How to refurb a Topsy Turvy (old)

[Tinabean]

Hey gang,
Help me save my $40 investment in topsy turvy planters this past season.
The plastic and steel portions of the topsy turvy hanging tomato planter are FINE but the green plast wrapping around the exterior of the planters have completely deteriorated. Those buggers were $9.99 each and I can't see getting only one season of use from them......wasteful. Anyone have any ideas about what and how I can attach something to the exterior to keep the dirt in? Let me know, with detailed instructions, if you have figured out something.

My thought is to take a thick, plastic shopping bag and put on the INSIDE of the vertical canvas straps, cutting the hole in the bottom of the bag to allow the plant to come through the bottom and filling up with dirt. I guess I could tape some plastic around the outside to keep the canvas straps dry, too. Not sure if it would work....looking for your ideas.....

[freesiia]

I've seen folks use reusable handle bags. Cut a hole in the bottom of the bag for the plant, use the handles to hang the plant.

[NCyank]

You can spend time trying to repair it but it will cost you more time than it might be worth. If you are determined you could try a heavy bag or even cut up an old tarp.

Take a look at these ideas....growing tomatoes in buckets, here's some more buckets, and simply planting the tomatoes in bags of soil and hanging in a net!! All easy, potentially free (provided you scrounge some buckets) and will last years.

[Tinabean]

Hey gang....decided indeed the effort wasn't worth it so I learned a lesson......We planted 2 plants in a bag of soil and 28 plants directly into the ground. We will see if the bag-planted ones produce better tasting specimens than the "regular old way"........ wish us luck! Anyone reading this, use the bucket idea and don't waste $10 on a topsy turvy!