Introduction: Upcycled Soda Can Planter -Pepper in a Can

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About: I play with light

This Instructable will cover how to start a pepper plant in a 12 - 24 oz drink can. While you can start any kind of pepper in a can, small varieties like filius blue, black pearl, and aji charapita are good candidates to stay in the can until they produce pods.

There a numerous Pepper In A Can or Chili In A Can challenges on social media, and while I am not participating in any of them, I love the idea of repurposing items to grow food in. Since I take every opportunity possible to encourage our students to reduce reuse and recycle, we will be growing mini peppers using this method. This will not only teach them to grow and care for pepper plants, but it will also reinforce the idea that we can and should reuse items to reduce waste in our everyday activities. We will be growing the plants in the cans, using a clear 2 oz take-out container as a humidity dome, and using an old solo cup to make plant labels.

So, head over to your recycle bin and grab the necessary materials.

Supplies

  • Empty beverage can
  • Clear 2 oz take out container
  • Old solo cup
  • Can opener
  • Drill and a small bit
  • Sanding Paper
  • Soil
  • Seeds
  • Pencil

Optional decorative items.

  • Paint
  • Leftover Cardstock
  • Stickers

Step 1: Add Drainage Holes

  • Flip the can over
  • Drill 5-6 holes in the bottom

Step 2: Remove Top

  • Flip the can over (right side up) and use a can opener to remove the top
  • Check the lip for any sharp edges and sand down with sanding paper

Step 3: Add Soil

Fill can with soil
Tap it on the counter to pack the soil in a little and add more soil until mostly full.

Step 4: Moisten the Soil

Add a little bit of water to the can to moisten the soil. You don't want water dripping out the bottom.

Step 5: Add Seeds

  • Poke a small hole with the eraser end of a pencil
    Drop a seed in the hole
  • Lightly cover with soil

Step 6: Water Gently

Add a bit of water

Step 7: Cover

Place the 2 oz cup over the can until sprouting

Step 8: Make a Label

Instead of tossing a solo cup in the trash, you can cut them up into little strips and use them as plant labels. This generic cup had little arrow shapes, so I just cut along the design.

By the way, if you have any of these cups around, they also make excellent seed starting pots for tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers and similar plants

Step 9: Keep Warm & the Soil Moist

Place in a sunny warm spot

Check regularly as the seeds and young seedlings need moisture.

Step 10: Watch Them Grow

Step 11: Top Pepper

When the seedling had 6 sets of true leaves, cut the top off to encourage it to branch out.

I will add a photo when we get to that point