15 MIND BLOWING GARDEN HACKS WITH PLASTIC BOTTLES | BOTTLE GARDENING IDEAS

Summary

This episode unveils 15 innovative gardening hacks using repurposed plastic bottles. From creating fruit pickers and air pruning pots to easy plant cloning and watering systems, the script offers practical solutions for efficient gardening. It also covers DIY projects like spray bottles, mini greenhouses, and self-watering pots, promoting eco-friendly gardening practices and ensuring plant health.

Takeaways

• 🍎 Create a Fruit Picker Model 1 by modifying a 2-liter plastic bottle with flaps and nylon strings for picking fruits.
• 🍐 For Fruit Picker Model 2, use a 2-liter bottle with a circular cutout to attach to a pole for reaching fruits.
• 🌱 Utilize an Air Pruning Pot made from a 5-liter bottle and PVC pipe to promote healthy root growth by exposing roots to air.
• 🌿 Develop an Easy Plant Cloner with a plastic bottle, holes for cuttings, and water with optional rooting hormone or aspirin for faster rooting.
• 💧 Set up a Drip Irrigation system using a bottle with a hole in the cap for slow watering of plants.
• 🌳 Design Easy Plant Watering Systems with a nozzle for succulents or a shower bottle with tiny holes for seeds and seedlings.
• 💦 Craft an Easy Spray Bottle with a hand pressure trigger or adjustable nozzle for applying pesticides or nutrients.
• 🐌 Use Ring Guards made from plastic bottle rings to protect seeds and seedlings from slugs and snails.
• 🌼 Construct a Mini Greenhouse by cutting off bottle tops and using them to cover seeds for improved germination.
• 🍼 Make an Easy Funnel by cutting off the top of a plastic bottle for transferring seeds or potting mix.
• 🌱 Develop a Self-Watering Pot with a cotton wick from a cut plastic bottle to maintain soil moisture.
• 🏷️ Use strips from plastic bottles as Plant Labels for seeds or plants.
• 🌾 Store leftover seeds in plastic bottles with a desiccant to prevent fungus and moisture.
• 🐦 Build a Bird Water Feeder with a bottle, cork, and tray for attracting birds to your garden.

Q & A

What is the purpose of the first fruit picker model described in the script?

The first fruit picker model is designed to help pick fruits from trees at a comfortable height without damaging the fruit. It uses a 2-liter plastic bottle with flaps that open and close to grip the fruit, attached to a PVC pipe for extension.

How many flaps are created from the 2-liter plastic bottle for the first fruit picker model?

Four equal flaps are created from the 2-liter plastic bottle for the first fruit picker model by marking and cutting a cross at the base of the bottle.

What is the significance of making holes on the flaps and near the bottle neck for the fruit picker?

The holes on the flaps and near the bottle neck are crucial for the equal opening of flaps when picking fruits. They allow the nylon strings to be threaded through, which helps in controlling the flaps' movement.

What materials are needed to create the second model of the fruit picker?

To create the second model of the fruit picker, you need a 2-liter plastic bottle, a pole or PVC pipe of desired length, and a saw blade or hot knife to cut the bottle into a specific shape with a beak.

How does the air pruning pot promote better growth of plants?

The air pruning pot promotes better growth by exposing the root tips to air, which effectively 'burns' them off, causing the plant to produce new and healthy branching roots. This prevents the roots from growing in a constricted pattern and becoming root bound.

What is the purpose of the tiny holes on the PVC pipe in the air pruning pot?

The tiny holes on the PVC pipe in the air pruning pot allow air to reach the roots, enabling the air pruning effect. The more holes, the better for promoting air circulation and root health.

How can a simple plant cloner be created using a plastic bottle?

A simple plant cloner can be created by taking a plastic bottle, removing labels and stickers, punching holes around the bottle for inserting cuttings, and filling it with water. Optionally, rooting hormone or an aspirin tablet can be added to the water to accelerate the rooting process.

