Topsy Turvy

05/14/2009
The Topsy Turvy is an upside down hanging planter for herbs and vegetables. I bought this two weeks ago. It was very easy to use, however I wish I had read the directions before I bought my tomato plant. The directions state to get a plant with a stem smaller in width than a pencil, I bought a larger tomato plant than the directions called for and the dirt and root ball was too large to fit into the hole in the bottom of the Topsy Turvy. I had to squish and maneuver the roots to get through the hole then lock the sponge around the stem to hold it in place. Actually I found it a little difficult to get everything together, but that may have been my fault, I had the unit hanging on the side of my porch and it was awkward to reach the bottom. Hindsight 20/20 I should have just laid the Topsy Turvy on its side on the porch and set everything up that way, would have been much easier. When I buy my other Topsy Turvys I will be sure to do that. My wife loved the idea so much that she wants me to get a couple more for cucumbers and maybe peppers. I can tell that the plant is growing because it started out pointing straight at the ground, now it has curved up toward the sun in just a couple days. I turn the Topsy Turvy every now and again to make sure it grows evenly. Another thing I like about the Topsy Turvy is the fact that it is reusable. At the end of the summer you just have to pull the plant out, dump out the dirt, clean out the bag, and store it for next year. I am excited to see the results this summer and need to hurry and get my cucumbers planted. I found nice hangers at Lowes that I can just screw into my porch and they hang at just the right height. I give the Topsy Turvy a 5 out of 5 with the right to amend my rating if the plants don't produce (of course that could be my fault as well). I have been watering it methodically though!

05/27/2009
I have another Topsy Turvy now, this one has a cucumber plant in it. I got everything ready on the porch before I hung the Topsy Turvy to add the fertilizer and it was much easier. I had to modify the sponge by making a few extra small cuts because my cucumber plant had three small plants in it. Now my 2 week old tomatoes have grown quite a bit and already have a bloom which makes me happy (happy they are going to live). My cucumber plant is starting much smaller than my tomato plant, so I hope it grows quickly once the weather gets a little warmer. Again I still give the Topsy Turvy a 5 out of 5. One fair note of warning though, make sure your hanger is FIRMLY attached and can stand some wind. My first hanger ripped off my porch during high winds and nearly crushed the tomato plant (my new hanger has four screws instead of two and should withstand the wind a lot better.)

As Seen On TV on CNBC

On Wednesday April 22 CNBC aired a special called "As Seen On TV." Darren Rovell is the host and he interviews management from Telebrands, AllStar Marketing, and classic pitchmen like Ron Popeil and Billy Mays. It was a very interesting show that touched on many aspects both in front of and behind the camera. The special displayed many products and informed viewers of interesting details like at one chain drugstore the PedEgg sold more units than Snickers bars in one month. The more I think about that the more it astounds me, a $10 product that makes your feet soft sells more units than a $.75 candy bar that is prominently displayed next to the cash register. Check out the re-air on CNBC when it's on.

As Seen On TV Special on CNBC