The Topsy Turvy upside-down tomato planter became one of the best-selling As Seen on TV garden products of all time — and for good reason. Growing tomatoes upside down eliminates many of the problems that plague traditional gardening. But there are tricks to getting the best results.
Here are 10 tips for your Topsy Turvy planter:
- Choose the right tomato variety — Cherry and grape tomatoes work best. Larger varieties like beefsteak can get too heavy.
- Start with healthy transplants — Don’t use seeds. Use established seedlings 6-8 inches tall.
- Hang in full sun — Tomatoes need 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily.
- Water consistently — Upside-down planters dry out faster. Check daily, especially in summer heat.
- Use quality potting soil — Not garden soil. Potting mix drains better and is lighter weight.
- Fertilize regularly — A balanced tomato fertilizer every 2 weeks keeps plants productive.
- Make sure your hook is strong — A full, watered Topsy Turvy can weigh 50+ pounds.
- Don’t overcrowd — One plant per planter gives the best results.
- Pinch suckers early — Remove side shoots to direct energy to fruit production.
- Harvest regularly — Picking ripe tomatoes encourages more fruit to develop.
The Topsy Tree version brought the same upside-down growing concept to Christmas trees, herbs, strawberries, and other plants. Same great concept, more variety.
Whether you have a small apartment balcony or a sprawling backyard, the Topsy Turvy system makes gardening accessible to everyone.