How to Water With Milk Jugs
Many people reuse milk jugs in garden projects, as the shape of a milk jug and its plastic construction make it an inexpensive and durable alternative to many manufactured garden products such as bird feeders, planters and watering cans. In addition, a reused milk jug doesn't wind up in a landfill. Watering your indoor and outdoor plants with a reconstructed milk-jug watering can isn't difficult and only requires a few tools and items found in most homes. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Milk jugs
- Water
- Mild detergent
- Markers (optional)
- Stickers (optional)
- Decals (optional)
- Drill
- Tape
- Funnel
Instructions
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1
Prep your milk jug. Remove your jug's screw-style or push-style cap. Wash out the milk residue completely with warm, soapy water and then rinse. Remove any stickers or glue from the jug and then set aside the jug to dry. After it has dried completely, decorate it with markers, stickers or decals as desired.
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2
Drill holes in the size of your choice in the jug's cap. In addition, with the milk jug sitting upright drill a wide hole down through the top of the jug's handle to make a "fill hole" for your homemade watering can.
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3
Screw or push the cap onto the mouth of the jug and then wrap tape around the neck and cap edge. If you're using a jug with a push-style cap, the tape will keep it from popping off while you are watering. Taping the cap to the jug will also keep water from dripping down the side of the jug when you're watering indoors.
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4
Place a funnel in the hole at the top of the handle and fill your jug to the bottom of the handle (typically, a little over the jug's halfway point) with water.
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5
Remove the funnel and go water your plants. Tip the jug over your plants so that the water sprinkles out. Refill after you empty the jug completely.
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Tips & Warnings
If you need a straight spout-style watering can, don't drill any holes in your jug. Instead, fill the jug with water and then screw or affix a compatible manufactured spout to the jug's mouth. If necessary, wrap with tape to secure the spout at the mouth.
To water a wider area each time you tip the jug, drill the holes--size and distribution as desired--through a side at the top of the jug instead of through the cap. Drill the "fill hole" through the handle and then proceed with Steps 3 through 5.
