Contents
If you’ve ever tried growing tomatoes outdoors, you know how difficult it can be! Between pests, diseases, and competition for sunlight, it’s sometimes difficult to get the yield you’re hoping for.
However, there is a technique that can help you achieve positive results; growing tomatoes upside down. In this article, we’ll look at the benefits of growing tomatoes upside down and give you some tips on how to get the best results.
Understanding the concept of growing tomatoes upside down
The concept of growing tomatoes upside down involves placing tomato plants in containers or garden bags suspended upwards. The plants are then able to grow downwards from the container or bag, allowing the tomatoes to grow vertically rather than horizontally.
This method is very practical for gardeners who don’t have a lot of space, as it allows plants to grow without taking up too much room and without having to build trellises or fences to support them. What’s more, this method can also help reduce disease and pests, as the fruit is not in direct contact with the soil.
Benefits of growing tomatoes upside down
This method of cultivation, which involves turning the tomato pots upside down and hanging them from the windowsill, is very practical and offers many benefits. The first advantage is that it offers excellent protection against pests and parasites that can attack tomato plants.
Upside-down pots are easy to clean and maintain and increase drainage to prevent water build-up around the roots. Growing tomatoes upside down is also a very practical solution for saving space.
In a small garden or on a balcony, lack of space can be a serious obstacle to growing tomatoes, but by turning the pots upside down you can save a lot of space. Last but not least, this method creates ideal conditions for higher yields and tastier tomatoes.
How to plant tomatoes upside down?
Growing tomatoes upside down is a highly beneficial method of cultivation. This method increases tomato production and quality while reducing the time and effort needed to maintain the plants. To plant tomatoes upside down, you need to :
- Cut off the bottom of the tomato, taking care not to damage the fruit.
- Prepare a hole deep enough for the tomato, adding compost to enrich the soil.
- Place the tomato, cut side up, in the hole, and pack the soil well around it.
- Add a stake to support the plant.
- Water copiously and keep the soil moist.
However, it’s important to note that this method requires a certain amount of skill. Care must be taken not to cut the tomato too deeply or plant it too deeply in the soil. What’s more, you’ll also need to take good care of the plants to achieve optimum results.
What type of tomato is best suited to this growing method?
Upside-down tomatoes are a very popular growing method for gardeners. It’s important to choose the right type of tomato to plant in order to get the most out of this technique.
Most tomato varieties lend themselves to this method, but some are more suitable than others. Firm-fleshed, thick-skinned varieties such as Roma are particularly well-suited to this method.
These varieties have tougher skins and denser flesh, making them easier to hang and plant upside down. Other varieties such as cherry tomatoes and coeur de boeuf are also suitable, as they are small and have thick, resistant skins.
F1 hybrids, on the other hand, are less suitable, as they tend to be sweeter and less robust than classic varieties.
Old-fashioned varieties, also known as “heirloom tomatoes”, are very popular with gardeners who grow tomatoes upside down, as they are generally highly resistant to disease and usually produce an excellent harvest. Whatever variety you choose, it’s important to select robust, vigorous plants that will be suitable for growing upside-down tomatoes.
Growing tomatoes upside down offers many advantages, both in terms of yield improvement and maintenance. This method, which involves turning the pots upside down, reduces work time and improves air circulation.
It also uses less water and fertilizer.
This technique is a simple but highly effective way to make gardening easier and get a good yield of tomatoes.
