10 Clever Hacks for Plastic Bottles in the Garden💡
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- čas přidán 19. 05. 2024
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No one likes the waste that comes with throwing away old plastic bottles. So press them into service in the garden. They have a surprising number of uses!
In this video, we’ll show you how you 10 ingenious ways to repurpose plastic bottles into handy garden tools, containers and more!
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Heatbatteries for cold nights (spring and autumn). Fill bottles with water. Spraypaint one side (sun-facing side) with black color. Lay them between the temparatursensitive plants to absorb sunlight on the day and radiate heat in the night.
A lady at my allotment made the plastic bottle greenhouse last year. I'd never heard of it before but it really was the most marvelous thing to see.
I live in an exposed location in the north of Scotland but have, with the help of husband, built and successfully used a plastic bottle greenhouse over 10 years. Apart from an occasional plastic bottle it’s needed only minor repair over the years. I get a lot of pleasure from it.
That super to hear. You must have built it well to withstand the windy weather!
@@GrowVeg that is thanks to the husband. There is no way he wanted the embarrassment of plastic bottles blowing away and up the hill after a winter gale.
@@janiceannal5614
Embarrassment is the mother of invention...or something like that.
😉😄😄😄😄😄👍🏻
I've never even heard of a bottle greenhouse, and you've had one for 10 years! I need to do some research on this fascinating concept.
For Jay tee, necessity is the mother of invention. If I find the plans I will post a link.
😍Would Love to see this.. soo cool..😌👌🏼
My little Italian grampa, who I adored, taught me everything I know about gardening. We used clear garbage bags that we put over a tomato cage so the bottom is facing up. You then bury the ends so we used much larger, 30 or 40-gallon bags so there was length to bury the ends and room at the top so you could cut a half circle in the top section. This created a small greenhouse and on really sunny days you can open them a bit. I use clothes pins to keep the flap closed at night or on days with no sun. This gives each plant like tomatoes or any other plant you want to get a head start on. I had ripe tomatoes by May each year. Last year I got a late start but was eating tomato, and mayo sandwiches in the middle of June. We reused the bags by cleaning them thoroughly and hanging them open to dry. Of course, the bags are not as thick as the ones we used to be able to get and are a lot more expensive than they were in the 70s and 80s. I got 6 years out of my last set of bags and bought a new set last fall. You can get heavy-duty bags still, but you have to get them from industrial supply houses such as Grainger here in the States. I got my tomato plants in the ground this year the last week of Feb. I have been picking sweet grape tomatoes for my salads for the past week. I have another plant of beef stake tomatoes that I picked two this past weekend. I also plant in secession, so I have a steady supply of tomatoes and other plants all summer long into fall. I usually plant every two weeks to keep them coming steadily instead of one big harvest. It is just myself now so I do plant a lot less than when my spouse was alive. Anything I have in abundance goes to a couple of older relatives and neighbors who no longer can plant a garden. My grampa told me to always plant more than I will need to give to others who no longer can plant for themselves and to the poor. He was funny, loving, and a very smart, soft-spoken man. He spoke a little English, which is amazing he was able to build a successful business with so little English and a 6th-grade education. Gramma spoke a little more than him and taught me Italian from the time I could speak. My first word was in Italian, lol. Both were wonderful grandparents and truly beautiful souls. They are deeply missed.
Your grampa sounds like a real gentlemen. And how incredible to be enjoying tomatoes so early - that brilliant!
I use old dish soap bottles for watering seedlings - the lid is either a flip lid or one of those dealies that you pull to open, nice control for the wee plants.
Smart move Karin.
Oh that's such a good idea, thanks so much for posting this
Not for the garden but I use them filled with water to make up freezer space . Not only does this maximise efficiency it also means in the event of a power cut food will keep frozen longer or if a water complication arises it’s there.
Yep, saves on the electric bill for sure!
Excellent
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Haha I started freezing bottles of water to melt slowly to drink in the hot weather, but now I use them for my coolbox . They melt much slower than usual ice packs, and when out and about wrap a towel round them and use them to cool down or for inflammations!
I have a big chest freezer that it's difficult to reach the bottom with a bad back, and it's difficult to rotate food. Years ago, I filled washed gallon milk jugs about 3/4 full with water, capped them loosely, and lined the entire bottom with them. I left an inch between them for cold air circulation, and put a heavier weight cardboard on top, with another gap around the perimeter. Not only can I reach everything, I waste less food and my freezer runs less because its always full. It's extra insurance when the power goes out too; I throw an old comforter on top and don't open it. Yes, I'm not utilizing the entire storage capacity for food, but I think the trade offs are worth it. I only wish I had done it sooner.
