June 6, 2019

How to Build a Self-Watering Planter with a Recycled Bottle

In this article, you will learn how to build a self-watering planter with a recycled plastic bottle. This is a very simple and very inexpensive agricultural activity, and is a great educational experience for kids!

This project is also a great opportunity to recycle and practice a little bit of sustainable living.

Check Out the Video on YouTube!

Check out the Self-Watering Planter Video on YouTube!

Supplies

There are only a few supplies required to build a recycled self-watering planter.

–2 liter plastic soda bottle

–Potting soil

–A small bit of rock wool or a chunk of sponge

–Some bean seeds

Recycled plastic bottle and some rock wool

1. Cut the bottle in half

We simply used scissors to cut around the bottle. The kids will need help with this part.

2. Remove the label and invert the top into the bottom

This will increase the visibility. Your kids will be able to see the seeds germinate and watch the roots develop.

The top will hold the plants and growing medium. The bottom will hold the water reservoir.

3. Add your sponge or rockwool

Place a small chunk of rockwool or sponge into the hole in the top section. This will create a partition to keep your soil from falling down. It will also help your water wick up into the soil.

Place a piece of sponge or rockwool in the opening of the bottle

4. Add your soil

Fill the top section full of potting soil and pack it down a bit.

Fill your planter with soil and pack it down gently

5. Fill bottom section with water

Fill about ¾ full. The excess will come out when you place the top with soil back into place. The water will immediately start to move slowly into the soil.

6. Plant your seeds

At this point, go ahead and add some water to the surface of your soil. This will help the seeds stick better.

I used bean seeds because they germinate quickly and grow rapidly.

Place your bean seeds into the soil and space them out evenly

Push the seeds into soil and cover lightly.

Cover the seeds with soil and tamp them down gently

7. Add water to the bottom reservoir as necessary

This should only be required about every 10 days at the most. Mine went about 2 weeks without attention. The rockwool does an excellent job of slowly drawing the water up into the soil.

Alternative planting method #1 (Visibility method)

Soak your seeds overnight. This will get them kick-started by breaking down the seed shell.

Then, plant the seed at the edge of the container. This will give the kids a perfect view of every stage of the plant’s development. It is like a window underground.

If you are planning to do it this way, use a clear uncolored bottle. This will increase your visibility.

Alternative planting method #2 (Hydroponic method)

Go back to Step 3. Instead of soil, place a softball sized chunk of the rockwool into the top section.

Add a couple of tablespoons of liquid plant food to your water reservoir below. (There are many organic and inorganic liquid fertilizers on the market. It is strictly your preference.)

It’s personal preference whether to use organic or inorganic plant food. There are several commercially available products out there.

Wet the rockwool and place your seed into a small hole in the center of the the rockwool surface. The plant will grow without soil.

Two Week Update

These seeds were planted 2 weeks ago, no water has been added. As you can see, the bean plants are growing nicely in our DIY self-watering planter.

Two weeks after planting our bean plants

Conclusion

It’s that easy to build your own self-watering planter from recyclable plastic bottles! Try it different ways, use different seeds, but most importantly, keep it fun and educational.

This project is a great opportunity to educate about agriculture, nature, and gratitude. Every seed contains the ‘miracle of creation’. Seed germination is a miracle, and it is ours whenever we need it. So let’s keep teaching and learning.

Thank you for spending this time with me.

Love, Peace, and Light.

Terry

Thistle Downs Farm

Terry has a Master’s Degree in Business Administration. He has taught in the New York State School system for 18 years, where he teaches Career and Financial Management, Agricultural Business, Marketing and Distribution, Sports Management, Wildlife Conservation Management, and Resort and Recreation Management. His time has also been spent as an FFA advisor for 12 years and he has been farming his 100-acre family farm since 1991. Terry has a deep love of all types of agriculture and takes every opportunity to promote agricultural education.