recycled self watering containers for plants

**Josh** 5/21/2010, 3:18 pm

Here is a self watering plant container for plants. It's made from a 2 litter soda bottle.
You measure down 7 and 1/4 inch and cut it into two pieces.
recycled self watering containers for plants Soda1-1

recycled self watering containers for plants Soda1-1

recycled self watering containers for plants Soda2

You need to cut a half circle in the bottom piece for a place to add the water to the bottom.
take the top piece and turn it upside down and push it all the way to the bottom,the neck piece has to be sure and touch the bottom piece.
recycled self watering containers for plants Soda3

recycled self watering containers for plants Soda3

Put mels mix in it and push the soil down into the neck tightly so it will wick the water up to the plant. Add your plant, it could be flower,herb,smaller veggie. Add water to the bottom using the half circle hole
recycled self watering containers for plants Soda4

recycled self watering containers for plants Soda4

it will then self water and you can easy see when you need to add more water
plus you will be helping to recycle the soda bottle
recycled self watering containers for plants Soda5

recycled self watering containers for plants Soda5

miinva 5/21/2010, 3:36 pm

Wow Josh! I think I'll make some of those with my son next weekend Very Happy

Thank you for the great idea. We'll grow some flowers for beautification and if the bottles start to break down, we'll just recycle them!

**mckr3441** 5/21/2010, 4:43 pm

Josh, you are the greatest! You come up with such very good ideas then you teach them so well. I'll have to try this one!

Claire recycled self watering containers for plants Icon_flower

Paintedlady 5/21/2010, 10:14 pm

What an awesome idea--good job!

alijoefam5 5/22/2010, 1:15 am

That Is Awesome! I started using water bottles, but I didn't think about using the other half! Going to to do that tomorrow!
Great Idea!
Very Happy

new2this 5/22/2010, 11:09 am

I love it, Josh....too cool!

**timwardell** 5/31/2010, 9:01 pm

Another great idea Josh! Very Happy

nursekat424 5/31/2010, 10:44 pm

what a brilliant idea. i am heading to Ohio in a few weeks to visit family and friends and had promised to bring cuttings of my wandering jew to several ppl. was trying to figure the best way to get them there (2 day drive). this is perfect. and the bottles fit right into the left over plant holders (what the individual plants come in) from walmart. here is a pic of mine. thanks josh!!!!

recycled self watering containers for plants 01614

**Josh** 6/1/2010, 9:01 pm

nursekat your pots look great,glad you found them useful!

jkahn2eb 2/14/2011, 11:57 am

Do you have any troubles with the clear plastic amplifying the heat/sunlight and cooking the soil & water inside?

Have you tried growing lettuce or spinach in something like this?

LaFee 2/14/2011, 1:58 pm

jkahn, you can see how Josh used these self-watering pots here:

https://squarefoot.forumotion.com/t2552-wall-of-flowers

He also talks about how they hold up in the sun, too.

windrider1967 3/9/2011, 8:51 pm

I was looking for info on the forum about automatic watering and came upon this one and HAD to bump it. It is such a great idea. I have stuck 2 liter bottles in previous gardens as self waterers, and had looked at getting the tomato trays that are in the store, but I am thinking about making my own. I ahve been looking EVERYWHERE for the foil angel food pans, figured I could place them around the tomatoes/peppers and punch some holes in the bottom. May try it with either soda cans or bottles partially buried with holes dug in. Any thoughts

shannon1 3/5/2012, 4:44 am

They are just great I wonder how weird my neighbors will think I am as I pick through their recycle bins next week? Well they should be used to my oddness by now;)

kittykat 4/4/2012, 6:40 pm

Calling all photos!!!

I'd love to see how people have used these pots. I saw Josh's wall of flowers and now his pole of flowers in the other thread... Any other ways y'all have used these??

recycled self watering containers for plants 418730

recycled self watering containers for plants 418730

kbb964 4/12/2012, 10:56 am

darn it now i need to go find soda bottles!

How did you attach the bottles to the fence Josh?

GWN 4/12/2012, 11:01 am

Last year when we moved here, I did not know if we would be able to buy land right away since we had to sell a home elsewhere.
So I investigated self watering containers as temporary if I was going to be renting
http://www.seattleoil.com/Flyers/Earthbox.pdf

We made one of these with the large plastic bins (from the move) and I kept basil in it last year, only had to water the bottom about every 10 days.
Pretty cool concept on a larger scale than the bottles

HereIGrowAgain 4/12/2012, 2:27 pm

All great ideas! I'm going to have to try this out.

kittykat 4/12/2012, 5:17 pm

@kbb964 - If you follow the thread in the link below, you'll find all the answers to any questions you might have on how Josh built and used the self-watering bottle planters...

https://squarefoot.forumotion.com/t2552-wall-of-flowers

recycled self watering containers for plants 3170584802

recycled self watering containers for plants 3170584802

floyd1440 4/12/2012, 8:26 pm

Does anone grow basil during the winter under lights and if so how does this work or not....................

GWN 4/12/2012, 8:35 pm

I did last year and had some success, and I think I might have done better if I had not been growing several things
I was able to get decent sized plants.

kbb964 4/13/2012, 8:48 am

KittyKat, Thanks, took another GOOD look at his post and found the bit i needed. 2 wood screws hold each one on the fence....... there was I thinking it would be way complicated !

I need to raid the neighbours trash or start buying pop. I love the green ones best.

brenda g 4/13/2012, 9:41 am

floyd1440 wrote:Does anone grow basil during the winter under lights and if so how does this work or not....................

I grow it inside every winter. I don't go overboard, just a medium sized planter so I couldn't make tons of pesto without sacrificing it all but it gives me plenty for other things! I've never used grow lights for this; I keep it in a south facing bay window but grow lights would probably help speed up the process! Another idea might be taking some in from your garden at the end of the growing season to keep you til your seeds get going.

floyd1440 4/13/2012, 8:42 pm

brenda g wrote:
floyd1440 wrote:Does anone grow basil during the winter under lights and if so how does this work or not....................

I grow it inside every winter. I don't go overboard, just a medium sized planter so I couldn't make tons of pesto without sacrificing it all but it gives me plenty for other things! I've never used grow lights for this; I keep it in a south facing bay window but grow lights would probably help speed up the process! Another idea might be taking some in from your garden at the end of the growing season to keep you til your seeds get going.

My wife LOVES basil and uses it a lot and likes it fresh all year round. Need a good pesto recipe but she wants it fresh and complains on how much it costs at the store.

So I was wondering if it does well under lights as I have a nice setup and it will not be used in the winter.

Next is how to save seeds at the end of the year from Basil?

recycled self watering containers for plants 601593

recycled self watering containers for plants 601593

brenda g 4/14/2012, 12:09 am

Hmm I've never let mine go to seed so not sure; there may be a thread about it in the forum if you search by topic. Not sure where my basic pesto recipe is (but there are recipes in the forum as well!) But I have to say my favorite pesto is the basic (olive oil, pine nuts, garlic, and lemon juice) with a little grated parmesan and parsely added and substitute the pine nuts with walnuts yum!

**walshevak** 4/14/2012, 8:58 am

I was pulling "weeds" from one of my boxes when I noticed the distinctive basil odor. My basil from last year reseeded. I have about 50 little seedlings.

Kay

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Awesome Josh

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