What is the advantage of using a drip irrigation system with a plastic bottle?

A drip irrigation system with a plastic bottle allows for slow and steady watering of plants, which can be particularly useful for vacation watering. It helps prevent overwatering and ensures the water is delivered directly to the plant's roots.

What are the two models of easy plant watering systems described in the script?

The two models of easy plant watering systems are: Model 1, which is recommended for succulent plants and involves fixing a pipe into the bottle cap for careful watering without wetting the leaves; and Model 2, which is a simple shower bottle with multiple tiny holes in the cap for watering seeds and seedlings.

How can a plastic bottle be used to create a mini greenhouse for seeds?

A plastic bottle can be used to create a mini greenhouse by cutting off the top, removing the cap, and covering it over seeds. This creates a humid environment that helps germinate seeds faster.

What is the purpose of the self-watering pot and how is it constructed?

The self-watering pot is designed to keep the soil moist by using a wicking action. It is constructed by cutting a large plastic bottle into two pieces, using the bottom as a water reservoir and the top as the pot. Cotton wicks are inserted through the cap and placed in the soil, allowing the soil to draw water up from the reservoir as needed.

Outlines

00:00

🌳 DIY Gardening Tools from Plastic Bottles

This paragraph introduces 15 innovative gardening hacks utilizing recycled plastic bottles. It details two models of a fruit picker, an air pruning pot to promote healthy root growth, and an easy plant cloner to speed up the rooting of cuttings. The first fruit picker involves cutting a 2-liter bottle into flaps, attaching nylon strings, and combining it with PVC pipes for a tool to pick fruits. The second model uses a bottle with a beak-shaped hole for a simpler picking mechanism. The air pruning pot is made from a 5-liter bottle and a PVC pipe to encourage root branching, while the plant cloner is a bottle with holes for inserting angled cuttings, possibly aided by rooting hormones or aspirin tablets and air stones for oxygenation.

05:01

💧 Watering Solutions and Plant Care Hacks

The second paragraph presents various watering systems and plant care techniques using plastic bottles. It covers drip irrigation with bottle caps having tiny holes, adjustable bottle attachments for controlled watering, and two models of plant watering systems suitable for succulents and seedlings. Additionally, it includes instructions for creating easy spray bottles for applying pesticides or nutrients, ring guards made from bottle rings to protect seedlings from slugs and snails, mini greenhouses to speed up seed germination, and funnels made from bottle tops. The paragraph also explains how to make self-watering pots with a water reservoir and cotton wicks, use bottle strips for plant labels, store seeds in plastic bottles with desiccants, and create a bird water feeder using a bottle and a tray. Lastly, it provides methods for making easy planters from large plastic bottles for growing greens and small plants.

Keywords

💡Gardening Hacks

Gardening hacks refer to innovative and creative solutions or shortcuts that simplify gardening tasks or enhance the gardening experience. In the video's context, these hacks involve recycling old plastic bottles into various gardening tools, demonstrating resourcefulness and sustainability.

💡Recycling

Recycling is the process of converting waste materials into reusable materials and objects. The video emphasizes recycling by transforming old plastic bottles into useful gardening tools, promoting environmental consciousness and reducing waste.

💡Fruit Picker

A fruit picker is a tool used to harvest fruits from trees, often at heights that are difficult to reach. The video introduces two models of fruit pickers made from plastic bottles, showcasing DIY solutions for gardeners to easily pick fruits.

💡Air Pruning Pot

An air pruning pot is a gardening technique that encourages healthy root growth by periodically exposing the roots to air, which simulates natural conditions and prevents root-bound problems. The video describes how to create such a pot with a plastic bottle and PVC pipe to enhance plant growth.

💡Root Tips

Root tips are the growing ends of a plant's roots, responsible for absorbing water and nutrients. The video explains that exposing root tips to air in an air pruning pot simulates a natural environment, promoting the production of new, healthy roots.