The bottoms of those types of bottles NEVER stay standing; never fails that they'll fall over. I use yogurt cups. And, as far as plant labels go.....old plastic mini blinds are the way to go! Just ONE mini blind will yield SO MANY; they really are an 'endless supply'. BONUS: KEEP the blinds pull cords and the 'string' that holds all of the slats together and use those to 'tie up/off' things in the garden.
Love - absolutely love - the mini blinds tip. Nice one!
I put sticks in mine
thanks for that tip, nice way to reuse the one old mini blind that im replacing this week
THE PLASTIC BOTTLE GREENHOUSE IS SO INGENIOUS I NEVER SAW ANYTHING LIKE THAT BEFORE 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏
I love the fruit picker idea!!I also love the greenhouse made out of bottles!!
rrh
Your greenhouse idea is something I like very much. Getting a steady source of bottles is very doable.
A section of these would work great for a cold frame.
The green house is a terrible idea, the bottles are not uv protected, will crumble after 2 years.
Decades ago, my brother in law used milk plastic containers in his garden around his tomato plants for watering them during the hot summer months. His tomatoes were huge and everyone wanted to know what he was feeding them to get them so big. He showed them the milk bottles with water and they were awed!
I used the 1/2 gal milk bottle for a scoop before but the plastic was too flimsy. Maybe years ago, they had more plastic in the bottle to do it but not anymore.
I loved that greenhouse!! What a great idea. I loved all your ideas! Thank you.
Great to hear the bottles brought about such superb results with this tomatoes. :-)
I saw another CZcams gardener use the lids as spacers between nesting pots to keep them from getting stuck together. I use that idea now too.
I use a bottle w/o the ld as a funnel for filling my TP tubes with soil. It makes for less spillage between tubes.
I LOVE your fruit picker idea! I am going to try that. Thank you for all of the great ideas.
Thanks for those extra ideas Sandy - great ones. :-)
Fill large empty plastic bottles with water and use to weigh down fleece and mesh covers. They don’t tear the fabric like bricks do. I’ve just discovered your channel and I’m enjoying catching up with your videos. I’ve had an allotment for nine years but it just goes to show that there is always something new to learn and try in gardening!
It's so true - the more you learn, the more you realise there is so much more to learn! Great use for the bottles. :-)
Great idea!
I also fill clear plastic bottles and place by heat living plants to act as mini heaters and wind breaks until weather warms up!
Nice one, my bricks did tear the fleece, so thank you very much!
1 Put bottles on canes to prevent eyes being pokes
2 As above to keep nets above growing plants
I use wine bottle corks to top canes. I have seen snail shells used in the same manner.
I use plastic bottles for a lot of seedlings AND for cloning my plants. Being able to see the roots without disturbing them is priceless
True ! Being able to see what's going on is a big plus.. Good idea 💡.. I have black pots and have no clue what's going on under the soil lol
I start my seeds in small, clear plastic party cups from the dollar store. Then move them into the same in large. Reuseable too.
@@patriot20000 I'm not willing to spend more money on more plastics when I already receive more plastic than I like when ordering groceries. Just upcycle that stuff, no need to buy more plastic that will only get a few uses.
@@Grumpah I don't buy anything that comes in plastic bottles other than laundry detergent. So I don't have anything to upcycle. My plastic cups have lasted for Years. A couple have a piece of packing tape where it got a crack in the side. But that's about it.
@@patriot20000 That is my issue. I never buy any drinks in plastic. I distill my own drinking water, and don't buy sodas or juices, so I have no plastic bottles. I use plastic cups for my seedlings and reuse them each year.
Another advantage of the bottle irrigator is that you water your plant, not your weeds. If you're in the middle of an exceptional drought (the driest level), they won't last long without water. Also, a tip for the self-watering planter...stick the wick through the lid, then screw it on...much easier!
Haha - I genuinely hadn't thought of that - great tip!
I was thinking the same thing.
AHH! I wanted to make a cold frame and I was going to try and obtain an old window from a firm that refurbishes houses in our neighbourhood but now I will simply make the top out of canes and PET bottles. BRILLIANT! Thank you!
I’ve been stumped with an alternative to the very pricy cold frames I’ve seen and you have just solved the problem for me! Thank you!
Love the cold frame idea! Do you think silicone caulk between the rows of bottles for extra stability and water control would be needed?
