Using Plastic Beverage Containers as Planters

Plastic bottles come in many shapes and sizes - from small, single-serving 8 oz. water bottles to 2- and 3-liter soda bottles. Many of these bottles make their way to a recycling center, others are simply thrown away to find their way to a landfill, and still others are simply cast to the roadside.

One thing that we have done as a family project is to turn these empty bottles into miniature greenhouses. This is a simple project that offers great rewards.

Simply take an empty and rinsed beverage bottle and fill it one quarter of the way with potting soil. If you have a compost pile, this is even better. The size of the bottle does not matter, though larger ones offer more options. Additionally, green plastic bottles, such as Mountain Dew or Sprite bottles do not work for this project (I will explain later).

After adding the potting soil/compost, drop a couple of plant seeds into the bottle. Any type of seed will do, but some planning can take this simple project and turn it into a work of art.

Once you have added the seeds, sprinkle a little more dirt into the bottle - don't bury the seeds, just a little coating.

Moisten the dirt, do not drench it.

Replace the cap tightly.

Place the bottle in a sunny location and wait!

Soon, you will see the seeds begin to sprout. Once they have taken hold, it is important to monitor their growth. Depending on the seeds used, be sure to give them proper amounts of light and shade. Direct sunlight could kill some seedlings. As well, it is important to remove the cap from the bottle so that the seedlings do not cook inside the bottle. Removing the cap will also allow the water inside the bottle to evaporate, so be sure to add water as necessary to insure proper growth. Do not over-water the plants.

Once the plants have established themselves, you can choose to cut apart the bottle and transplant the plant into a more substantial pot or into your garden. Be sure to send the remnants of the bottle off to your local recycling center.