💡Plant Cloner

A plant cloner is a device or method used to propagate plants from cuttings, creating genetically identical copies of the parent plant. The video demonstrates a simple plant cloner made from a plastic bottle, which can help gardeners root cuttings faster.

💡Drip Irrigation

Drip irrigation is a method of watering plants slowly and directly at the root zone, minimizing water waste. The video describes a simple DIY drip irrigation system using a plastic bottle with a small hole in the cap, illustrating an efficient watering technique for plants.

💡Plant Watering Systems

Plant watering systems are mechanisms designed to provide water to plants in a controlled manner. The video presents different models of homemade watering systems using plastic bottles, catering to various plant watering needs and preferences.

💡Spray Bottle

A spray bottle is a container with a pressurized nozzle used to disperse liquids in a fine mist. The video suggests using a plastic bottle with a hand pressure trigger nozzle to apply pesticides or foliar feeds to plants, demonstrating a practical gardening tool.

💡Ring Guard

A ring guard is a protective barrier placed around seeds or seedlings to deter pests such as slugs and snails. The video describes using cut-out rings from plastic bottles as a natural and eco-friendly way to protect young plants from being eaten.

💡Mini Greenhouse

A mini greenhouse is a small, enclosed environment that provides a warm, humid space conducive to seed germination. The video shows how to create a mini greenhouse using the tops of plastic bottles, enhancing the chances of successful seed sprouting.

💡Self-Watering Pot

A self-watering pot is a container that has a built-in water reservoir and wicking system, allowing plants to draw water as needed. The video details how to construct such a pot from a plastic bottle, ensuring plants receive consistent moisture without overwatering.

💡Plant Labels

Plant labels are markers used to identify different types of plants or seeds in a garden. The video suggests cutting strips from a plastic bottle to create durable and reusable labels, helping gardeners keep track of their plants.

💡Seed Storage

Seed storage involves keeping seeds in a manner that preserves their viability for future planting. The video recommends using plastic bottles with a desiccant to store leftover seeds, preventing moisture and fungus that could spoil the seeds.

💡Bird Water Feeder

A bird water feeder is a device that provides water for birds, attracting them to a garden or outdoor space. The video describes creating a simple DIY bird water feeder using a plastic bottle, a plate, and a cork, offering a way to enjoy and observe birds.

💡Easy Planters

Easy planters refer to simple and accessible containers used for growing plants. The video presents two models of easy planters made from plastic bottles, one for growing greens and another for seeds or small plants, illustrating creative and cost-effective gardening options.

Highlights

Create a fruit picker using a 2-liter plastic bottle by cutting and attaching nylon strings for easy fruit harvesting.

Construct a second model fruit picker with a beak-shaped hole to pick fruits of various sizes.

Design an air pruning pot with a PVC pipe to promote healthy root growth by exposing root tips to air.

Utilize a simple plant cloner made from a plastic bottle to speed up the rooting process of plant cuttings.

Set up a drip irrigation system using a bottle with a tiny hole in the cap for slow and steady watering.

Develop easy plant watering systems to prevent overwatering and protect delicate plants like succulents.

Craft an easy spray bottle for applying pesticides or foliar feeds to indoor or outdoor plants.

Use plastic bottle rings as a barrier to protect seeds and seedlings from slugs and snails.

Create a mini greenhouse by covering seeds with cut-off plastic bottle tops to enhance germination.

Transform the top of a plastic bottle into an easy funnel for various gardening tasks.

Make a self-watering pot with a cotton wick to maintain soil moisture for plants or seeds.

Cut strips from plastic bottles to use as labels for seeds or plants for easy identification.

Store leftover seeds in plastic bottles with a desiccant to keep them dry and prevent fungus.

Build a bird water feeder with a plastic bottle and tray to attract birds to your garden.

Transform plastic bottles into easy planters for growing greens or small plants with drainage holes and potting mix.

Transcripts

In Today’s episode, we will show you 15 mind blowing gardening hacks recycling some

old plastic bottles.

