Introduction: Eco-Friendly Plant Waterer - Made From Recycled Bottles!
This Is a Simple,Efficient and Green way to Water your Plants.
Why Is It Green?
1. Reduces Plastic Bottles in Landfills
2. You Don't Over Water Your Plants (Saves Water)
3. Uses Natural / Renewable Resources (Rain)
4. Saves You $ Money! $ (By Saving Water)
How It Works:
When soil is wet, it is very dense. As it dries out, it becomes ready to absorb more water.As water in the soil evaporates and is used by the plant, it draws more water out of the supply held in the top reservoir, then into the bottom reservoir and out the holes.
In Simpler Terms:
The Water Replaces the Air Gaps in the Soil.
Therefore the soil Brings in or "Sucks" water from the Bottle.
Bonus!- When it Rains It Fills up the Bottles For You!
NOTE: When I made this Instructable it was Still Winter. So I didn't get to take any pictures of it in the Soil. (Because its Frozen) And any of the Hole Sizes Can Be Changed. Experiment to find the ones that work best!
Step 1: What You Need...
You Will Need...
1. Drill and Drill Bits or Something to cut holes in plastic.
2. Hot Glue, Epoxy or Waterproof Tape
3. Scissors
4. 2 Bottles- One Small and Thin, One Large I.E Liter Bottle (I Didn't Have One)
Step 2: Time to Cut!
Get the Larger of the two Bottles and Your Scissors then Remove the Label as Best You Can.
Next Cut The Bottom Off of the Bottle.
As You Can See...
Step 3: Warm Up Your Drill!
Next Drill a Hole in the top of Both of the Caps.
You can use a Razor Blade or Exacto Knife for this step. BUT BE CAREFUL!!!
Note: For This Step I'm using a 1/2 Drill Bit.
Step 4: Warm Up Your Drill (Con't)
Now Drill Some Holes in the Side of the Smaller Bottle.
The Side That there drilled in is the side that the Plant is Going to Get the Water From.
Remember to Remove The Label!
Note:Hole Sizes can Be Changed. Experiment with different Sizes!
Step 5: Make the Connector
Locate the two caps that you Drilled Holes in Earlier.
Then using Hot Glue, Epoxy or Waterproof Tape. Glue the Two Caps Together.
If your using tape, stretch the tape evenly around the seam of the two caps. Use Multiple Layers.
Step 6: Connect and Your Done!
Just Screw The Two Bottles into Their Proper Caps and Place in Ground!
Fill with Water and Your on Your Way to Saving Money And Time.
Its That Simple!
Bonus!- When it Rains It Fills up the Bottles For You!
Below- Is My Poorly Drawn Picture of it Working.
In Case You Missed it from Before -When I Made this Instructable it was Still Winter. So I didn't get to take any pictures of it in the Soil. (Because its Frozen) And any of the Hole Sizes Can Be Changed. Experiment to find the ones that work best!
Participated in the
Epilog Challenge
20 Comments
12 years ago on Step 5
You could use a lighter to put the caps together by connecting them when they are a little hot
13 years ago on Introduction
I don't understand why you did all this work, I just put bottomless bottles into the ground.
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
yeah i agree, the idea is cool but it's sort of a waste of time
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
The water would run out too quickly. The small holes allow water to seep put over time, as the plant needs it.
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
the height of the holes also determine how far the water flows from the bottle.
the higher the shorter the lower the longer
13 years ago on Step 6
this is cool i cant wait to out it in my back yard. just one question. If it rain why would you need it?
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
I just put that in the photo to demonstrate that rain would refill the bottles and once the rain stopped it would continue to water the plant.
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
good point! :D
13 years ago on Introduction
Could I just drill some holes in a piece of PVC pipe, attach a 2Ltr bottle with the bottom removed, stick that in the ground where I wish to water, and fill the 2Ltr bottle???
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
Yes, but the pipe must be capped, also you would recycle more if you use the another bottle.
14 years ago on Introduction
Do you think SuperGlue would work?
Reply 14 years ago on Introduction
You Could Try It. Depending on the brand maybe. I wouldn't recommend it. But give it a try.
14 years ago on Introduction
Interesting idea to create a rain-trap with an underground reservoir. A few points I'd like to address. If the system depends on rainwater, wouldn't I be just as effective at trapping water by digging small channels directed to or encircling my plants*? I could also add 2" deep mulch around the plant/tree to reduce evaporation at the surface. *Trench in accordance to plants size and depth of roots. Then again, if there isn't enough rain, this is a clever supplement for "catching" and concentrating all you can especially for those plants establishing root mass. Another point: once the integrity of the plastic bottles begin to breakdown (not that plastic goes away (ex: Pacific Vortex), the home gardener can take the plastic bottles to the recycling plant --if one exist in your location. Also) If the DIY out there doesn't have a glue gun and drill or unable to borrow from a pal, you can create your seam with electrical tape available at any hardware store. Seriously, it is a vinyl tape (ie waterproof) which will stretch under tension and it works better when warmed up to 75(F). It will take a little exercise holding two bottles neck to neck as you go. Stretch the "black tape" 'til it begins to show "gray". If you stretch too much it breaks, but don't sweat it -just reapply and go! Start on one bottle and work it overlapping 1/3 each wrap. best results when finish tape job in center of taped area and not at edge. Finally, the plastic bottle system the above author created can be inverted and used as a heat (sol) and moisture trap for starters. Place the open end over your starters and push into soil. Once they establish roots, then you can flip the system over and bury the bottom section next to your row
Reply 14 years ago on Introduction
Thank You For Bring up Those Points. In Fact the System doesn't need rain water completely. Rain is an added bonus. I Designed this to have some human labor. This Device is meant for the user to go out and fill the reservoir then it slowly releases water only when the plant needs it. So you don't over water or under water your plants. And its better than going out every day to water them. And the tape (instead of glue or epoxy) is a great idea! I Couldn't of said it better my self. And yes you are right eventually the bottles do break down. Like you said you simply recycle them and make another one. It does take some time to deteriorate though. Exposure to the elements is the main cause. But it will last (Depending on the plastic and where you live) from 2 - 10 years. I Re-use mine as much as I can until they get to beaten up then I like I said before Recycle them and make a new one. Once again Thank you for bring those points up.
14 years ago on Introduction
Wont the dirt end up going through the holes over a period of time?
Reply 14 years ago on Introduction
yeah, but unless your soil is extremely liquidy mud, it won't fill the bottle up much. a few cm of dirt in the bottom of the bottom bottle won 't make much of a difference, after all. incidentally, this is also a very good system for liquid fertilizer application. I use fish fertilizer and compost tea with a similar system, and it's pretty spiffy.
14 years ago on Introduction
Great idea! But i afraid it will breed mosquito if the water in the top bottle is dirty.
Reply 14 years ago on Introduction
Hey Thanks For The Comment! But If You Have Problems With Mosquitos- You Can Put Mosquito Net On the top of the Bottle allowing water through but not Mosquitos.
Reply 14 years ago on Introduction
Don't worry, that water does not last much: it is absorbed by the earth.
14 years ago on Introduction
Good idea. I did something similar (only the top, and a pipe that went under the ground) to irrigate a small willow, and gave me good result. It is much more effective than normal Irrigation.