I made an addition to my hot house using packing pallets, I use the solid inner timber and cut it to 40mm x 40 mm to make the frames and then used bought timber for the roof and purchased plastic film from a nursery store.
I love your channel, it's always so full of great tips, and has really encouraged me to give veg growing a go. You should have your own TV show.
Thanks Linda, that’s very kind of you to say.
Linda...Get on it! Food is supplies are getting tight. Greetings from Ireland.
On my self-watering pots, but I had to be careful not to make them top-heavy with the soil, so I used 2 litre containers that were lower and wider. I also made a few snips at the top of the water reservoir so the top would sit down into the bottom. I have a terrible time forgetting to water my indoor houseplants, so this helps me keep them alive!
I love the watering can bottle... I'll be adding one to my greenhouse (once I've built it).
The plastic bottle green house is an amazingly simple idea that should be encouraged
Love the self watering container! The plant tags are something I’ve been doing for years and they work well. Reduce, reuse, recycle! Blessings...daisy
I use old plastic blinds mini blinds and cut them into strips for plant tags.
Another drip irrigator: Put a nail hole in the bottom of the bottle. Put your finger over it and fill bottle with water from your rain barrel. Screw on top. Carry to garden and place right side up where you want to drip. Unscrew cap to adjust drip amount. Rather than bury bottom, put stick in ground and tether bottle to it so that it doesn't blow away when empty.
Great idea Jack!
Sir, you have impressed this old woman. I would have never thought of those ideas for plastic bottles. I just found you & subbed to your channel & I'm looking forward to learning more practical ways of doing things, instead of filling our landfills, & oceans. This is manifested by excess waste that takes eons to get rid of, if ever, is killing wildlife & sea life, & if it continues, it will kill us. Thank you for sharing these clever ideas. Makes me think you've been gardening for quite awhile.
Thank you for watching Annette, it's appreciated - and thanks for the sub! :-)
So happy to hear Drawing Pins in place of thumb tacks! Lol! Btw...my cucumbers are flowering...2 x females! ✌😁
Fingers crossed you'll be enjoying cucumbers very soon!
The scoop idea is genius for using with ice melt in the winter! 👍🏼
I cut plastic bottles into rings and placed them around small brassica plants to protect them from cutworms. Using the cloches effect like you showed also works well.
Oh that's very good, thanks!
The 1st use for sinking bottle next to plant is one I use frequently, but there is a downside! I have found many a bee that has drowned in any undrained water. To combat this I put a few holes in the bottom of the bottle that has been removed I then replace that into the (Old bottom, new top) of the bottle so that a little of the water will remain in this but not enough to drown the bees. I do use bottles that are quite heavily dimpled at the base so I just put a hole in three of the five dimples which gives two little pools for the bees to drink. Please consider the bees.
Brilliant tip Pam, thanks so much.
I place some grass cuttings or weeds inside these bottles which will float to help prevent flying insects from drowning but also eventually breakdown into a liquid feed...
Great point!
Thank you for this brilliant idea to save the bees, also will help in saving other small creatures ❤️
@@StefNoci What a jolly good idea ,thanks for the tip!
Recycling plastic bottles to build a greenhouse is great! I am currently using the middle portion of plastic bottles -- cutting off the top and bottom -- to give initial support to tall plants such as snake plants when repotted
They're very handy aren't they. :-)
I've also used the bottoms of bottles in the base of hanging baskets to act as a reservoir, so far has worked very well for my lettuce, in the hanging baskets. The top bits of the bottles I've used as cloches and frost protection. I thought the many bottles on a cane for a greenhouse was great, and also a good way to store / put them to alternative use over winter.
Using the bottle bottoms in hanging baskets is a great idea - I may try that one myself, thanks!
Wonder if opaque bottles or green bottles would work as well as clear bottles?
Thanks for that suggestion and wow lettuce in hanging baskets, foiling the dreaded slugs FAB.
How do you top up the reservoir though, if it’s in a hanging basket? Or am I missing something obvious?
Fantastic information, thanks Ben. When I was young my Dad used 1/2 gallon glass flagons . He would put a large nail inside the flagon, shake it quite vigorously and it would break the bottom out of the flagon very cleanly. Then place it over new plants to act as a mini glasshouse and protect them from slugs a snails.
That's a great idea. I've heard of filling the bottom of a flagon with boiling water to crack off the bottom - but not the nail trick.
@@GrowVeg what is a flagan?
@@VWilt-so3ws it is a jug
@@VWilt-so3ws some people call them bell jars? What you use for making home-made wine
Wow,a plastic bottle greenhouse.🤗
Amazing!❤
Thank you for the reminder. All of these are years old on a few different East Asia gardeners who receive our world's "recycling:.
