Make your own Mini Greenhouses – DIY for Seedlings
Every year I start planting my seeds very early in the house. I live on a mountain on the VA/NC border near the Blue Ridge Parkway. It is so windy here off the mountain that I needed my plants to be super sturdy before planting outside. I moved here in 2010 and its been a huge adjustment for this Yankee NY Girl to say the least. One thing that I really dislike is that people here don’t seem to recycle anything. In New York we paid deposits on bottles and returned them to the stores. Here the only place that takes them is the school at certain times of the year when they are fund-raising and even then they only accept aluminum cans (and then sell them), but not plastic bottles.
Being a huge Green Living Lover I found a way to reuse our bottles. I have also stopped buying soda since it produces so much waste and I want our world to be around for generations to come :).
I make my own Mini Greenhouses with our bottles. These are so easy to make and work extremely well. I also love that after we plant in the garden I can use the top of the soda bottle to protect them from the wind. Or in the extreme case like this year we had frost pretty late into the spring so it kept our little starters warm and alive 🙂
As you can see above in the picture I use every part of the bottles. I even leave the lids on causing the bottles to act as enclosed green houses. I can also water them easily without the seedlings being exposed to cooler air. Don’t laugh but I also make my seed holder cups out of toilet paper rolls. I find that they break down pretty easy. I used bubble wrap that comes in packages that are delivered. I reuse that many times since I don’t want that in the landfill either and it makes a really nice insulator to hold my plants.
The very bottom that I cut off first I use to start seedlings. Many seeds I soak in the cup until they just start to sprout then move to the homemade greenhouses.You can also put dirt in the little cups and use that to root plants. It’s really just a matter of what you prefer. I also found a deal a few years ago on clearance for the Burpee Plant Markers and stocked up on them. You will want to label what seeds you have. It’s easy to get confused or just plain forget what you planted and where. Trust me I know from experience. One year I wrote on the cardboard holder and the marker I used bled. Not fun trust me lol 🙂 You could write on the plastic with a magic marker anything to keep yourself organized. I also put the date I planted. I do grow certain plants year round in my home. I love having carrots, radishes, hot cayenne peppers and scallions all the time year round so I use my greenhouses year round. ( I know I am a bit left of center) haha.
The other thing I do with the bottoms is use them for sprouting. I am a huge sprouts lover and have found the bottoms work beautifully for my broccoli sprouts and mung bean sprouts and my latest obsessions, Adzuki Bean sprouts and Chia Seeds. But that is for a different post.
NOTE: Use gloves, Sturdy ones and be careful when cutting the bottom off the bottle. It can shift on you. So use caution!
My girls are grown but I bet if you have little ones they would love to help with these. I know I sometimes will plant a few green beans because they grow so fast and are fun to watch in the green house. Yes. Small things amuse me.
I hope you try this and I would love to hear what you thought and how it worked out for you. Til Next time…
I think that is such a cool idea. I never would have thought to do that, but I think I am going to give it a go 🙂
Robin (Masshole Mommy) recently posted…The Newport Cliff Walk – Newport, RI
I agree Robin… I’m going to try it too next year. I’d told Laura my challenge is my seedlings hardening off… they are always so spindly. I think this would be a solution!
What a fun idea! I need to try this with my son.
Cool, Daisy! Please be sure and stop back by – let us know if you do! Kids have a great way about them – having fun with projects and even personalizing them… we’d love to hear what you all come up with!
This is such a fun summer project and a great use of an everyday throw away!
I agree Angela! Thanks for stopping by!
What a great idea. Upcycling is the best!
Ellen Christian recently posted…Updating Our Style with Sauder Woodworking Co.
This is so cool, my daughters will make this soon. They will love it. 😀
HOW FUN! and practical too. I love your ideas and cant wait to use them to grow some yummy sprouts!
I’d love to hear how they come out Jen. I love mine, its hard to make a sandwich without them on it now lol 🙂
I love the eco-friendly factor here!! Very cool!
Emily recently posted…Spring & Summer Toddler Fashion Essentials for Boys!
I’m pretty sure I tried this one time for a science fair project. So fun!
Becca @ Mama B recently posted…5 Tips to Surviving Allergy Season with Angel Soft
Oh I hope you did. Trust me its still fun today and I’m in my umm 50’s LOL
Wow, this is so simple! I need to do make some of these.
What a great idea. Thank you for sharing. I would love to try this.
I don’t have a lot of space for a greenhouse but would love one. This is the perfect solution, thanks!
Tammi @ My Organized Chaos recently posted…Kids Guide to Beaches Resorts Turks and Caicos
These are so cute and super-easy to make… Would be a fun thing to do with the kids this Summer. Thanks for sharing.
What a neat idea!
Elizabeth @Being MVP recently posted…PicturesOnGold.com Father’s Day Contest
What a wonderful idea especially for someone like me that does not have the roll for a full size greenhouse!
Mama to 5 BLessings recently posted…Baby Playing Ball (Almost) Wordless Wednesday With Linky
what a great idea! I love that you used the bottles to help the plants grow. I am passing this idea onto my daughter’s teachers!
Amanda A recently posted…Our Week in Pics (week 114 & 115)
Thank you so much Amanda. This would be a great project for school 🙂
What a fun idea.. I soo have to give this a try, maybe I will have a green thumb then, too… Love it… thanks for sharing
CrazyMom a/k/a Melanie recently posted…Welcome Summer in Style with a fun Gourmet Pizza Party and enter a #SummerGetaway
I know you can do it 🙂 It’s fun and that is half the battle. 🙂
I would love to do a project like this with my students! Thanks for the tips and instructions!
