Is the plastic hard or a softer, pliable type. I would add extra suport.

I would cut a much larger hole in the hard plastic. A drill bit used to cut door knob holes would work. Just be careful not to Drill through the bag itself. follow the rest of the directions

If the hole in the plastic is cut smaller than the plants mature size it may cut into it.

Finaly, you could just remove it, and recycle it.

All of my "green" reusble store bags have a plastic insert at the bottom of them. Should I leave that in and also cut the X thru that? So as to keep all the dirt or plant from protruding too far through, or use the coffee filter idea instead without leaving the plastic insert in? Unfortuntely I made one and didn't keep the plastic insert in or use a coffee filter so I'm crossing my fingers there are no problems with it later in the season. Anyway, if anybody can let me know about leaving the plastic bag insert in the bag at the bottom let me know. Thanks!

What a great idea and money saver! I just bought one from my grandson's school fundraser and paid $10.

Comments I've heard suggest that getting the planter planted isn't always the easiest step for people, so here a little more detail on getting each plant safely through the X in the bottom of the bag:

1. Leave the super-sized tomato plants at the garden store and buy the smaller ones -- 6" to 8" tall is a good size. They will cost less, catch up and bear just about as soon (and often more generously), and getting smaller seedlings into the planter is MUCH easier.

When you are ready to plant your planter rest a single seedling on its side on a paper napkin. Gently gather and hold its leaves toward the growing tip (away from the roots) and against the stem, as you wrap the napkin around and around to make a compact tube (perhaps an inch thick). The napkin does not cover the roots at all, just the leaves and all but the very base of the stem. Carefully put the tip of napkin-wrapped plant through the X and work the rest of the tube through gently. Once the tube is all the way through unwrap and remove the napkin; the leaves will spring out again. Repeat for each plant.

And be sure to send pictures -- now and when your tomatoes are ripe!

Thanks for an earthy planter. I just refuse to buy those things. And this is cheaper. Can't wait to make one.

What a cool idea! Thanks so much for sharing the steps. I actually have a reusable bag from Wegman's covered in tomato pictures that would be fun to use for this.