Introduction to growing plants in the plastic and glass bottles
Growing plants in bottles are easy and there are several ways to use bottles in your garden. Try making garden planters and hanging baskets, garden tools like watering cans, and decorations like birdhouses. Vertical gardens are great for saving space and a vertical garden made from recycled bottles will help the environment which means it’s helpful for the earth and you.
A step by step guide to growing plants in plastic, glass bottles
Hellow friends, why do you throw waste glass or plastic bottles, you can utilize them for growing light rooted plants like money plant, mint, coriander, small flowers, and other herbs. Let us together leran how to grow plants in plastic and glass bottles.
Soil for growing plants in bottles
Before you put soil in a plastic bottle, you’ll need to consider what your plants need to grow. Regardless of which container you use all plants need drainage, space for plant roots to grow, as well as access to sunlight and water.
The kind of soil that you need to grow plants in bottles or any container depends on the kind of plant that you want to grow. Some plants prefer sandy soil but most plants will grow very healthy in well-drained potting soil. One important thing though is to fertilize the soil regularly.
Drainage – Before placing soil into the empty plastic containers, it is important to make small holes throughout the bottom (or the side, depending on whether the bottle will lay horizontal or vertical) and cut off the top. By poking small holes throughout the bottom, this will allow water to flow through quickly rather than pooling which can make damage such as overwatering.
The bottom of the bottle will need drainage holes to help with percolation of water so that the plant roots always have a fresh supply. You can do so by drilling the holes or by hammering through with a small nail. You will need around 4 to 5 holes.
Once the drainage holes are made, you’ll want to add to this with some gravel. These will further help in naturalizing the container’s drainage process and select gravel rocks that are about pea-sized and not too big. Then, fill enough to cover the bottom of the bottle. Once that is done, you can add your potting soil and choose the nutrient-rich variety here.
Some bottles are flimsy and may not stand the wear and tear of changing weather and temperatures. Select bottles made from durable materials and ensure your vertical garden is secure and won’t fall due to extreme rain or wind.
Sunlight requirement for growing plants in bottles
It’s important to choose a plastic bottle that will allow sunlight to flow shine through. Because of this, clear bottles (or very light colours such as light green) are best for this project. You can also want to consider if you’re hanging bottle vertical garden will be in direct sunlight. Excessive sunlight may overheat the plastic thereby overheating the plants inside.
Irrigation for growing plants in bottles
Your plastic bottle vertical garden will likely have water run-off and can help water the other plants you have, creating a self-irrigation system. Ensure this water run-off won’t disrupt neighbours or incur structural damage.
Factors to consider when constructing a bottle garden
The bottles for your garden wall can hang either vertically or horizontally, depending on your preference. If you have a specific choice, you could design a layout in such an aesthetically appealing way. The most important factors to consider when constructing your plastic bottle vertical garden are;
- Access to sunlight
- Protection from extreme elements
- Use of durable materials
- Proper irrigation and drainage
- Viable seeds or seedlings
Mainly, it comes down to time, space, and preference. Ultimately, so long as you create your plastic bottle vertical garden with the key factors we mentioned above in mind, you’re sure to have a beautiful and flourishing garden in no time.
Process of growing plants in bottles
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Step 1) Cutting up the bottles – Cut the bottles horizontally on one side and remove the extra piece. The final result should resemble a water trough like the one used by animals on farms. The plants will grow out from here, and it needs to be large enough for you to be able to work. The area between the neck of the bottle and the base is large enough for this space. Ensure the bottle cap is still on to prevent the soil from draining out once you fill it in
You could cut your bottles anywhere between half in size to 2/3rd; it’ll depend on what you’re planting. But don’t go below half, that size is usually perfect for seedlings. As a neat trick, you can hold down the bottle till it’s flat. This makes cutting easier.
Step 2) Poke holes along the side and base of the container to provide drainage holes. Pass the string through the holes closest to the ends.These will be used to hang your garden. Line the interior of the bottle with the paper and then fill in the gardening soil.
Step 3) Transplant your seedlings into the new garden and then add the required amount of water. Hang the plastic garden to whatever area that you see fit around your home.
Bottle gardening techniques, tips, and ideas
Whether you want the beauty of climbing vines across your balcony wall or the simplicity of a few succulents strung across your patio, there are several options available for plastic bottle gardens.
Wall hanging bottle garden – Lay a 2-liter plastic bottle on its side, horizontally, then cut out part of the side. To hang the bottles, you’ll need to then cut out four small holes, two on each side. They should line up with each other. Using rope, wire, or twine, thread through the holes with and once it’s all the way through, tie a knot in the end. Cut the rope at the desired length and hang your beautiful bottle garden.
Self-watering bottle garden – This option is best if you want to set your bottle garden out. This self-watering bottle garden is easy to make and perfect if you’re going to start small yet yield great results. All you need to do is cut three or four small holes in the neck of the bottle. Then, cut the bottle in half and flip it over, so the neck is now inside the bottom of the bottle.
Bottle garden with herbs – This can easily be worked on over a few short hours. Pick up a small piece of plywood from your local hardware store. Place soil inside the neck of the bottle and a small-sized bottle garden to grow your favorite herbs. It’s good to note that any bottle garden that calls for the soil in the neck of the bottle will require something to clog the opening to ensure the soil doesn’t spill out. We like to use recycled paper loosely stuffed, or you’ll need to carefully poke small holes in the lid and place the cap back on the bottle.