Laurie – Steals and Deals for Kids recently posted…Doll Clothes for American Girl Dolls: 4 Pc Peace to the World Outfit -(Includes Skirt, Sweatshirt, Leggings,and Sneakers) $12.95 {reg. $24.95}
Oh Laurie I hope you do. It’s amazing when the seeds pop and having your own mini greenhouse is such a great way for kids to learn. Thank you for stopping by.
I can kill anything, but this might be manageable.
Autumn @MamaChallenge recently posted…Get Thee to the Golden Potty: Potty Training Tips for Success {Baby BJORN Giveaway}
You would do great at this. I like you can water from the lid and never have to touch. It’s when I play with mine I run into trouble 🙂
Love the fact this saves money and is upcycling. It’s also a great educational project!
Liz Mays recently posted…Easy Party Planning #PartyBlooms
Thank you Liz. It’s definitely a top used item in my home. I get such a rush when seeds pop through the soil haha. I Loved your elegance with the flowers too:)
How creative AND easy! I don’t have a yard or backyard to plant and I own cats, so no indoor plants … but perhaps one day!
Kristen @ My 3 Little Kittens recently posted…First Birthday Cupcakes with Raincoast Books
I’m glad you stopped by Kristen. I really liked your First Birthday Cupcakes too:)
I’ve done this before. Turned out great!
Sarah @ Must Have Mom recently posted…5 Reasons To Join Me On Beamly
I really need to try this!
Ann BAcciaglia recently posted…BConnected is Coming Back!
That is such a great idea!
Janice recently posted…Hawaiian Barbecue Chicken Skewers (and Tofu Skewers)
Thank you Janice. I hope it comes in handy at your house 🙂
That’s such a great idea!!! The perfect way to get seeds started too!
kristin recently posted…Silk Coconut Crusted Chicken Recipe
What a fantastic project to do for kids to help them learn all about gardening! I actually wouldn’t mind starting from the basics myself-I’m not much of a gardener and have a black thumb but that doesn’t stop me from wanting to try 😀
Kayla @ TheEclecticElement recently posted…A Day at the Farmer’s Market: Beloit, WI
This is definitely a starter project that you WILL succeed at. Try it!!
This is such a great idea and would help me save $ next year on plants, thanks!
I love this idea so much! My husband is out avid gardener around here so I will have to tell him!
i found this pinned on pinterest and i love it. what a great way for kids to learn about repurposing things and growing food!
brett recently posted…Pumpkin Recipe: Pumpkin Sauce and Meatball Recipe
What a great idea. I would love to try this in my home.
Dawn recently posted…Win A TWIX Bites And Fandango Prize Pack {US Ends 6/11} #sponsored #Twixbites
I hope you do Dawn. It’s so easy and your plants get the protection and love to grow happy and healthy.
What an awesome idea! My son love to grow things…this is perfect for him.
StacieinAtlanta recently posted…Summer Packing List for Girls {PRINTABLE}
This is a great idea to reuse plastic bottles and bubble wrap! I know what you mean about how people just don’t recycle. It’s starting to become more popular in parts of GA with the trash company also offering to take recycling, but if you don’t have this, sometimes there’s a public bin. Progress!
Vanessa @ Green Global Travel recently posted…MALAYSIA: Bornean Orangutan Conservation at Sepilok Rehabilitation Centre
Hi Vanessa,
I’m glad you like the Mini Greenhouses. I use them all the time. I’m so glad that GA is starting to recycle too.The good news is they make us be creative to help our world the bad news is it needs to happen faster. I am so glad you stopped by 🙂
That’s awesome! I love tutorials like this. I can use a plastic bottle instead of paying for the “Super Seed Starter 1000” or whatever it is they try to sell me in the garden aisle. Thanks!
Jennifer recently posted…Piña Colada Fruit Dip Recipe
I love this idea so much. I was thinking about starting my garden from seed this year. Thanks so much!
Dawn recently posted…Twist That Dish: Make Cheesy Chicken Pot Pie with Only 5 Ingredients
This is absolutely a genius idea. I have been looking for a way to get our seedlings started.
Kelly Hutchinson recently posted…My Journey Living With A Child With Sensory Processing Disorder
That is so cleaver and so simple! What a great idea! Especially since our weather is so fickle this time of year, a greenhouse effect is so needed for our seedlings.
Amber Edwards recently posted…6 Bathtub Safety Tips for Babies & Kids
That is a great DIY, it’d save you so much money. I bought a greenhouse kit a few years back and it was expensive and so flimsy.
Tammi @ My Organized Chaos recently posted…Crayola Virtual Products
What a neat idea! I’m planning to garden more this year, so I will have to try to start some seeds this way.
Chrysa recently posted…French Toast Muffin Recipe + 5 Ways to Keep Your Morning Running Smoothly
Our weather has been so back and forth lately, this would be perfect to get started with! I bet the kids would have a fun time helping me plant too.
What a fun thing to do with the kids. I love to grow plants, it’s kind of fun.
Aubrey recently posted…Weekly Calendar Planner Printable
What a great idea! We don’t have space for a garden, so this would be perfect! Love the idea of a mini little greenhouse!
Meagan recently posted…Weekly Calendar Planner Printable
What an awesome idea which lets you repurpose what would otherwise end up in the trash! I might try it with my boys for some fast growing items.
LauraOinAK recently posted…Starting My Day or Finding Time for Me with McCafé Coffee
What a great idea. I should do this with my kids as a homeschooling experiment.
I love this upcycling idea! I am going to try this with our seedlings this week!
Chelley @ AisForAdelaide recently posted…The Weather, #52WeeksA4A
I absolutely love this idea. We will have to do this on the weekend.
This is an awesome idea! Looks like the perfect summer project to do with the kiddos.
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