Grow Tomato Plants In Milk Jugs: Growing Apartment Tomatoes

[kfc903]

Do you know if those milk jugs are made with bisphenol A or PET? Wouldn't that be hazardous if it were in the sun for a long period of time and possibly contaminate your plant?

[strive4impact]

@kfc903 Don't know. Was 2 1/2 years ago and the milk cartons are long gone. Interesting point though.

[DroPsyDro]

@kfc903 Solar water disinfection, also known as SODIS is a method of disinfecting water using only sunlight and plastic PET bottles.SODIS is a free and effective method for decentralized water treatment, usually applied at the household level and is recommended by the World Health Organization as a viable method for household water treatment and safe storage.... wikipedia

[BackyardDiscoveryCo]

Wonderful idea.

[strive4impact]

@BackyardDiscoveryCo Thanks! Next time I would cut the top and bottom off a second milk jug because the plants really need more root space... or maybe find some 5 gallon buckets.  We got fewer tomatoes than we should have and I think it was just due to the limited amount of soil.

[Coolboyert123]

You know you could have done that in a tub. Which wouldn't make much of a mess and make it easier to clean!

[strive4impact]

@Coolboyert123 That makes sense and is a good idea. Sounds like a good idea for next time!  I'd also use 5-gallon buckets instead of 1 gallon milk jugs.

[TheIkawatay]

Milk flavored tomatoes. WHY NOT?

[strive4impact]

@TheIkawatay Not sure if that's sarcasm, but you rinse out the jugs before use.

:)

[nocount1]

Doesn't the water drain out of the jugs?

[strive4impact]

@nocount1 Some, yes... that's why it's outside. I toyed with the idea of hanging the bottom of the milk jug (the part I cut off) under the upside down milk jug, but never got back to it.

[ellie3637]

did it produce any fruits? if so, did you make a video or take pictures? If so, would you please share them with us?

[strive4impact]

@ellie3637 Yes, they did grow tomatoes. I made a follow up video which is here on YouTube. In short, here is what I learned - use 5 gallon buckets (instead of 1 gallon containers). 1 gallon is too small and there is not enough root base to grow lots of tomatoes. Also make sure to keep the bucket well watered. But yes, this does work to produce tomatoes.

[matthewdiscovery1]

Could I use peanuts or potatoes plants?

[strive4impact]

@matthewdiscovery1 I don't know how peanuts, but potatoes grow under the soil, so I don't know how that would work. If you used 5 gallon buckets, you might be able to grow cucumbers or maybe green beans?

[growingdollar]

I would hate to clean up that mess...

[strive4impact]

@growingdollar It wasn't too bad. Worked out fine and was pretty easy to clean up.

[growingdollar]

@strive4impact I know I was just giving you a hard time. Great video though by the way, deffinately going to try doing this next year.

[strive4impact]

@growingdollar Thanks for giving me a hard time. :) Thanks for the compliment and hope you make a video of your experience! Use a tripod if you do... it helps a lot. Also I recommend 5 gallon rather than 3 gallon buckets.

[bsulayman]

Thanks so much for this video..you explained it really well

[strive4impact]

@bsulayman You're welcome. Thanks for the compliment. Think you'll make your own? If so, I recommend 5 gallon buckets instead of 1 gallon milk jars.

[kooldaug]

fuck this, it looks hella ugly too.

[strive4impact]

@kooldaug Nice to meet you too. Great first introduction.

[kooldaug]

@strive4impact well, if your havin some friends over and they see paint pots hanging outside then ye it does look stupid im afraid, its my opinion at the end of the day.

[strive4impact]

@kooldaug You're welcome to your opinion. Absolutely. Sorry the video wasn't more helpful for you. I now would recommend 5 gallon buckets anyway, as the 1 gallon buckets don't let the tomatoes grow as big as they should/could.

[CherryLunar]

This is a very good idea! Especially for people who live on the third floor of their apartment building like myself.

[strive4impact]

@CherryLunar Hey Cherry! Glad it's helpful for you! I have now learned that 5 gallon buckets are a better idea than milk jugs... if you can get them from painters or hardware stores, or even a city dump.

[keeelane]

i can't eat tomatoes

[strive4impact]

@keeelane Why?

