Ghetto Greenhouse:Seed Starter

Ghetto Greenhouse:Seed Starter
If you want to start a garden one of the cheapest ways to do so is to start your own plants from seeds. You can go out and buy a mini-greenhouse but why do it when you can make one. All you need is a plastic container (I'll use a soda bottle) some potting soil, and some seeds. The seeds you can buy or collect it doesn't matter.

You don't need to use grow lights with this method either as we'll take advantage of the free light the sun provides. It's a really easy and cheap way to start plants for a garden that's either there for your enjoyment or for growing your own food.

After you've grown your seeds you can use it to beautify your home, or do some guerrilla gardening, donate them to charity or sell your plants for raise money for your favorite cause.

Who doesn't love plants?

(that was rhetorical)

You can see more stuff on one of my blogs.

You can also check out this as the seed starterseed starter blog entry. Check out the comments section for a couple of cool links to other people using this method.
 
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Step 1Get your tools ready.

Get your tools ready.
In this example I used a soda bottle but you can use anything around your house. It's a good way of recycling plastics. You need scissors, a soda bottle, soil, and seeds. The seeds you can buy or save the seeds from foods you eat and give them a try.
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82 comments
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Oct 10, 2011. 11:06 PMchanara says:
The reason I clicked on this link over other links is because it used the word 'ghetto' I thought, ah, someone young who'll probably talk my lingo. Offended? not I.
Mar 19, 2009. 6:32 PMprincessbunnyrooroo says:
HEIRLOOM SEEDS PEOPLE!!!!!!! Don't use seeds from any store bought fruit- even organic. Most are hybrids, which (can be organic- as it's done by cross-pollination, not gene splicing) will not be the fruit or vegetable you ate. Another reason not to use seed from store bought produce is that certain varieties tend to grow better in certain locales, or different regions. Even an organic tomato you buy may be shipped in from California. So a Kentucky gardener would not have much luck -the produce would be much more voulnerable to insect, viral & bacterial attack. Justinicus was correct - gene altered seed is being forced on American farmers. It is also given away to poor countries (some have laws that say you can't even save your own seed-farmer or not), who will soon have no agricultural plants to save seed from. WHAT YOU CAN DO Purchase, grow and save & share heirloom seeds. These are strains that do come true from seed, so you can save seed from what you've grown. AND / OR find a local seed saver group (know as seed banks)- many are sprouting up daily. On line there are several very good ones. You can even start your own. If we don't protect our heirloom seeds - some very large conglomerate will proffit from, own, and control all seed. It's bad folks - look into it. It's bad.Very Bad
Apr 13, 2009. 7:39 PMlucek says:
you can claim so but what do you really know. this is like how people freaked out about trans fats when they are chemically identical to saturated fats. or claims that corn sugar isn't broken down the same way in the body as cane sugar.
Jul 26, 2011. 1:42 PMprincessbunnyrooroo says:
well-it's been 2 years now, have you looked up this topic yet?
or is your head still buried in the sand?
notice that no one shares your view?
Jul 26, 2011. 8:40 PMlucek says:
OK. Do you want to review what you said there?
"well-it's been 2 years now, have you looked up this topic yet? "
Begging the question.
"or is your head still buried in the sand?"
Ad hominym"
"notice that no one shares your view?"
Argumentum ad populum.

Heirloom seeds are just hype same with organic farming. Neither are safer. Neither are better for you, and in many cases they're actually worse for you, IE carrots (many heirloom varieties have much less betakaroten). And in blind taste tests there is no noticeable pattern between heirloom, organic, and conventionally grown fruits and vegetables.

In other words you are the one who needs to open you're mind.
Mar 27, 2009. 8:32 PMmatthisone says:
I have Luffa seeds from plants that I grew myself. How do I share them with a seed bank? I also have home-grown Job's Tears seeds that I'm willing to share, but can't seem to find a seed bank in my area thanks, robyn
May 15, 2011. 2:24 PMjholcomb-1 says:
What a way to change the world. Make a greenhouse out of 2 liter. Start a community debate. My grandmother used to make these so birds would not eat the seeds.
Oct 11, 2009. 6:52 PMpinkie131 says:
i use soldering iron. switch the soldering iron tip to exacto knife to cut bottles clean.
Apr 1, 2011. 4:09 AMkwoodham says:
That's a genius idea, I've got the perfect project to put that to use on. Thanks for the tip!
Feb 22, 2011. 7:24 PMRonyon says:
Love the Instructible, I will be using some of the principles when I do my dearth box style planters this year.
As a side note, I grew using the term jerry rigged,to describe ingenious use of minimal materials to create a needed item.
I picked it up from Tom Swift Jr. novels that where dated when I read them.
It was not used pejoratively, in fact the ability to do much with little was presented as a skill to be admired.
Much later in life I became an industrial electrician, and became acquainted with the terms Afro-Engineering and N!gger-Rigging.
Being born into the 70's and Black, I was not unaware of racial slurs, but,hadn't heard these particular ones.
The Afro -Engineering term was used pointedly, repeatedly,with intent to harm. The N!gger Rigging term was used in an off handed manner, the user was immediately ashamed and apologetic and embarrassed.
One of these men I was able to trust to have my back, despite the differences in our back ground.Guess which one?

