Growing Tomatoes In Milk Jugs: We Have Tomatoes!

[keptyeti]

don't eat them all in one sitting... or maybe do that. Yes just go ahead and do that.

[strive4impact]

@keptyeti :) This year we'll be using 5 gallon buckets... on the ground... and letting the plants grow right side up. :)

[Illchangeitlater]

So are the tomatoes full cream or 2% LOL! Great idea, but I've grown larger tomatoes in much smaller planters, maybe the upside down thingy isn't so great if you wan allot of fruit??? It sure looks cool though:P

I would personally cut the top of the jug of and just plant them right side up. Add some compost tea, bunny doodoo or any other fertilizer every month or so. I've been growing allllloooot of cherry tomatoes and bell peppers in 5" flowerpots in a totally shaded balcony for years.

[strive4impact]

@Illchangeitlater Definitely skim. I wonder actually if a little milk would help them grow or just attract bacteria. :) I would definitely do them right side up next time, but was definitely fun to try as an experiment! Do you have pictures or video of your tomato pots? Would be fun to see.

[Illchangeitlater]

@strive4impact I only have pictures, I can send them to your emailadress if you want ;)

[strive4impact]

@Illchangeitlater That would be awesome! Will PM you my email address.

[strive4impact]

@WaNPmedia You're welcome! If I were to do the same thing today, I would use 5 gallon paint buckets. The tomatoes were small in the milk jugs because they didn't have enough soil.

[indiag89]

this is awesome...i love the idea of growing my own veggies and want to try it.

[strive4impact]

@indiag89 Go for it! I now recommend 5 gallon buckets... of course a garden plot is best, but if all you have is a hanging space, use an old 5 gallon paint bucket and heavy duty wire.  Thanks for your positive comments.

[broadwayFan28]

5 gallon jugs are the MINIMUM. I tried the milk jug tomatoes and got no tomatoes. In the 5 gallons buckets I get a few, the commercial guys who monitor it 24/7 do well. Best to get a $5 plastic box, 18-20 gallon and plant TWO tomatoes. See Earthtainer videos if you want to get fancy.

[MimiZ914]

I also learned recently that tomato plants don't like being handled by the main stem. Handle and plant them holding onto the leaves. I was surprised by this. It appears the oils off your hands does something to the protective covering of the main stem. I use gloves as I sometimes lay them down and plant them a bit sideways to allow more roots to spring forth the main stem.

[kokonutbaby1]

u can also plant some marigolds or pansies seeds on the top for nice color and u can eat pansie flowers.

[YuorDmub]

Hey the 5 gallon bucket idea is good im doing it now . I will make video and show you what it looks like.

[strive4impact]

@YuorDmub Awesome. I look forward to seeing it.

[x11115]

neat idea i enjoy it.. one thing though wouldn't they do better upright?

[strive4impact]

The tomatoes would probably grow better upright... but if you don't have space, this is a good alternative.

:)

[MimiZ914]

I use the bigger containers as they allow the tomatoes to have more space for their root system. You could probably use the milk jugs OK for things like patio tomatoes and if growing in the mild jugs, you need to prune the plants and trim all limbs sprouting in the "crotch" or V section of branches forking out. Don't let them get "leggy" as it's a waste of growing space.

[strive4impact]

That's great advice.  Thank-you!

[MimiZ914]

i grew some in the bigger containers like he suggested. They do better, make sure you have holes drilled in the bottom and I used a plastic saucer to sit them in which helps if you have to leave for a couple of days. Also FYI tip to get the bees to pollinate: add drops of honey on the plant when just starting out and you'll have plenty bees to pollinate. Go ORganic, the only way, Works great.

[strive4impact]

Interesting tip about getting bees to pollinate. Did you use 5 gallon containers or...?

[strive4impact]

@MimiZ914 GREAT Tips!!!

[pyogazel]

Thanks for the update :o)

[strive4impact]

Definitely. Thanks for watching and commenting. Did you make your own milk jug tomatoes too?

Warmest,

Jonathan

[pyogazel]

I had but they died when we went on holiday :(

It was an interesting experiment though, space-management wise, I'll try it again next spring with bigger containers and some kind of self watering system...

[strive4impact]

Nice. Would love to see some pictures!