<p>MIL has a nice sunny and warm, actually hot, patio but big and rough dogs, so no potted tomatoes on her deck. I was going to set up a typical hanging basket tomato planter until she saw some sort of a plant comes out of the bottom of the basket thing. Claims less and easier watering, which is good with the heat she has. Anyone have any experience with those upside-down tomato planters? Do they work?</p>
<p>I just saw a commercial for these and was wondering the same thing. This “basket” looked more like a wind sock. It appeared to be at least 4 feet long, with the basket and plant, so I don’t see how it would work in your situation, as it would be easier for the dogs to reach it.</p>
<p>My mom used one of those last year. It worked well for her and they do not hand real low, it just depends on how and where you hang it. It did produced quite a few tomatoes (unsure how many) and they were of decent size.</p>
<p>I think you would want to select a variety with smaller fruit - like a Roma or something. The plants are going to want to arch upward against gravity as they grow. Once there are several tomatoes on each branch, would the weight of the fruit pull down enough to snap the branches? I’m intrigued also…</p>
<p>I wondered about those last year. My husband has a large garden that he shares with a neighbor but with our weather (storms, hailstorms etc) last year they had to keep replanting it. I liked the idea of having a couple of tomato plants on the patio and was looking into the hanging things (I seem to recall they were pricey). mentioned them to my husband and her decided to plant some but, being Mr frugal, planted them in those big plastic containers cat litter comes in (which he has been saving hoping to find a use for them). They were not very successful, lots of plant & not much tomatoes. Don’t know if that was our weather or something to do with the containers (not much room for roots to spread? - I am clueless about gardening).</p>
<p>I love the flavor of home grown tomatoes and will eat tomato sandwiches when we do succeed. Can’t stand tomatoes from the grocery store, different texture and taste all together.</p>
<p>My coffee friend will try some this year. I plan to plant seeds this weekend.</p>
<p>my coffee friend?</p>
<p>O.K., I just found it. Ready for the commercial?</p>
<p>[Topsy</a> Turvy Hanging Tomatoes Official Site - Upside Down Planter](<a href=“http://www.hangingtomato.com/]Topsy”>http://www.hangingtomato.com/)</p>
<p>Thanks for that link Toledo. </p>
<p>After viewing it I see no real advantage over a typical hanging basket which I won’t have to hang so high making watering easier for MIL. Before the vines droop low enough to be at risk from the dogs I intend to weave some twine along them and tack that up to the porch beam letting the vine spiral up the twine, sort of a chandelier look.</p>