"T" is for Topsy Turvy
For someone with a really nice big yard I just can't seem to grow veggies...
I've made beds for veggies several times over the past 7 years in different areas of the yard, but I have several critters who just love to get into them. They don't eat the veggies, they 'dig them up'.
The Armadillo come out in the night and dig for grubs and worms. There have been times I may have dozens of holes in the grass also..
Then there are the Turtles. They come up from the creek and lay eggs and
they just love a nice soft ground to dig. I'll tell you, twice now I would dig a hole to plant some new rose or something and disturb, without knowing, the new babies that have just hatched. All I could do was pick them up and carry them down to the creek. They also climb over wood fencing and don't tell me to cover the beds.. the larger critters like the Raccoon tear everything apart. So I've gone another rout.
The "Topsy Turvy" works wonderful.
Not having a large family to feed I only need two tomato plants and I hang it from a chain hooked to two huge Hickory trees that umbrella my house and deck.The deck may get about 4 hours sun and that is usually enough for the plants.
Also I have several planters on the deck with different veggies, micro lettuce and spinach, parsley and others... so I'm ready to pinch for salad any time. My herbs grow all year in pots here and I dry them for storage. I don't remember the last time I bought dried herbs? Normally when the weather chills off I'll bring the pots and planters into the house for the night. That usually saves them.
Along with Tomato plants I have herbs included in the side pocket/holes.
My Topsy Turvy has 6 spaces that I have filled with Tarragon, Sage and Thyme.
I use these three because they hang and will not get intertwined with the larger veggies.
Herbs are a large part of my Middle Eastern way of cooking. I use no salt and the herbs give the flavor needed. No meat will be found in my house except when Mr. N demands meat once every few months.. then I'll give him a pork chop... thats another story.
From the bottom hole I have two Italian Banana Peppers.
Two tomato plants, one cherry and one full size, have teeny green tomatoes blooming out.
Once I put in the plants and the potting soil that is all the work involved.
Using soil that continually feeds for 4 months leaves the only thing to do, water, depending on how hot it is outside I simply pour a gallon into the top hole and watch the excess come out the bottom.
Then sit back and watch it grow.
This is the second year I've used this same Topsy Turvy. It did not show any wear and tear from the previous year. I did wash and dry the Turvy and put away till this year.... For $9.99 I sure got my moneys worth.
This is my time of year.
Planting and watching Mother Nature do her thing!
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I'll be linking to
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12 comments:
I checked while at WalMart this morning and their sell for almost $20. I'm gonna look at Home Depot and Lowes. The one at WalMart only had the one hole in the bottom.
Hi Sandy, I guess you got your money's worth with the Topsy Turvy. I was always wondering if they worked or not, and you're proof positive they do. I like the way you combined your plantings in the same one, that's a great idea.
I've always wondered how well these things work. It's good to know they do! I'm not sure about our soil so we may need to try it out.
My local "Ocean State Job lot" has them for $5.00 I wonder if these stores are near yours?
This topsy turvy sounds prefect for us too! I saw one at wal-mart also...but like your other commenter...will check out some other places first. Thanks for sharing this...
Blessings & Aloha!
I need to see if I can find one of these here in Ontario.
What a great idea. I'll have to look on the west coast to see if I can find one. Our problem now is lack of sun, but if I could hang this in a sunny spot, I'd be in business!
That Topsy Turvy is terrific!!
=)
One could get really creative with one of these! The possibilities are endless!!
Hi Sandy, Stopping by from Alphabe~Thursday. I have two Topsy Turvey's for tomatoes and so far no tomatoes. I was having problems with leaf miners and now brown spots. Got any solutions? I have tried insecticidal soap and I think it has slowed down the brown spots and leaf miners but not totally.~Ames
I've seen these at Lowes and Home Depot. I have large raised beds on our back irrigated lot but my daughter-in-law is giving these a try this year. I wonder how they do here in the intense heat of the desert?
This was really an interesting post. I'm going to forward it along to her!
Thanks for the fun stop for Alphabet Soup!
A+
That is a great little garden you have there.
http://reesspace.blogspot.com/2011/04/alphabe-thursday-abcd.html
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