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Topsy Turvy Tomato Tree Update: Replacement bags available if you purchased one in 2009

April 12, 2010

                                                                                          Photo: S.Smith
The Topsy Turvy Tomato Tree - Summer 2009

Last year the Topsy Turvy Tomato Tree infomercial was all over the television which probably spurred many folks curious to try this wondrous way to grow tomatoes.

Despite the plants on TV being weighed down with super size orange and red tomatoes ( shades of makeover in the style of Meryl Streep's dreamy potager in "It's Complicated"), which seemed a bit suspicious, I bought one too.

It was actually my second one but this one looked new and improved so I had to try it as I described in two articles from last year.

Tomato Tree: The Upside of planting down

Tomato Tree Update: July 2009

As with any good thing, you want to spread the word which I did, only to be dismayed to find the grow bag ripped towards the end of one season. Fielding calls from disgruntled family members, I told them the original I bought several years ago is now in its fourth season with the bag still going strong.

Calling Topsy Turvy's customer service number last week they said 2009's production had a bad batch of grow bags and sent me replacement ones free.  So, if you bought a Topsy Turvy Tomato Tree last year and your bag is kaput, call Customer Service at 866-518-6165.

Other Notes on Topsy Turvy Tomato Tree

  • Last year's new and improved model was shorter which isn't as good because the plants grow so long they drag on the ground.
     
  • It is nice  that it swivels and is easier to move around for picking fruit and checking leaves.
     
  • Found that larger tomatoes didn't do as well or grow as large; the best option still seems to be growing cherry tomatoes especially as they so easy to see and pick and no stooping  or bending.
     
  • The grow bag (despite the infomercial and website description) had six holes for planting.  Only use three.  The bag is just not big enough to support six tomato plants. Update:  Received my grow bag replacements this week  and they are a thicker sturdier plastic. 
  • Incorporate some of tomato expert Cynthia Sandberg's tips on growing tomatoes in containers: bone and fish meal, aspirin, earthworm castings, humic acid, etc.  It's all good.

To purchase a new Topsy Turvy Tomato Tree in the Bay Area, find them for around $50 at Home Depot.

Comments

  • Margie 3 years ago

    Have seen the infomercial for these a thousand times and wondered if these really worked. This is a great review!

  • Missy 3 years ago

    Thanks for the info about the replacement bags! I was furious that I spent all that money on two trees and they went junk after one year. I called customer service at the number you provided and they were more than happy to take care of me!

  • Liz 3 years ago

    I was mesmerized by the concept of Topsy Turvy planters so I bought 2 Deluxe planters with metal stands. Like so many others, I was totally disappointed/upset as the bags only lasted one growing season. I called Customer Service at the number you provided and, bingo, they are sending out replacement bags. HOORAY! Thank you so very much for the information! I hope all who bought last year will contact Topsy Turvy Customer Service for their replacement bag(s).

  • KatKing 3 years ago

    After searching everywhere online for replacement bags for our Topsy Turvy Trees my husband found the above article, so I called the Customer Service number and they were more than happy to send us replacement bags. Thanks!!

  • Colleen 3 years ago

    I found your article and called customer service who said they would replace my bag for free. After waiting patiently for nearly 3 weeks they sent me the wrong product!! I called back that same day the wrong thing arrived and they said they would request the right item be sent, but told me it could be 4 to 6 MORE weeks! They made the mistake but I have to pay for it and the waitng game begins AGAIN! Needless to say I'm not so pleased with their service now!

  • Sonja Smith 3 years ago

    Colleen, that's not good. I wouldn't be very happy either. I received my replacement bags in 2 weeks. I just called them today. Not sure how deeply you went into this with them but the rep I talked with suggested you call again and ask them to pull up your order and they might be able to check the warehouse, see what's in stock and give you a better date than 4-6 wks.

  • Cyd M 3 years ago

    Thank you. My planter bags fell apart. Called the customer service # you gave and they are sending replacements.

  • satisfied customer in WV 2 years ago

    I purchased my topsy turvy 2 years ago and got two seasons out of the bag before it went kaput. I called the number above and Lynette helped me and I am now awaiting my replacement bag. Good customer service!!

  • Anonymous 2 years ago

    CANT FIND NUMBER FOR REPLACEMENT BAG FOR TOPSY TREE PLANTER

  • Anonymous 2 years ago

    ANYONE HAVE A NUMBER THAT I CAN CALL FOR A REPLACEMENT BAG FOR MY TOPSY TREE PLANTER OR AN EMAIL ADDRESS. CAN THE REPLACEMENT BAG BE PURCHASE?

