Plastic bottles are harmful to the environment and only fill landfills. What if there was an interesting and fun way to turn them into useful tools that we can use every day? There are a multitude of chores to do with plastic bottles, but in this article we will focus on gardening. It is really easy to build hanging pots, gardening tools and birdhouses. Read on to find out more about the multitude of uses of plastic bottles in the garden.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Making Vases
Step 1. Build a self-watering pot
Make a few small holes in the top of a two-liter clear plastic bottle. Then, cut it in half making sure you only make holes in the top.
Make a hole in the cork and run a cotton thread or wick through the middle
Step 2. Complete the self-watering pot
Turn the top of the bottle upside down and place it at the bottom. The wire should be long enough to touch the bottom of the bottle but remain a couple of centimeters inside the other.
Add water to the bottom of the bottle; the cotton thread must be well soaked. Fill the pot you created with soil leaving the wire buried. Thus the plant will have a water resource to draw from
Step 3. Build a Hanging Pot
You can make it larger or smaller depending on the size of the bottle you choose to use. Start by removing the oblique part of the bottle or the one with the handle.
The pot must be uniform and have no protruding parts or inclined parts
Step 4. Complete the hanging pot
Use a pointed tool to drill a few holes in three or four equally spaced places around the top of the bottle. Use transparent thread and thread it through the holes. Secure it with a knot from the inside or with a hook to prevent the bottle from slipping.
- Secure the threads tightly to prevent the pot from falling to the ground.
- Knot all the threads together and put a hook.
- To add a touch of color to your garden, try painting the bottle before hanging it.
Step 5. Build a vase
Turn a 2-liter bottle on its side. Paying close attention, cut it in half lengthwise. Use both parts to create creative vases. Drill some drainage holes in the bottom. Fill them with the soil of your choice and add some herbs.
Again you can paint the vases to give them a creative touch
Method 2 of 3: Making Garden Tools
Step 1. Build a garden shovel
Use a utility knife to remove the bottom of the bottle. Score a diagonal line, starting from one side up to just below the handle. Then, do the same on the other side. Remove the bottom of the bottle and throw it away, you won't need it anymore for this project.
- Convert larger water cans and smaller bottles into handy gardening scoops. You can use them to make holes, carry the soil from the bags to the garden, to dose compost and mulch. Choose a bottle or tank with at least one handle as it will be more convenient to use.
- So you will always have a handy shovel available for your garden work.
Step 2. Create a watering can
Take a two-liter plastic bottle or a four-liter canister and turn it into a handy watering can. Remove the cap and drill a few small holes in it. Fill the bottle or tank with water, put the cap on and have fun watering your plants!
- If you have delicate plants that need a very specific amount of water, you can take a smaller bottle and turn it into a watering can in the same way.
- Don't make the holes too large. Smaller holes allow the water to flow out more slowly. Their diameter should not exceed that of a pen. It is important to be able to control the flow of water.
Step 3. Create an irrigation system
A small plastic bottle will be particularly suitable for this project. Take a half-liter or a liter and make small holes all over the surface so that the water slowly filters. Bury the bottle next to your garden plants leaving the cap and neck uncovered.
Whenever you want to water your plants, just fill the bottle. The created system will gradually release the water in a more targeted way in the direction of the roots
Step 4. Build a small greenhouse
Use a two-liter bottle to build a small greenhouse for your sprouts. Remove the wider end of the bottle. Then, place it on top of the sprouts in your garden.
- Bury the bottle a couple of centimeters to prevent it from being moved by the wind; this will create a suitable environment for growing sprouts.
- Leave the bottle cap open, small plants need fresh air.
Method 3 of 3: Making Decorations
Step 1. Build a birdhouse with a two liter bottle or larger canister
Cut a circle on one side near the bottom of the bottle. Make sure it is wide enough for the birds to enter. Look for a piece of wood or plastic that acts as a perch for the birds. Make a hole the same size as the stick and insert it into it making sure it is fixed well
- Fill the bottle with hay or other material suitable for making a nest.
- Paint and decorate the birdhouse before hanging it for a pop of color.
- Tie wire around the neck of the bottle and make a hook to hang it from a tree.
Step 2. Build a bird feeder with a half liter bottle
Use a utility knife to make a small hole in the bottle about four inches from the bottom. Also make one on the other side, but slightly higher. Now, create two more holes opposite to the ones you just made so that they are one in front of the other.
Step 3. Finish the manger
Take two wooden spoons and slide them through the holes. One part serves as a support for the birds and the other as a feed tray. Fill the bottle with bird food and replace the cap.
Use the wire to create a hook with which to hang the bottle from the neck
Step 4. Build a pinwheel
Use the bottom of a half-liter, one-liter, or two-liter bottle to make a fun pinwheel for the kids. Remove the top and only hold the bottom of the bottle. This part has the same shape as a flower. Make a hole in the middle of each "petal" and thread a normal or fishing line through them.
- Make sure the hole is the same size as the thread and not wider. If you made a hole that is too large, don't worry, a little glue will help you reduce its size.
- To build the decoration, tie the flowers in a row, one after the other, putting even three or four on the same thread. Hang a few rows of small flowers to create a creative garden ornament.
- Look for bottles of different colors or paint them as if they were flowers to make them more beautiful.
