Things You'll Need:
- Empty 2 liter soda bottle, wrapping removed
- Duct tape
- Hole punch
- Craft or utility knife
- String, chain, or wire for hanging
- Permanent marker (optional)
- Medium green spray paint (optional)
- Dwarf variety of tomato plant
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Step 1
Carefully cut off the bottom of the bottle, just above the ridges. Make as straight a cut as you can.
Balance the top of the bottle on its cap, cut end up, and insert the removed bottom, also cut end up. Line them up as evenly as you can. The former bottle-bottom provides a reservoir for water---about one cup's worth. -
Step 2
Seal the bottle: With the bottle still settled on its cap, use the duct tape to seal the newly lined up bottom portion of the bottle. Wrap the tape around the bottom and fold it to the inside smoothly. This will strengthen the bottle where the holes will be punched.
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Step 3
Using a hole puncher, evenly punch six holes around the container, in the middle of the band of tape. Make sure you don't place the holes too close to the edge or too close to the ridges. You can also choose to paint the rest of the bottle at this time with the green paint, but this is absolutely optional. Some suggest painting to protect the roots from sun exposure. Green provides moderate heat absorption.
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Step 4
Use your knife to cut soaker holes. Carefully cut crosses into the bottom part of the ridges in the inserted bottom. These let water slowly soak through to the plant. Be careful not to make these too big or your planter will be leaky---you want the water to stay close to the plant.
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Step 5
Place the bottle upright, spout up. Use a funnel to fill the bottle around halfway with soil. Carefully insert plant, roots first, leaving the above-ground portion sticking out from the cap, then finish filling the rest of the bottle with soil. Water while the plant is upright so the water can moisten and pack down the soil. This will help the soil stay put when you turn the bottle upside down. Attach string or wire to hanger holes and hang from an awning or other outdoor structure to ensure the plant receives plenty of air and direct sun.