Coming up!

15.

Fruit Picker - Model 1 : Take a 2 litre plastic bottle.

Remove any labels or stickers on it.

Make markings at the base of the bottle.

Mark a cross at the base to divide it into 4 equal flaps.

Carefully cut it out with a saw blade or hot knife.

You should get 4 equal flaps.

Then make holes on each flap.

Make holes near the bottle neck exactly in line with the bottom flap holes.

This is important for equal opening of flaps for fruit picking.

Now take some nylon strings like these.

Fix one end of the string to the flap hole by tying a knot and take out of the bottle

mouth through this other hole.

Do this for the remaining three flaps.

Tie all four strings together.

Check the movement of the flaps as you pull the string knot.

Adjust accordingly if any issue.

Optionally you can paint and decorate the bottle as per your wish.

Now take two pvc pipes.

One is a 3/4th inch diameter pipe - the length depends on the height of the trees.

Another pipe about 1 foot long and 1 inch diameter.

The smaller diameter pipe must slide easily into the larger pipe.

Now tie another large string to this junction and bring it out through both the pipes.

Fix the pipe to the bottle opening with screws.

At the lower end of the pipe put a bottle cap with the string out through a hole in

the cap.

Tie a knot to prevent string slipping out.

Your fruit picker is ready to use.

Just slide the bottom pipe outwards to open the flaps and pick fruits.

14.

Fruit Picker Model 2: Take a 2 litre plastic bottle

Remove any labels or stickers on it.

Mark a circle with a diameter of about 3 to 5 inches depending on the fruit you wish

to pick.

Mark a beak on the circle towards the bottom of the plastic bottle.

Cut this out carefully to create a hole of this shape.

Fix the bottle to a pole or a pvc pipe of your desired length.

Your simple fruit picker model 1 is ready to pick fruits.

13.

Air Pruning Pot: Air pruning means when root tips are exposed

to air, the root tips are effectively “burned” off, causing the plant to constantly produce

new and healthy branching roots.

promoting more branching of roots.

If roots are not exposed to air, they continue to grow around the container in a constricted

pattern making them root bound.

Hence air pruning promotes better growth of plant within a limited space.

To build an air pruning pot you need a larger plastic bottle like atleast a 5 litre can.

Remove any labels or stickers.

You also need a pvc pipe of about 1 inch diameter and 1 foot height.

Mark a circle on the bottle cap and cut it out.

This is to insert the pipe through it.

Make multiple tiny holes on the pipe.

Any number of holes, the more the better.

Put a cap at the bottom of this pipe.

Take another smaller plastic bottle.

Mark and and cut out a funnel.

Fix this funnel to the upper end of this pipe.

Screw it tightly.

Now cut a small window of any shape on the bottle.

Then make multiple holes to insert your cuttings over the bottle below the level of this open

window.

Insert the pipe into the bottle and cap it.

Add potting mix into the container.

Make sure it contains atleast 30 to 40 percent compost.

Your air pruning pot is ready.

Now you can insert some mint cuttings into these holes.

You can water every alternate day through the top funnel.

You should see nice and fast mint leaves growing in about 2 weeks using the principle of air

pruning.

12.

Easy Plant Cloner: You can root your cuttings faster using this

simple plant Cloner.

Take any plastic bottle.

Remove any labels and stickers.

Punch multiple holes around the bottle, large enough to insert cuttings easily.

Take some of your plant cuttings.

Make sure you make a cut at an angle of about 45 degrees for faster rooting.

Insert the cuttings into the holes.

You can tape the cuttings to hold in place or tie a string around the bottle to hold

the cuttings.

Pour water into the bottle.

Add a little bit of rooting hormone powder if you have.

You can also add about half a tablet of Aspirin 350 mg dispersible tablet to induce faster

rooting.

If you want to further accelerate the rooting process, place air stones into the water and

connect to an aquarium pump.

