never seen them - how cool! They'd also be nice for people with pets or small children since the plant leaves are so poisonous. Now I'm cravin some fried green tomatoes!

Marla said...

how funny that we both posted about turvy's on the same day!

Adriana said...

I do NOT have a green thumb at all. This year my 4 year old brought home a tomato plant from her field trip to the local nursery. Much to my dismay we planted it (in a pot b/c we live in an apt) and it has gotten huge. There are blossoms and everything. By golly we may just have a tomato this year after all :) Thanks for stopping by my blog.

Deanna said...

Several of my friends are trying these out too! I can't wait to see all the results.

Two Pretty Little Skirts said...

How cool! I have a pretty brown thumb so I wouldnt be trying it out anytime soon sorry :(
Thanks so much for stoppin by my blog and showin comment love!

Dawn

Dorkys Ramos said...

Oh wow, I've never heard of these. Then again I've never planted veggies. Hope they turn out great!

Honey Mommy said...

I find this whole concept interesting. I will have to see how they turn out, as we have about 16 tomatoes planted in our garden!

Mrs4444 said...

I've always wondered what those things look like; very cool. I look forward to the updates!

Housewife Savant said...

I just came over from SITS to say Good Morning and Happy Friday.

I have a neighbor with several of these lovely TTs hanging from her porch. I'm watching and waiting also, with not-so-much of a Green Thumb as a love of tomatoes and wondering if EVEN I could...
Probably not.

I am a Wisconsin girl at heart, living 35 long winters/short summers in Antigo, White Lake, Stevens Point/Plover.
I love Wisconsin. I'm glad I'm not there.
It'll be 95 degrees here today...and tomorrow...and the day after that...

Christina Lee said...

well my tomatoes are planted the traditional way- I am dying to see growth on these (more pics please?)

smilinggreenmom said...

Wow...I am curious and strangely impressed! These are too cool looking and because I am so new at gardening...have no clue how this works? We just put in a garden of our own and I wasn't even sure how to do regular tomatoes, but am very curious about it and loving the ideas from others. We are a family gone natural and my latest love is a product I tried called Topricin for my ever-aching feet. So...I think I am for sure going to have to see how these end up- it is great to hear that the kids are participating in gardening too! Thanks, smilinggreenmom *tweet me!