We all have little interests and hobbies we don’t realize until we do it. Likewise, prior to the lockdown our college schedule, assignments, friends, etc. kept us all busy the whole time. Most of us spent our little downtime which we rarely got, binge watching Netflix or sleeping. So, during the lockdown I got plenty of downtime even after Netflix and sleeping. Noticing, there were many plastic bottles in the house, why not make something useful out of them? I always wanted to have a garden but never had enough space and time. So, improvisation was the answer. I used the bottle as flowerpot, for my little garden. It was the perfect way of recycling bottles and a step towards creating sustainable future. I realized how much I loved doing it. So, for you all this is my take on DIY Recycled Bottle Garden.
Materials you’ll need:
1. Cotton/Jute/Polyester rope
2. Scissors
3. Knife
4. Glass Bottle / Plastic bottle (prefer 2litre bottle)
5. Crushed or expanded clay
6. Small plant / Seeds
7. Hole puncher (else knife will do)
8. Pebbles / Stones
It can be set up easily and does not require regular watering.
Step 1
Choose the right sized bottle which should be big enough for the plant to grow in. Using a 2-litre bottle is perfect for any small plant. Having a 2-litre sized bottle makes it easier to maintain the little garden. Don’t forget to wash, clean and dry the bottle properly before you turn it into a garden.
Step 2
Use a knife to make a hole from the point where you want to cut the bottle into half. Then use scissors to cut it open. You have now two pieces of a single bottle cut into half, a lower portion (the base) and a top portion (the cone). You can add textures or colors to give the bottle a nice look.
Step 3
Now, take the bottle lid. Make a hole at the center of the lid using a knife or a drill or any tool which is suitable for the task and is easily available. Cut out a portion of rope, 20 cm in length, rope can be of jute/cotton/ polyester which should be thin enough to pass through the hole in the lid. Note, rope will be the medium which will transfer water to the plant.
Step 4
Put some pebbles or small stones first. This will keep the soil intact and prevent it from dripping down through the lid hole.
Step 5
Take the top portion (the cone) of the bottle, turn it upside down (inverted) and put in the crushed clay or expanded clay (soil) using a substrate spoon. Then put the baby plant/seed in it.
Step 6
Now, fill the lower portion (the base) with water. Take the top portion (the cone) which is now filled with the clay, plant and the rope (which is hanging out of the lid hole). Put it over the base and the rope should be now in contact with the water.
Step 7
Do the irrigation twice a week. Place it in an area that gets proper sunlight as plants need air and moisture. Note, bottle gardens only need watering when no condensation is visible on the bottle.
ADVANTAGES
-Irrigation is done through the capillarity. The water will moisten this polyester/jute rope and be transferred to the substrate. So, no need to watch it at all times.
-The plastic bottle you are reusing and recycling as a major material in the process is contributing to a more sustainable life.
-There is almost no water wastage.
HAPPY GARDENING!!!🍂🌿
