After having a few tomato workshops around the area we have received an abundance of calls about making upside down tomatoes. This is a relatively easy process I learned from Adams County Master Gardener president Beth Dudley that most of you can do at home.

Here are the supplies you will need: 5 gallon bucket with lid, 1 bag of potting soil, roll of 1-inch thick foam padding, scissors, 2-inch drill bit, rope or chain with 30 pound carry load, vegetable plant.

The hardest part is the beginning; I recommend you have a partner help you if possible. Start by getting a drill capable of drilling about a two inch hole. Drill a hole in the center of the bottom of the bucket and the lid. Be careful when doing this, the bucket will spin if not secured when drilling. Place it between your feet or have your partner hold it to prevent it from moving.

If possible hang the bucket down to waist level from something overhead so you can easily work inside the bucket. You can also take two tables and place them about 6 inches apart and place the bucket on top of the tables with the bottom hole in the middle of the two tables.

Using your partner, work the plant through the bottom hole. Be careful when working leaves and stems through the hole, the rough edge can cut them. It helps to cut a four-inch piece of foam and cut a slice in the middle to use as a collar in the bottom of the bucket to help hold the plant and soil in the bucket. The plant should be placed in the middle of the hole to prevent rubbing on the cut edges in the future. When planting tomatoes bury the root ball and up to the first set of leaves. One person will hold the root ball while the other begins to fill the bucket with soil. Once the entire root ball is covered and softly packed down. Take the 1-inch thick foam padding and cut out a circle a little smaller than the size of the bucket. Place the foam pad on top of the soil, the bucket should be about one thirds full at this point.

Next continue to fill the bucket with soil until about two thirds full, tamp down with hand pressure. Then place another piece of cut foam on top of the soil at this level. Finish up by filling up the rest of the bucket with soil up to about an inch from the top. Put the lid with a hole in it on top and you are good to go!

Be sure to hang it in an area that will receive full sun and a location that will support its weight for several months. It needs to be watered thoroughly twice a week through the hole on top.

This low maintenance design will help eliminate most of the pests, diseases, and problems we face growing tomatoes. It is also great for those of you wanting to be organic. I recommend you use a potting soil mix with fertilizer added to reduce additional fertilizer requirements. You can use any variety of tomato, the resistant varieties like Celebrity or Better Boy work great. Planting upside down also works for cucumber, eggplant, peppers, or squash. Be sure to let the kids help out!

Some of you may be concerned about the look of buckets hanging around your house. If so, drill some extra holes in the side of the bucket and plant full sun flowers in them. This will put a little more color into your new garden design.

David Carter is the director of the Adams County Extensions Service. He can be reached at 601-445-8201.