  • Anonymous 2 years ago

    anonymous, here's the number: 9-i-a-m-a-n-i-d-i-o-t-0-0-0

  • Mary Johnson 2 years ago

    i had purchased 2 of the Topsy Turvy Deluxe stand in 2009-2010. They were the big ones, and the stands are great but the bags were worthless after just one years use. I spent alot of money on them, along with 2 of the strawberry ones, and they all went to pot in a year! Can I get the customer service number and get replacement bags also? Thank you for your help!

  • Profile picture of personsd
    personsd 2 years ago

    I just contacted Customer Service @ 866-518-6165 (the # from the article). They are sending me a replacement bag at no charge. Said it should arrive next week. No questions asked.

  • Profile picture of mandamoose
    mandamoose 2 years ago

    THANKS, BUT... Thank you SO MUCH Sonja Smith for posting this article. I too called and was told replacement bags would be on the way for my tomato tree. However, the rep told me they do not make replacement bags available to the public, not in stores anywhere. I find it hard to believe that a company selling a popular $50 item would not offer replacement bags. I will not purchase another topsy turvy stand with this in mind, so I guess I'll have to stick to the inexpensive, single-hole bags that you can just hang on a hook. Humph.

  • Tom 2 years ago

    Mandamoose,

    I got the same reply when I called customer service. No replacement bags available. I pushed the issue and asked her to escalate to someone who might know more. Turns out she was looking for replacement bags for the "Tomato Planter". Once I told her for the 3rd time that it's the "Tomato Tree", she was able to find the replacements in the system.
    If you have a tomato tree with a ripped bag, I recommend you call them again.

  • Anonymous 2 years ago

    I just called for replacement bags. i purchased 11 topsy turvys last year, kept them under the eves of
    the house, emptied dirt at end of season, kept them dry in dry garage on shelf, unusable this year at
    all. They are all rotted. i called Topsy Turvy, they will only replace 6 of the bags. I bought 11.
    This really upsets me as I feel I got cheated of 5 bags. Anyone have any suggestions.

  • Anonymous 2 years ago

    Sonja,
    THANK YOU for this article. I had the same problem with 4 of these Tomato Trees that I bought last year. The tomatos were delicious and a really good yield. At the end of the season I emptied the grow bags for storage. The bags pretty much crumbled - dried out from being in the sun.
    I just got off the phone with customer support. The girl had to do some searching, but she told me that they will ship me 4 replacement bags at no cost. She was confused at first because she was looking at the regular Topsy Turvy. If you call for replacement bags, make sure the CSR knows you are talking about the Tomato Tree.
    As long as they keep these replacements available, I have no problem buying more trees.

  • Donald 2 years ago

    I called Topsy Turvy for the third time today regarding a replacement bag for my tomato tree received as a gift last year. At first, I was informed that no replacement bags are available. Then, I was told that a few are available to customers who purchased the planter directly from Topsy Turvy. Next, an attempt was made to order one for me, but after providing all of the required information, I was informed that the item cannot be shipped to California. Now trying to figure out some use for the planter stand or simply take it apart and throw it away.

  • Steve 1 year ago

    Just called and they are sending me two replacements for free for the 2 planter trees I had. Really happy that they were not a waste of money. Thanks for the number.

  • Jean 1 year ago

    I called to get replacement bags from Topey Turvey last friday. They said that they would send me two. Today, Wednesday, not even a week later I check the status of my order and it says the order was cancelled. No e-mail to me or anything. I call customer service and they tell me they no longer make the replacement bags. Do I believe that? Not for one second!

  • Nancy 1 year ago

    I was just told that they are not allowed to ship to California due to Prop 65. Once again, our state screws us.

  • Kimberly 7 months ago

    just called about replacement bag they said i need to send old bag to them with name and address in bag and they would send me new bag. they said send to
    topsy turvy tomato tree
    300 returns road
    wALLINGFORD ,CT 06493

  • Loretta 4 months ago

    I have been trying to get a replacement tree bag since the end of January. I called the toll free number and they said they would send one free. I called to check on it April 9 and was told that my order was cancelled and they put an order in again. I called May 8, was told that the bag would be shipped and I would receive it within 7 to 10 days. I got a letter today saying that my order could not be filled. I called the number again and there was no order on file. They offered to reorder; but I am sure I won't get the bag. Disappointed!

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