I say this to suggest that we not look for offense when none is intended.For example, It was only after decades of use that I became aware of one possible etomology of the term Jerry-Rigged entered my awareness.
Wiki says it better than I:
"The folk etymology is that "Jerry-rigged" was employed by World War II British troops to refer to the German use of scavenged parts to keep vehicles and weapons functional, from the use of "Jerry" as a pejorative term for German soldier"

Huh.Mind you I have been born and raised in a city that claimes to have the largest Oktoberfest outside of Germany, but of even so Germans in Cincinnati don't think about their German heritage everyday.
After all, their forefathers had the German crushed out of them.
Again Wiki says it better, but just a link this time:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Over-the-Rhine#Economic_Decline

Do I still use Jerry Rigged?
Yeah.No one seems to mind, and frankly, I feel a kinship with this idea of a minority population struggling to do more with less.
That is a skill to be proud of.So even though I didn't grow up in ghetto of any kind, I cherish this one positive connotation of the word, and practice it every chance I get.


Sep 22, 2010. 2:22 PMibuddah says:
It is just a word Ghettover it!.

Keep on posting and remember your right to freedom of speech.

Good job!
May 29, 2010. 3:32 PMxhellabentx says:
i didn't think  it was cute or funny i thought it was right on in fact you dont let anyone tell you how to speak if they have a problem its THEIR problem. I'm not African American but sure grew up without a lot especially without people who took the time to help others so keep on posting and THANKS
May 11, 2010. 7:43 AMAnna Boone says:
I'm so called trailer trash myself. Seems to me that calling a thrifty & cool recyclable idea "Ghetto"couldn't remotely be viewed as any kind of put down.
Dec 16, 2009. 8:21 AMlain_blank says:
hi i have a question, this insrutable seems very effective but how do you plan on removing the plants to place in a larger space?
Mar 22, 2010. 8:17 PMastrong0 says:
...a box cutter?... unless your really good and can use the force to move the plants out of the container.
Feb 1, 2010. 1:40 PMdildo224 says:
Wow nice! This is the most usefull thing i found on the internet about plants! Very thankfull. a little tip: Try cover the bottom where you can see the earth with something i heared sunlight is bad for the roots. Thanks again!
Look at mine ^^ (still have to cover the earth)
Use_me.JPG
Oct 30, 2009. 4:35 PMR0UNDEYEZ says:
Great idea!! that is one big thing I love about this site, the way people will reuse the things they have around their house (trailer park? GHETTO?! haha) in incredibly clever ways.

