The advantages are:

1) easy way to extend my growing space
2) no digging or staking
3) eliminates weeding
4) feeding and watering is easy
5) tomatoes ripen in the air, not on the ground. This eliminates rot and for the most part, insects like slugs feeding on them
6) I can use my tomato cages for other plants, like peas and pole beans
7) I hear the flowers and tomatoes make an attractive display as a hanging plant. The flowers turn up toward the sun.

The disadvantage is that feeding is intensive and has to be done with about every watering. I intend to use water-retaining crystals, but if they are not used, watering might have to be done twice a day with some types of planters.

I'm experimenting with a variety of hanging planters. One is a tube-shaped planter with holes on the side for the tomato to grow from. Itis specifically made for growing tomatoes as a hanging plant.

Here are pics of how I made burlap-lined hanging baskets.


I cut a large burlap bag in half. I was able to get two liners from one bag. After I cut the circle of burlap, I fit it in the planter and, using a heavy-duty needle and twine, attached the burlap to the upper rim of the planter.


Next I cut a circle of vinyl screen and fit it inside the brulap liner. This will add additional strength. In this pic, you can see the screening on top of the burlap. Instead of cutting holes in the burlap, I used a paintbrush handle to enlarge the area where I'll put the tomato plant through. By not cutting the burlap, I eliminate fraying. Of course, I cut the screening.


Here's how I put the plants through the bottom. I had many heirloom tomato plants started, which were anywhere from 6-12" in height. Leaving the plants in their containers, I wrapped a little piece of screening around them and tied each plant with a piece of string. Turning the plant upside down, I pulled on the screening and brought the plant through. Then I untied the screening and went on to the next plant. On the bottom of this planter, I've put in about 8 tomato plants. I could put more on top or I could put flowers on top for an even more attractive visual display.




Cher