List of plants you can grow in bottles
Basil
Bottles are best to start your herb garden now. You can grow basil outdoor or indoor. Do not use common soil in bottles. Use the best kind of potting soil. Basil is very easy to grow, it doesn´t require a lot of space to grow, and the plant is very easy to care for and easy to water. So it is just perfect for growing in bottles. Basil needs 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight and you should mix the Potting Soil with some organic fertilizer before you plant the seeds. After 5 to 10 days the seeds will germinate and you will be able to see your first little basil plant poking out of the soil after about two weeks. So Basil is an excellent choice for growing in bottles and it is a very beginner-friendly plant.
Parsley
Parsley is the best for small containers like bottles. It is best to start growing it with seeds. No need for full sunlight for better growth, they grow well in partial sunlight. Parsley seeds have a very slow germination rate and the possibility for them to germinate is also, compared to other herbs, quite low. But if you want to grow them, you can easily grow them in bottles. It does not matter for the plant if it is grown in a regular container or a bottle. There are quite a few different varieties of parsley, like the flat-leaf parsley or the Hamburg parsley but if you want to grow parsley in bottles then the Curley leaf parsley would probably be best. It is smaller than the other varieties and it doesn´t need as much space as the other varieties.
Strawberries
Strawberry plants are one of the best fruit to grow in containers. If you don’t have a sunny spot in your home, don’t worry. Because you can grow strawberries under artificial light as well. It means you can grow them in winter, summer or anytime of the year. Remember to use a good kind of potting soil in your bottles. Once plants start to produce fruits, harvest them instantly after they ripen. Because they will need room to make new fruit. So, more harvest means more fruit.
Oregano
One of the easiest and fastest-growing herbs in oregano. They are best to grow in bottles. Because oregano can overgrow in a raised bed garden etc. Oregano is also very easy to grow and it doesn´t need a lot of care to grow well. So it is also possible to grow this plant as a beginner in gardening. So you can grow them in bottles even though it is not optimal for the plant.
Rosemary
You can easily grow rosemary in bottles. The best is to regrow them from store-bought rosemary. The method is the same as oregano and basil. Remember that rosemary will need a bit acidic environment for better growth. Also, put some sand at the bottom of the bottle. A bit acidic and dry soil is necessary. Do not let the soil dry all the time. Water the plants, when you feel the soil is too dry.
Pepper
For growing pepper, you will require a bigger bottle. Grow small pepper in bottles. Because large pepper will need a very big bottle or container of 8 to 10 gallons. Pepper is a sun-loving plant. 8 hours of sunlight per day is best for these plants. You can start with seeds, but start with the seedling. That will save you a lot of time.
Spinach
Growing spinach is also very easy and it doesn´t need a lot of care as well. If you want to grow spinach in a bottle then you should make sure, that the bottle is at least 6 inches deep but 8 inches would be better. Other than that spinach can grow very easily in bottles and it only requires you to regularly water it.
Sage
Sage can grow in bottles very well. They can grow indoor as well as outdoor. This herb is sun-loving. So if you decide to grow them inside, pick a window with abundant sunlight. If you don’t have that kind of window in your home, artificial sunlight will just do fine.
Thyme
A herbs garden in bottles is the best thing. No need to buy some kind of fancy pots to start with. Pick some good green thyme cuttings. You can grow them, inside or outdoor. Sunlight is good for them, but you can use artificial light too. Do not overwater them, they don’t like this.
Radish
Choose bigger bottles to grow radish. There are different varieties of reddish to grow. Sow seeds of radish in good potting mix. A bigger plastic bottle is essential for good growth of fruit.
Asian Green
They require a lot of nutrients in the soil because they grow very fast. Select a little bit bigger bottle as they spread very fast. They are not very sun-loving plants. So you can grow them inside your house with an artificial source of lightening. Or you can put these bottles near a window as they require only 4 hours of morning sunlight.
Garlic
Garlic is best to grow in bigger bottles for the reason that they have a bulb at the end. You can start with store-bought garlic. Break a bulb of garlic, pick bigger cloves. Plant these cloves in potting soil. Plant them 2-3 inches deep and 6 inches apart. Garlic is a winter crop. Need Constant supply of moisture. Do not let the soil dry. You can also use the leaves of garlic in different dishes as a flavor.
Spring Orion
They are also called salad onion. They don’t require deep soil to grow, so they are best to grow in bottles. They are sun-loving. Start with seeds to grow salad onion. Sow the seeds about half-inch deep in potting soil and if you want continuous supply, sow seeds every couple of weeks. You can harvest them in just 7 to 8 weeks.
Dill
Dill is yet another easy to grow herb that can also thrive in a plastic bottle. It also doesn’t need a lot of care to grow well. You just have to water the plant regularly and it will grow well. Dill normally needs at least a 12-inch deep container to grow well but a slightly smaller container won’t hurt the plant either. Dill grows best in full sunlight and it can sustain higher temperatures.
Lettuce
Lettuce is the best to grow in large bottles. You can start with seeds or seedling. Or the best is to start with store-bought lettuce. Cut the bottom part of the lettuce of about 2-3 inches. Put that part in a glass of water. In a few days, roots with appear. When that happens, plant it in a bottle with potting soil in it. They are sun-loving plants. So pick a nice spot with abundant sunlight.
Mushroom
Mushrooms are the best and fastest to grow in bottles. Small mushrooms can grow in just 1 or 2 days. A bigger mushroom can take up to 6 days. You can grow smaller or bigger mushrooms with seeds and add an extra flavor to your favorite dishes in no time.
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