Sep 17, 2009. 2:43 PMahava488 says:
This is an awesome tutorial for a poor college student like myself. Plus it reuses trash which is always a plus. Would you recommend transferring your plant to a bigger container once it has grown a few inches? I'm not sure at what point you'd do this.
Aug 23, 2009. 7:33 AMfartface says:
Hey!!! that's a great idea!!!! i never thought of replacing cookie sales with plant sales!!!!! but i probably should put up a warning sign that says, " no refund/returns if they die". what if i do a terrible job and when they take it home it dies?!!! anyways...i plan to do this is the future with my next charity run. YAY!! something new!!!!! thanks!!!
Jul 21, 2009. 5:13 PMmacpower says:
I love your a part of a city, esp. a slum area, occupied by a minority group or groups garden. As for the rest of the sociopolitical commentary, why don't all us n!gger, sp!ck, cr@cker, k!ke, j@p, n!p, dºthead, monkeys STFU? I suppose if the poster called it a gimp garden, he'd be assaulted by the differently-abled? the handicapable? It's an instructable for Pete's sake!! (great, now I'm gonna here from Pete! Forget it, I take it all back. Great 'ible!) :) Let's have fun folks!
Jun 26, 2009. 9:46 AMjosiedrewes says:
I love this idea. It's also great that it stirred up a thought provoking conversation. Way to go!
May 30, 2009. 12:47 PMthepelton says:
I have grown beansprouts in a jar with no dirt. They are cheap, loaded with vitamins, and can provide you with salad greens all year round.
Jun 5, 2008. 9:05 AMREAL6 says:
Mobjo: A ghetto is described as a "portion of a city in which members of a minority group live especially because of social, legal, or economic pressure" Also, the term 'Ghetto' was originally used to refer to the Venetian Ghetto in Venice, Italy where Jews were forced to live. The word "ghetto" actually means "foundry" in Italian, a reference to a foundry located on the same island as the area of Jewish confinement. And if you want to get more technical: The corresponding German term was Judengasse known as the Jewish Quarter. The term came into widespread use in Ghettos in occupied Europe 1939-1944 where the Jews were required to live prior to their transportation to concentration and death camps. The term "ghetto" still has a similar meaning, but referring to broader range of social situations, such as any poverty-stricken urban area. Sorry but i was bored....
Apr 21, 2009. 8:15 PMsocialtalker says:
you are only covering the "denotation" in your first sentence.
and whatever the eariler 20th century "connotation" refering to "jewish ghetto"
it has taken on a different meaning now referring in a negative manner to black people and their culture.
its not a neutral term NOW, if it ever was and by claiming that it is intellectually a little dishonest.
Apr 13, 2009. 5:59 PMmagnoliasouth says:
I too did this in school eons ago, but I forgot all about it until I came upon your tut. Thanks so much for sharing!
Jan 3, 2009. 8:17 AMlucek says:
I made one of thees back in 3rd grade with one of the oldtimy bottles that had the black bottom.
Apr 12, 2009. 7:57 AMjojito says:
guess im old too!
Jan 12, 2009. 12:45 PMbailey_bails says:
would it be ok to use 16 oz. bottles?
Jan 3, 2009. 6:07 AMcabrlamo says:
I have also used milk jugs to do this. You really do need holes and not slits. I have had success with a drill. If you can stack several close together you can drill holes in several of them at a time. Efficient!
Jun 21, 2007. 7:06 PMJustinicus says:
Just a note for anyone considering saving seeds from their purchased food -- many commercial farms use seeds bred for a number of nice features such as disease resistance, good stability so it doesn't rot in shipping, etc. And a common feature is very valuable to the seed-manufacturers... sterility. That makes sure the farmers/farm corporations have to come back every year and buy a whole new load of seed. It also means that there's a good chance you can't plant the seeds from your apple and expect them to grow. If the thought of putting all that time and energy into dead, sterile seeds just breaks your heart, you might want to play it safe and buy your seeds in a seed packet.
Sep 6, 2008. 3:46 PMbedeboop says:
I think, with apple trees, and most fruit trees, it is not so much they won't grow if the seed is taken from the apple you bought at the store. I believe there needs to be TWO trees in order to pollinate. Something along those lines Am I remembering wrong?
Mar 12, 2008. 8:51 PMstalkingcoco says:
Lots of plants do grow from food seeds, whether or not they are exactly the same as the parent plant is another matter. I'm currently growing several fruit trees from food seeds, but I have been informed that my chances of the trees growing and fruiting as their mothers did is slight. These were probably f1 hybrids, maybe being cross polinated with other trees, crab apples for apples, etc. So although I have some healthy plants, I'm possibly not going to get the best fruit, time will tell. If you want a specific variety buy the seeds or plants. A note on buying fruit trees; some of the big multiples sell good trees further on than you'll get at a garden centre for the same price (therefore closer to fruiting), nothing too rare but some good fruiters. Check that you can see buds as they are often not watered sufficiently and don't plant them out until the hard frosts are over.
May 30, 2009. 12:51 PMthepelton says:
Trees can grow from discarded apple seeds, but they may come up looking more like a small warty crabapple than a prime supermarket apple. Many of the commercial types are made from grafts from a few trees with the best looking apples.
May 22, 2008. 12:58 AMGrey_Wolfe says:
You are correct on the "not nessecarily the same as the parent" note. Golden delicious apples are a good point, they will, if successful in germination, ALWAYS produce red delicious trees. Golden delicious apples are a mutation that does not breed true. All golden delicious apple trees are the product of grafting, either from the original oddities, or from later grafted trees. A bit of agricultural trivia there.
Apr 25, 2010. 8:40 AMThe Dark Ninja says:
I love it, thanks for that info Grey Wolfe. I found that out when trying to grow cherry seeds from store-bought cherries. I don't know what went wrong when I did it but the tree that grew was NOT a cherry tree by any shape or form. Very odd, and it puzzled me for a long while.
May 22, 2008. 1:02 AMGrey_Wolfe says:
Second note: If you are using fruit seeds from tree born fruit, the trees you produce will be nowhere near as disease or climate resistant as the parent plant, as all commercially sold fruit trees have roots from more resistant varieties grafted an to more succulent fruit bearing stalks. Frankly speaking, the hardier trees tend to produce undelectable fruit. (This is for anyone who didn't know. I'm not making any assumptions at the level of education anyone might have.)
May 25, 2008. 4:31 PMstalkingcoco says:
Any idea what you might get from black cherry seeds? I have nice small trees (grown to about 8 inches in 3 months) currently growing in the greenhouse; I'm trying to speed their growth. They do very much look like geans though. Also I'm trying tomato seeds from a store-bought tomato, so far they are growing well. Last year I grew tomatoes from the seed of the year-before's tomatoes, which worked well.
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Author:MrBrownThumb
Guy from Chicago interested in a wide range of things. Right now I'm really into Cacti And Succulents and plant propagation from seed and crossings. Check out my blog about gardening if you're bored.