How to Make a Homemade Topsy Turvy Strawberry Planter
Like all my other fruits and vegetables in my container garden, I grow strawberries in a container. Years ago, I used to do this with a traditional strawberry pot. When my container garden started to get a little crowded, though, my containers were competing for space in the yard. I realized that the only way to go was up. People were growing tomatoes upside down, and I’d seen single strawberry plants in hanging baskets before…so I decided that I would grow strawberries upside down.
I make my own homemade Topsy Turvy strawberry planter. Why don’t I just buy a Topsy Turvy strawberry planter? Because I’m cheap. 
A Topsy Turvy brand strawberry planter is $15.99 online (locally, it’s $20). I make mine for less than $3 per planter.
The first year that I planted strawberries upside down, I made one crucial mistake: I used cotton fabric for the bags. That made me have to water more often. Now, I use vinyl.
To make your own diy Topsy Turvey strawberry planter, here’s what you’ll need to do:
- Cut a piece of fabric to create a tube that is about 8″ in diameter, and at least 12″ tall.
- Sew the side seam, and sew the bottom closed.
- Double or triple the fabric at the top, to create a strong hem, and sew that. Attach 4 rivets, spaced out, around the top hem.
- Fill the planter with potting soil.
- Use a very sharp blade to cut slits at staggered distances (think checker board, but with slits instead of squares).
- Stick the strawberry plants into the slits in the diy Topsy Turvy strawberry planter.
- Use strong hooks or a heavy gauge wire to hang the bag from its rivets.
- Water from the top, as needed.
Originally posted 2009-10-25 10:58:56. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
Great artical!
I was wondering where you got your supplies, like the vinyl fabric?
Thanks!
Jennilee
Jennilee(Quote)
Hi, Jennilee,
I live in a small rural town, and I get most of my stuff online. I got my landscaping fabric on Amazon, and I love it. It’s very high-quality.
Edible Container Gardening(Quote)
I really enjoyed your article. You’re right; building your own version of the topsy turvy planter is a better idea than purchasing a ready-made version.
My parents and I live in a shady suburban area in Richland, Michigan, and we have always wanted to grow a steady crop of strawberries.
The problem is we don’t really have enough sun.
Is it possible to use the hand-built topsy turvy planter indoors?
If so, that would be pretty convenient for us.
Thanks for your concern.
Caitlin Brooks(Quote)
What do you do with the plants when winter comes?
kj(Quote)
KJ, you just drag them to safety. Here in the south, I pull mine into the garage. In more northern climates where it freezes, I advise dragging them into the basement or garage.
Edible Container Gardening(Quote)
Hi, Caitlin,
Yes, they can be used indoors. Just hang them in a sunny window, and rotate the container 180 degrees every other day.
Edible Container Gardening(Quote)
Hey wow awesome idea! I made my own this year but just had the one plant coming out of the bottom, great idea to cut slits in it and have them grow out the side! I will definatly try this next year..
Nice not having to worry about slugs/ground critters
-Josh
Josh(Quote)
If they are hung in the basement over winter, how much/often do they need to be watered?
jack(Quote)
Great article will have to give it ago although not sure the strawberries will do well in my climate (living out in the Philippines at the moment). I just built some tomato plant container garden pots out of drain pipe which are starting to show signs of working.
Matt´s last blog ..Trusting staff with email can be damaging to your business in the Philippines
Matt(Quote)
I have two questions. Can’t I just use a garbage bag. I failed the euivalent of remedial sewing. Secondly, when you say put the plants in, is it little starters or seeds?
dani(Quote)
Dani,
Yes, I supposed you COULD use a garbage bag as a homemade topsy turvy strawberry planter, but you run a few risks:
1) Garbage bags are typically made of a material that doesn’t breathe. Unless you find a way to string it up with the entire open end open, you run the risk of root rot or other fungal diseases. Ew.
2) Garbage bags aren’t as tear-resistant as the fabric I suggested. So even if you manage to string it up with the top open, one good gust of wind would likely rip the bag and the whole kit and caboodle would end up on the ground.
3) Garbage bags tend to stretch, so when you water your hanging garbage bag homemade topsy turvy strawberry planter, it would put extra weight on the bag and make it sag and weaken.
When I say put the plants in, I mean seedlings. Not seeds. If you have seeds, start them off in small pots until they are full-fledged seedlings…then put them in the homemade topsy turvy strawberry container.
Edible Container Gardening(Quote)
Good article, thanks for sharing! I am gonna try this this year, if Spring ever gets to Washington state!!! Wondering what variety of strawberries has done the best for folks. I want ever bearing, but which ones?!?
Thank you, and happy growing.
Lisa
Lisa(Quote)
great idea! is there any way you can post a picture?
hk(Quote)
Great idea to cut slits in it and have them grow out the side! I will definitely try this next year.. |
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hunterX0506(Quote)
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