Make an Easy Topsy Turvy Tomato Apparatus

A Topsy Turvy tomato apparatus is one that will use up potting supplies around the house and give your tomato plant the best possible chances at good growth in a pot. These instructions set out how to build your own "topsy turvy" tomato apparatus, based on the commercially-available ones.

Steps

 * 1) Assemble apparatus before attempting to plant tomato.
 * 2) Insert one planter inside the other, offsetting drain holes to prevent leakage—except for center hole.
 * 3) Tie heavy monofilament to an upright cage wire under top ring. Loop loosely around other uprights under top ring.
 * 4) Put pot in cage, gather monofilament onto orchid hook in center and hang temporarily to plant.
 * 5) Wrap old fabric softener sheet at base of tomato plant and insert upside down through bottom hole--enlarge if needed.
 * 6) Fill with soil, put mulch on top and move to desired location before weighing down with water.
 * 7) Fertilize as you prefer. A couple of basil plants in top make a suitable addition.

Tips

 * Use supplies available at home where possible, to reduce costs and to recycle.

Things You'll Need

 * Large nursery planters
 * Cages
 * Old weeder monofilament
 * Used fabric sheet
 * Orchid hook
 * Potting mix