How to Plant Seeds in a 2 Liter Bottle

A 2-liter plastic bottle can be transformed into a tiny greenhouse.

Plant a portable garden by recycling 2-liter soda bottles into planters. Consider it a family project. Study nature as sprouts grow into plants. Practice green living by keeping plastic bottles out of the landfill. These trim planters will fit in many places around the home.

Things You'll Need

• Empty 2-liter soda bottle
• Sharp knife or scissors
• Ice pick or large nail
• Small rocks or shells
• Potting soil
• Seeds

Instructions

1. 

   Wash an empty 2-liter soda bottle and remove as much of the label as possible.

2. 

   Screw the lid on the clean soda bottle. Use an ice pick or large nail to put a small hole in each of the "feet" of the bottle. These holes allow excess water to drain from the bottle.

3. 

   Cut around the circumference of the clean soda bottle about halfway up the bottle. Set the upper half aside.

4. 

   Add an inch of drainage material to the bottom of the bottle; small rocks, aquarium gravel or shells work well. Top the drainage material with approximately 3 inches of potting soil.

5. Plant the seeds, evenly spaced around the diameter of the bottle. Place the planter in a waterproof tray and water gently. The basic planter is complete. Place it in a location that gets a generous amount of light and keep the soil moist until the seeds germinate.

6. Convert the planter into a miniature hothouse by cutting four or more 1/2-inch-long slits around the top edge of the planter. Compress the top of the planter gently and ease the top half of the bottle onto the planter.

7. Remove the hothouse lid before seedlings touch the top. Transplant young plants into individual pots or directly into the garden.

Tips & Warnings

• Involve very young children in the process by allowing them to decorate the planters, scoop the drainage material in or sprinkle the seeds. Even those too young to handle tools can enjoy the project.

• Add handles to the planter by punching holes on opposite sides of the planter portion about an inch below the top edge. Tie loops of yarn or twine through the holes.

• Supervise children closely in the presence of pointed and bladed objects. Choose nontoxic varieties of plants.

References

• Time For Kids: Three Ways to Reuse a 2-Liter Soda Pop Bottle