I love the self watering. I use them for small plants until ready to transfer to the garden. I use worn out cotton clothes for the wicks ;)
I won’t look at plastic bottles the same either. Wow!! Great ideas!! And that greenhouse. 😳
Great ideas. I use plastic bottles to put over bamboo canes which is then covered with enviromesh to stop making holes in the mesh. The same with fleece in the winter.
And I've stuffed rolled corrugated cardboard into hanging bottles for lacewings to use.
The lacewing idea is a super one - they love this!
@@GrowVeg what is a lacewing?
Loving the plastic bottle greenhouse. Brilliant!
Oh my, Elizabeth, you're devilish! I was so excited and then,,,,,, now I'm hooked. Can't wait to see exactly what you guys are going to do with such a great little venture. Xxx
Ben…..These are BRILLIANT!!! Ideas!!
I immediately went & downed 2 water bottles to use for my tomato plants!! We are having a heat wave here in CANADA and I can’t keep up,with all my potted plants….Thank You So much 🥰🌿🥰
So pleased you found this useful. Wishing you cooler weather soon!
Great video Ben thank you. We are making windmills with plastic bottles to keep those spesky pigeons off our aubergine plants.
That's a smart use of bottles Jenny.
Thanks! Brilliant ideas! The greenhouse is actually pretty especially the colorful parts, it looks like stained glass.
I think the idea could also become just a roof as a garden shelter !
Ideal for beach and ocean clean ups ! Thanks for that brilliant idea !
Brilliant advice as always. Thank you, Ben!
Very resourceful and cheaper than buying starter pots!👍
I use empty water bottles (with the lids on) at the bottom of very large pots to make the pot lighter. I place several bottles in, add a piece of netting or mesh over them so the bottles do not migrate up over time, then I add the soil -which filters down thru the mesh, and then I add the seeds or the plant. Make sure the roots have room to grow.
What a great idea!
Thanks for Sharing your bright ideas regarding recycling used bottles…
You're definitely thinking out of the box and into the bottle. I've used large plastic bottles and semi clear plastic gallon milk bottles for Winter Seed Sowing. I've also seen that the gallon size freezer Zip Lock bags can be used for winter sowing as well.
They can be turned to so many things. :-)
I love the idea of using the bottles to protect seedlings 🎉 great video 👍
I made a cold frame with water bottles. One side is the south facing side of my raised bed. Then I lined up bottles filled with water for insulation and weight for stability...forming a square. Then covered the top opening with a thick clear plastic sheet from a plastic bag that held packing material/peanuts. It's working well to protect cuttings of basils and lavender that will not survive over winter without protection.
What a superb idea - love it!
Wicking tubs using plastic bottles at the bottom. First year trying this. Working well so far
Sounds interesting. Can you be more specific about your technique, Trish?
@@mjdudas look up “Gardening With Leon” and wicking tubs. He demonstrates and gives reasons why this works!
Great ideas to re cycle plastic water bottles, thank you! Plastic bottles are great for making skittles out of, just fill with sand or water, just make sure you secure the lid properly. They can even be painted to decorate, or have paper stuck on to do the same, finish with a waterproof sealant. xxx
What a great idea! :-)
I love the greenhouse idea! I’m going to start saving!
Wow, so many more than I’d used them for that I don’t know what to say. Awesome!
Just what I was thinking about for my hanging basket of strawberries thanks x
Great idea, I’m going to use the self watering plant pot idea. Thankyou 😀
This video came just in time.
MY KIND OF IDEAS!! I LOVE IT! SOME I HADN'T THOUGHT OF AND SOME TO PASS ON!!!
What interesting ways to use the plastic bottles, it just makes me wish I was out in the country so I could garden again. Thank you for information.
Clever! Thank you for sharing these wonderful ideas.
Inspiring ideas for reusing of plastic bottles ! Thank you!
Final Tip is GOLD!
I thot that I was a nut crazy to do what you did, to reuse plastic bottle and plastic tray from the super market ,I am glad that others people things like me.
We are about to go on holiday in peak veg growing season for the first time. Before the veg came first! Now Ihave lots of watering ideas which will save me from bothering my neighbour. Carol uk
Hope your garden is okay in your absence Carol - always nervous going away at this time of year, but the gardener deserves a holiday from time to time!
I like the greenhouse a lot...I like gardening!thanks for sharing
I love these ideas! Especially the greenhouse!
