Upside Down Tomatoes And other container gardens

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Upside Down Tomatoes(And other container
gardens)
Kelsey McCollum Payne County Extension
Horticulture Specialist
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Gardening in Containers

• Great for small spaces
• Patio
• Balcony
• Window sill
• Doorstep

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Gardening in Containers

• Avoid soil problems
• Soil-borne diseases
• Nematodes
• Poor soil

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Gardening in Containers

• Mobile
• Easier for mature gardeners to maintain

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Gardening in Containers

• Attractive plantscaping
• Brighten dull corners
• Cascading varieties lend character
• Create cool shady areas
• Many container types - color, texture, form, size

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Containers

• Many possibilities
• Clay, wood, plastic, metal, or other materials

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Containers Clay and Wood

• Clay and wood containers have good air
  circulation, but dry out faster
• New clay should be soaked overnight to leach
  salts
• Glazed containers do not provide air circulation
  and may be heavier
• Cedar and redwood resist rot
• Use clay for xeric plants like cacti and
  succulents

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Containers Plastic

• Plastic containers are light, cheap, will not
  lose water through sides, but do not provide good
  air circulation.
• There is no one container type better than
  others! It depends on the situation.

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Containers can be almost anything, but

• Must be
• 1. Big enough to support mature plant
• 2. Have adequate drainage
• 3. Have not held toxic products

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Containers a few drainage details

• Should have adequate number of holes for good
  drainage.
• Not necessary to put gravel/rocks in pot
• Drainage is reduced when set on solid flat
  surface
• Use castors, wood, another pot to raise off ground

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Containers

• Size is determined by crop or plant grown
• Can be deep or shallow
• Deeper heavier
• Shallower dries out faster

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Upside-Down Tomatoes?!?!

• Pros and Cons
• Consider your situation

Upside Down Tomato Garden 80.00
Topsy Turvy 17.00
Home-made - cheap
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Other Unique Containers
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Potting Soil

• Lightweight potting mix is usually best
• Soilless mixes- best
• Soil mixes
• Do not use soil from garden

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Planting

• Fill container with damp soil mix to within 1/2
  inch from top
• Plant at same time as regular garden
• Plant by seed or transplant
• Transplants faster
• Seeds cheaper

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Watering

• Pay attention to watering
• Small containers dry out more quickly
• Daily or even twice daily may be necessary
• Apply water until it drains from holes
• Group pots together
• Consider automatic drip irrigation

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Fertilizing

• May need to fertilize every 2-3 weeks
• Use recommended rates!
• Water soluble vs. slow release

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General Care

• Inspect periodically for pests
• Protect plants from very high heat from
  reflective materials
• Protect plants during winter
• Plants may be moved during severe weather

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Container Gardening
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Container Gardening
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Container Gardening
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Happy Gardening!