[keeelane]

@strive4impact i get acid reflux

[strive4impact]

@keeelane That's a bummer. Tomatoes are good. Sorry you aren't able to eat tomatoes, but you might be able to if you lower your body's overall PH with other foods. One thought... try spinach. Raw spinach. I don't know what the cause of your acid reflux is, but spinach and especially greens like kale can be very good for rebalancing the body's PH and helping with acid reflux. We really like kalecado salad... kale, avocadoes, and cashews. Yummy.

[WVliberty]

thats neat man good video, people need to be more self sufficient

[strive4impact]

@WVliberty Agreed. People really should look into ways they can grow at least a little bit of their own food.

[hooplehead2]

hot tip for u hold planter in left hand and hold a milk jug u didnt cut the bottom of full of water in your right hand and pour and hang

[strive4impact]

@hooplehead2 Thanks for commenting! I'm not sure I understand your tip though... Can you explain further?

[JHVH1]

@strive4impact I think he was saying use an uncut jug to pour water into your planter, grabbing one in each hand using the handle.

[strive4impact]

@JHVH1 Gotcha. That makes sense.

Thanks for clarifying!

[khaltubibi]

@hooplehead2 I thinkin he's trying to hold the camera with his left hand.

[MHNProject]

Great video. I'm curios though, does any soil come out through the bottom ( the top of the milk jug where the lid is)?

[strive4impact]

@MHNProject When I first did this, yes, but after the first watering, wasn't a problem.

[jfsfrnd]

This is great. I was wondering how you got the plant in there. Good explanation. Thanks.

[strive4impact]

@jfsfrnd Glad it was helpful to be able to see! I recommend using an old 5 lb. bucket and heavier wire... you'll get much better tomatoes.

[jfsfrnd]

@strive4impact Yeah. Those milk jugs would be good for smaller plants like peppers. I have a small porch with an area above to hang plants on 8 x 8' posts. My neighbor is using bungie cords which fit around nicely and have the hooks to attach a hanging planter. This is a great idea to get some plants in the air to leave space on my porch for my other potted plants.

[safiyablu]

great! love that you are recycling and growing food on the cheap...keep up the good videos,,now does the weight of the soil and water ever make the hanging wires come a loose?

[strive4impact]

@safiyablu I fastened the wires really good, but yes, if you don't do a lot of twisting, I think you could end up with tomato planters on the ground. Thanks for your compliments!

[atlantalesa2009]

he says actually alot. Good video :)

[strive4impact]

@atlantalesa2009 Thanks for the compliment on the video. I do actually say actually a lot actually. Probably actually too much. Ah well. :)

[seankendig]

Hey what alsome I idea holly shit your a smart man o my god you think that would work with sodas bottles and soda cans and thing like that

[lindageldard]

Marvellous. You can paint the milk jugs a nice colour too. Then they don't look too poverty stricken out on the balcony or the fence. But. my goodness, you really are messy. However, it will be worth it in the long run. Thank you for the cheerful instructions.

[kokonutbaby1]

I think id wind up breaking my plants esp the tomatoes..as for u hanging them up off that balcony looks high up and risky to me, one false move ...splat! lol

[spookedjunglist]

Next time hang plants first and then water while they hang outside. Should be easier and less chance breaking plants.

[Ohwellthan]

Wow, what a great I idea you just save me $10.00 from the potted upside down planter in home depot and the only grow tomatoes.

[macrumpton]

You could also do this in the shower, and then you could hang the jugs from the curtain bar while waiting to fill and from the showerhead while you are filling.

[macrumpton]

I wonder if you could cut the bottom of the milk jug in such a way as to make a hanging loop instead of cutting the bottom off completely, so you could do without the wire.

[anandsny]

gud ...utilising empty gallon...

roll d plant in newspaper ..that will help slide the plant out ..

thanx for sharing

[JulieRooney]

Very helpful - I can't wait to try it!

[squint1222]

that's pretty cool now I know how to utilize my fence cause I can hang them off there too to double my veggie output, thanks for the video very informative and my kids love it too.

[pyogazel]

Now that's something different! Doesn't the water drip from the opening when you water them? And how does the plant bear growing upside down? I'm curious about hte outcome... Thank you for sharing it's really interesting :o)

[strive4impact]

It does drip a little, and I think we'll have to water them everyday (or twice/day) as we get into the warmer summer weather (and drier Colorado summer weather), but I think it will turn out well. We'll see though. I'll definitely make a follow up video when we start getting tomatoes. We're already getting flowers and buds though, so that's good.

Thanks for watching and commenting!