I set out with good intentions: a new fangled way to maximize on space and grow tomatoes sans stakes. What I ended up with, now that tomato season is winding down, is a crop of sorry looking stems hanging out of some white plastic buckets.

Don't they look lush?

In recent months, my interest had been piqued by reading about these Topsy Turvy numbers (a friend even added one to her bridal registry). So, naturally, I figured that I could fabricate one that looked better than a bag on a stick (fail number one: my "planters" are uh-gly. But recycled!).
After asking around (and driving slowly past the back doors of bakeries and the like) I landed several five gallon plastic buckets. 

First, I cut out a hole in the bottom of the bucket (about 2 1/2’ in diameter).Then I laid strips of newspaper cris-crossing close to the hole.

Bucket supported underneath by bamboo poles- ready for plant insertion!

Carefully, I placed the little tomato plant (started from seed back in March), leaves first into the hole. I supported the root ball with one hand while I put more newspaper strips next to the stem inside the bucket so that the bitty plant wouldn’t fall out of the hole. I filled the bucket three-quarters of the way full with organic potting soil. Once the plant was stable and soil added I planted a few seeds of flowers and herbs on top to act as a green mulch, of a sort. I hung the buckets, using screw hooks and salvaged clips, in sunny locations and gave everything a thorough dousing of diluted fish emulsion (from Fifth Season).
To look at those “plants” now you would think that first watering was also their last. The tomatoes (and lone eggplant) shriveled in this summer’s blazing heat. Daily soakings might have helped but, really, who has the time? I did manage to coax a handful of cherry tomatoes from one plant but everything else went crispy.
Ah well, there’s always next year.

This gives 'sun-dried' tomatoes a whole new meaning

Anyone have success with upside-down veggies this year?
 

If you haven’t tried Relay Foods (formerly Retail Relay) yet, you are missing out on something awesome!

I may have mentioned the fact that I share a fridge and family meals with three hungry boys (two toddlers, one adult husband). These guys have the metabolisms of Hummers. Long gone is the bi-weekly grocery run. We now need to restock one to three times per week. This is where Relay (as it is referred to by its users and staff) saves the day.

My heroes (photo courtesy of Relay Foods)

The way Relay works is simple: you log on to their website, select from an extensive list of groceries (and gifts, cleaning supplies, etc.), pay with your credit card, select a pick-up location (or home delivery), then go get your necessaries in one easy trip. They even put the bags in your car (bring your own reusable totes for extra greenie points)!

The first time I placed an order I was pleased to finally have a reasonable and comprehensive way to support local businesses. Relay Foods is locally owned and operated and nearly all of its offerings come from local sources. Many of the City Market vendors offer their nibblies via Relay. You can even get Carpe Donuts (complete with instructions on warming them to meet red caravan standards)! If you don’t see what you’re craving on their list of goods you can always drop the Relay folks an email and they will get back to you when the item has been added. It works- I’ve done it.
There is no minimum order amount and there is no fee for the service (except if you are having your order delivered to your door). The prices are barely higher than your big chain grocer but your time-savings makes Relay beyond worth it! On the green side, you can’t get much more Earth lovin’ than one stop, local farm shopping.

For another option for exquisite local produce and beyond check out Central Virginia Specialty Crop Buyer's Club by contacting Mark Jones via email: mark@sharondalefarm.com.

Have you tried Retail Relay or another online grocery service?

*Update!*

Ceci (from Relay) just let me know that Relay Foods would like to offer Green Scene readers a discount of $10 off any order of $100 or more! Enter GREENSCENE in the coupon box during checkout. Hooray and thanks, Ceci!

The finds keep coming! I love thrift-shopping, as I am sure that I’ve mentioned before, and one of my favorite thrift activities is upcycling used clothing, especially t-shirts. In essence my definition of 'upcycling' is reworking some existing thing in a new and exciting way, giving it new purpose and value. Example: giant, baggy t-shirt sewn into flattering, funky top.
A choice local spot for all things donated (no, I won't give away my secrets!) offers t-shirts in wire bins at five for a dollar! Even if you just need some cotton rags, a twenty-cent double XL can go a long way. Usually, I gravitate towards the vintage, campy or just plain silly ones.

Once I get my T’s home I get out my dress form (from college fashion-class days), chalk and scissors. I draw a new neckline and eyeball the sleeve cuts. To make a shirt more fitted I will use straight pins to mark out haphazard darts, which I then stitch on my sewing machine.

T-shirt into halter-top

Derby-bout freebie altered

Not a t-shirt, obviously, but another way to alter a thrift store find

My favorite shirt of the moment is a bright blue number with “Holland” screen-printed in orange in its front. I cut a more flattering boxy neckline with a “v” back. I loped off the sleeves and stitched them back on so they are ruffled and poofy. Using a piece of the original neckline, I added a horizontal line through the open part of the back. Using my trusty dress form I was able to add what could almost pass for princess seams down the front. I top-stitched the added seams and cut off the remaining fabric leaving short, raw edges on the outside of the shirt. The finished top is fun, odd, and personal.

Altered 'Holland' t-shirt 

The key to any upcycling effort is to not let the original material become too precious. Yes, it may be one of a kind as it is but it won’t be fabulously unique unless you are willing to get messy. You may have to hack off pieces and cut holes in others. True, a shirt may become inappropriate for public display with one ill-measured snip so keep your vision flexible. In the end, even if you can’t wear your upcycled adventure as a shirt you can always use it as a headband, dog collar, purse, hat, belt, quilt square, framed art, wallet, pillow, stuffed animal, pot holder, book cover, or, of course, a rag.

If you would like to take a more directed approach to t-shirt mutilation check out this book. Or maybe I'll let you borrow the one I found the other day in the book bin at the Salvation Army...

99 Ways to Cut, Sew, Trim & Tie Your T-Shirt

Have you had any adventures in upcycling?
Repurposed any t-shirts?
 

Make your own dress form using duct tape and a willing friend: http://www.instructables.com/id/Duct-Tape-Dressform/