I was recycling my units tonight while pondering what to do about the slugs eating my seedling beans and had an AHA moment! I took the plastic soda bottles, fruit juice containers, etc..., cut off the bottoms, punched holes near the top, put on the cap and stuck them over the seedlings. NOW let's hope the slugs don't dig underneath ;) I think this is a great idea and ends up costing on the price of recycling (5 cents) vs the pricey solutions for plant protection in stores and online.
Very smart recycling! :-)
Wonderful, inspiring ideas as usual! Thank you!
Thanks for many ideas that you share about using a plastic bottles for planting. I'm going try this.thanks
I love the ideas. Thank U God bless you.🌿⚘
I use 1 liter bottles in my self wicking container 4 or 5 gallon buckets. I use an 18 inch pvc pipe that is 7/8 inch diameter stock in the spout. Punch holes in lower 2-3 inches and wrap with some cloth, I use weed barrier cloth, and tie string around cloth at top below the lip. Then I water the plant thru the pvc tube. Of course the bucket has a weep hole about 3 inches above bottom. Worked great.
Sounds like a great system there Tom.
Thank you Ben! Very useful tips.
great tips here. Time to get started this weekend. thank you
Thanks a lot for your wonderful 10 tips. Will start your unique ideas from today.
My Grandma always potted up a piece of yarn in her African Violet pots then let the string hang out the bottom into the saucer bottom & watered from there. Same concept, just not plastic related.
She sounds like a wise lady Anne.
So many clever hacks! I wish I'd seen this before I went out and spent a small fortune on containers... Oh well, live and learn.
Excellent ways to be sustainable and save money love it x
very impressive. i really like the bottles on the fence idea!
Absolutely brilliant! Thank you - terrific video. Thank you!😀
How Clever, Thank You For Sharing
Wow! sir good idea .Now need to colect empty bottles .Thank you for tips.
So glad I found your channel! Very handy information!
Delighted you've found the channel also - welcome! :-)
Your greenhouse bottle is cool I love it hope can make one in the future thanks for all the information
Thank you for all of the great ideas.
You have done an excellent job, Calcutta India. 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍
You are truly an inspiration, great tips, always bothers me as a gardener , the plastic waste , thankyou and keep going 🙂
Thanks Claire, really appreciate that. :-)
Those are some really great ideas... they accumulate fast especially in the warmer weather when we are drinking more beverages, I hate to just throw them away, I will try some of these ideas.
Amazing. Love the recycling idea for sure. I do the self watering pots with my indoor plants all the time. Then I place them in a pretty pot. I also use the dome idea, to keep moisture and prevent young leaves from drying. I like them as planters because they are light for hanging plants and if decorated, they can be very pretty. There are videos on how to make plastic "look like" cement or ceramic. I also like using plastic bottles (or containers) as planters because it's easy to make holes all around them to keep the roots well aired, which seems to promote healthier roots. I was amazed by the construction of the wall for the greenhouse. That was so interesting! Great video, great visuals. Thanks for sharing.
Recycling in the garden offers so many options. :-)
Thank you for the clever ideas Ben! I like watching and learning from your Channel.
On this one in the Show More section, in the Chapter offsets, you missed one:
Number 7, Self-Watering Container at 6:45. That changes the timings of all the rest that follow.
Super, thanks for letting me know - and thanks for watching. :-)
Its so good
I am doing this for my project
Fabulous for slug and snail protection!
Wow green house from bottles. Amazing.
Wow! great ideas... Thank you Ben
All of these are BRILLIANT! Thank you ❤
Thanks for watching! :-)
So innovative coolest ideas Bravo 👏🏻 being new at gardening you've bn a great help. My favorite are plastic bottle panels awesome 👍🏻 thank you 🇺🇸🌺
Hi, thank you very much for your brilliant ideas,especially the greenhouse ❤️👍
Great video. I hadn't heard four of these suggestions that you showed in your video here and am going to try those out in my garden here. Thank you!
That's great to hear Deborah. :-)
Hi,
Thank you for a detailed explanation.
The idea of your green house creation with pet bottles is very novel and an useful DIY. Keep rocking.
👌👌👌👌👋👋👋👋👋
Will do!
I've seen all of these except the greenhouse. That's ingenious
What great ideas, with spring now here in NZ I have shared this post 😊 love the wicking idea and will definitely give this a go.
Great to hear Yvonne! Best of luck with the new growing season. :-)
Iove the fruit picker one just save my money thank you
Thank you for the tips 😊
Fantastic ideas
You are an eco genius.