Switch it on for few minutes for atleast twice daily.

This oxygenation helps promote rooting faster.

We have made similar advanced Cloners earlier using the principles of hydroponics.

You can check those episodes from a link in description below.

11.

Drip irrigation: Simplest method of slow drip irrigation is

using one bottle per container.

Just make a tiny hole into the cap.

Full the bottle and insert into the pot for vacation watering of already 7 days.

Make sure you make a small hole at the top of the inverted bottle for drip to flow through.

Another alternative is to use these little bottle attachments with a drip control knob

to adjust the number of drops per minute.

Just fix it to the bottle and insert it and adjust the drip knob.

10.

Easy Plant Watering Systems.

Model 1: this nozzle can is recommended for your expensive succulent plants for careful

watering without wetting the leaves and thus avoid fungal rot.

Take any plastic bottle.

Make a hole in the cap and fix a pipe into this hole and glue it from the inner side.

Model 2: this is just a simple shower bottle.

Make multiple tiny holes in the bottle cap.

That’s it.

This is especially useful to water your seeds and seedlings and avoid heavy pressure of

your garden hose damaging the seeds or the little seedlings.

9.

Easy Spray Bottle: Model 1: take any plastic bottle and fix this

type of simple hand pressure trigger nozzles to spray pesticides or foliar feeds on your

indoor or outdoor plants.

Model 2: you can also attach an adjustable pressure nozzle or pump type of nozzle easily

available online at amazon.

8.

Ring Guard: Cut out few rings like these from plastic

bottles.

Use these around seeds and seedlings to prevent Slugs and Snails crossing over and eating

your little plants.

7.

Mini Greenhouse: Cut the tops off the plastic bottles.

Remove the caps and cover these over seeds.

This creates a mini greenhouse effect with nice humidity to germinate seeds faster.

6.

Easy Funnel: Cut the tops off the plastic bottles as done

in the previous hack.

This is an easy funnel to transfer either seeds into a container or potting mix or even

watering, mixing pesticides and so on.

5.

Self-Watering Pot: You need one large plastic bottle.

Make the markings and cut it through.

You get two pieces.

The bottom one is the water reservoir and the upper part is the actual pot to grow plants

or seeds.

Optinally you can paint this for good looks.

Now take a piece of cotton rope.

Make two holes in the bottle cap and insert the cotton wick through it.

The lower end of the wick should be placed in the water reservoir.

You have two cotton wicks now.

Now fill with some potting mix to about half and bury one wick.

Then add more potting mix and then bury the other wick.

You can plant seeds or small plants into this.

Whenever the soil gets dry it will suck the water through the string and keep the soil

moist.

4.

Plant Labels: Just cut some strips off the plastic bottle

and use them to label your seeds or plants.

3.

Seed Storage: Plastic bottles are excellent for storing

your left-over seeds.

Just pour the seeds in a bottle and close the cap.

Make sure you place a small sachet of a silicon desiccant for any moisture absorption to prevent

fungus. 2.

Bird Water Feeder: Take a plastic plate or a small tray.

Fix the bottle cork to the center of this tray.

Bolting this is a good idea to make it sturdy.

Also try to prevent any leaks by sealing with glue.

Make holes like this near the bottle mouth.

Fill the bottle and cork the tray to the bottle and invert this set up.

You can hang this simple DIY water feeder for birds in your garden using some strings

and attract beautiful birds to your garden.

1.

Easy Planters: Model 1: For growing Greens.

Take a large bottle and cut out horizontally.

You get a wider container for growing your greens.

Fix a cap at the bottom with the help of some screws.

Optionally Paint it or decorate it as per your wish.

Make few drainage holes at the bottom.

Fill it with potting mix and plant your seeds.

Model 2: Cut a bottle near its base like about 5 to 6 inches from the bottom.

Optionally pain it or decorate it as per your wish.

Make some drainage holes.

Fill it with potting mix and grow seeds or some small plants.

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Happy Gardening!