Post by wulfcwen on Mar 4, 2007 9:06:10 GMT
Plant Pots
Buying in small plant pots can be expensive so why not use empty yogurt pots simply make a hole or two in the bottom and you have a small pot for seedlings.
Need a larger pot for growing things in like a small trough use a margarine or butter tub again make some holes in the bottom, don't throw out the lid it will double as a tray to put under the tub.
Small cloches
Need a tiny cloche to keep the seeds and seedlings warm in the pot?
Easy take the label off an empty litre bottle of pop or squash wash it out and cut it in half you now have two cloches to put over the pots. Don't throw the top away as it can be used regulate the heat.
For larger pots use a two litre bottle instead.
Plant labels
If your like me you are always losing the darn things and they are a pain to get hold of sometimes. So why not make your own.
Wash out a plastic milk bottle cut off the bottom and then cut the rest of the bottle into strips the size of a plant label cut a V shape at one end and you have plant labels that have cost nothing.
The bottom part of the bottle can be used as well as a scoop.
Or:
Cut around the handle, makes a handy scoop for compost/feed.
You can even make your own pots out of newspaper take a look here for the instructions
www.4ormore.co.uk/rollyourown.htm
Sport drinks bottles
All those water bottles that have pull up tops or sports drinks they look like this
When they are empty save them and use them to water seedlings the water can be directed at the base of the seedlings and will not damage them or get the young leaves wet.
Watering plants
Plants need water at the roots, you may think you have given them a good soaking but in reality the roots are still dry. Solution! place a bottle that has the bottom cut off and push the neck of the bottle into the ground close to the roots but not that close as to cause any damage. Fill the bottle with water and allow it to drain into the ground. You can do this several times to ensure the roots are watered not just the surrounding ground.
Bird scarer
If you have a vegetable lot or simply growing seeds in the garden that are being eaten by the birds this is a simple way to solve the problem.
You will need:
Plastic carrier bags/ or string
Old CD's
twigs or bamboo canes.
Take the plastic carrier bag and cut off the handles and the bottom of the bag. Now cut continuous strips from the rest of the bag. Do this with some other bags and tie the strips together and roll up into a ball.
Thread the old CD's onto the strips.
Place twigs or bamboo canes into the ground and tie the strips with the CD's on them to the twigs.
Cane toppers
Canes are fine but can be dangerous and toppers are expensive so make your own.
Ping Pong balls make fun toppers. Draw a face on them to make them into little smileys.
An easy method to cover the top of a cane is to make a pad from old tights. Cut off the foot and stuff the toe end with the remainder, forming a firm ball. Put this ball onto the top of the cane, making sure the tip cannot be felt through the pad. Bind it onto the cane with insulating tape.
Baby socks can also be used stuff them with old tights they are more colourful than the tights.
Small plastic drink bottles can also be used as cane toppers and will rattle in the wind.
You can even use painted yogurt pots get the kids to paint them and draw faces or flowers on them.
Polystyrene
Don't throw out the polystyrene use it to fill the bottom of flower pots its lighter than stones and makes good drainage.
Egg Cartons
These can be used as a sort seed tray. Grow your seeds in these and you have what they call a module to plant out.
Buying in small plant pots can be expensive so why not use empty yogurt pots simply make a hole or two in the bottom and you have a small pot for seedlings.
Need a larger pot for growing things in like a small trough use a margarine or butter tub again make some holes in the bottom, don't throw out the lid it will double as a tray to put under the tub.
Small cloches
Need a tiny cloche to keep the seeds and seedlings warm in the pot?
Easy take the label off an empty litre bottle of pop or squash wash it out and cut it in half you now have two cloches to put over the pots. Don't throw the top away as it can be used regulate the heat.
For larger pots use a two litre bottle instead.
Plant labels
If your like me you are always losing the darn things and they are a pain to get hold of sometimes. So why not make your own.
Wash out a plastic milk bottle cut off the bottom and then cut the rest of the bottle into strips the size of a plant label cut a V shape at one end and you have plant labels that have cost nothing.
The bottom part of the bottle can be used as well as a scoop.
Or:
Cut around the handle, makes a handy scoop for compost/feed.
You can even make your own pots out of newspaper take a look here for the instructions
www.4ormore.co.uk/rollyourown.htm
Sport drinks bottles
All those water bottles that have pull up tops or sports drinks they look like this
When they are empty save them and use them to water seedlings the water can be directed at the base of the seedlings and will not damage them or get the young leaves wet.
Watering plants
Plants need water at the roots, you may think you have given them a good soaking but in reality the roots are still dry. Solution! place a bottle that has the bottom cut off and push the neck of the bottle into the ground close to the roots but not that close as to cause any damage. Fill the bottle with water and allow it to drain into the ground. You can do this several times to ensure the roots are watered not just the surrounding ground.
Bird scarer
If you have a vegetable lot or simply growing seeds in the garden that are being eaten by the birds this is a simple way to solve the problem.
You will need:
Plastic carrier bags/ or string
Old CD's
twigs or bamboo canes.
Take the plastic carrier bag and cut off the handles and the bottom of the bag. Now cut continuous strips from the rest of the bag. Do this with some other bags and tie the strips together and roll up into a ball.
Thread the old CD's onto the strips.
Place twigs or bamboo canes into the ground and tie the strips with the CD's on them to the twigs.
Cane toppers
Canes are fine but can be dangerous and toppers are expensive so make your own.
Ping Pong balls make fun toppers. Draw a face on them to make them into little smileys.
An easy method to cover the top of a cane is to make a pad from old tights. Cut off the foot and stuff the toe end with the remainder, forming a firm ball. Put this ball onto the top of the cane, making sure the tip cannot be felt through the pad. Bind it onto the cane with insulating tape.
Baby socks can also be used stuff them with old tights they are more colourful than the tights.
Small plastic drink bottles can also be used as cane toppers and will rattle in the wind.
You can even use painted yogurt pots get the kids to paint them and draw faces or flowers on them.
Polystyrene
Don't throw out the polystyrene use it to fill the bottom of flower pots its lighter than stones and makes good drainage.
Egg Cartons
These can be used as a sort seed tray. Grow your seeds in these and you have what they call a module to plant out.
I hope you are keeping copies of all this cos it'd look brill on a website