Posted: Sat Feb 02, 08 4:49 pm Post subject: coke bottle cloches?
With a few empty coke bottles sitting in the garage waiting and a plan to go scrounge through the neighbourhood's plastic recycling bins over the next couple of weeks for coke and mineral water bottles, I may well have a reasonable supply (about 20 or so) of large, clear plastic bottles to start seeds off outside.
I was going to use these to get some runner and french beans and peas off earlier and easier than my limited supply of windowsill will allow. I was also thinking of starting off a couple of courgette and squash plants off like this as well. Does this all sound like a good idea? If not, then why.
However, i need to ask a couple of what are probably very stupid questions. Is cutting the top off them and using the bottom straight bit and base the right idea?
When should I look at planting stuff out directly into the ground using these things and when should I take them off?
Deffo lids OFF, or you'll get too much condensation inside and rotting plants.
wellington womble
Joined: 08 Nov 2004 Posts: 15051 Location: East Midlands
Posted: Sat Feb 02, 08 5:52 pm Post subject:
I cut them into rings and use them to kep slugs off, with or without copper tape, depending on the attractiveness of the plant inside - works brilliantly. Never used them as cloches, but have a virtually limitless supply from work, so will have a go this year.
used the larger juice bottles a cloches for my lettuce. worked great. top half no lids some even had little handles on them for easier lifting.
Pilsbury
Joined: 13 Dec 2004 Posts: 5645 Location: East london/Essex
Posted: Sat Feb 02, 08 8:04 pm Post subject:
anyone want the big 4 litre squash botles from Robinsons? I get through 4 or 5 a week so a pretty constant supply and I would be happy to sent them to people for the price of postage which should be low as they are light.
I tried this once. They all blew away - one or two up rooting the seedling and taking it too! Took ages to find them all in the field below.
Have since planted some hedging to try to give my garden some shelter, but looking outside today.... I'll not try old bottles again.
Nick
Joined: 02 Nov 2004 Posts: 34535 Location: Hereford
Posted: Sun Feb 03, 08 1:34 pm Post subject:
You could tie the together with lengths or string/wire, perhaps with spaced out CDs to discourage birds? Might provide a more anchored structure, but if they do blow away at least you'd be able to find them more easily,
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