Pete’s mini hot house works so well, it would be a sin not to share how easy it is to make. It is also “dirt” cheap to create plus you are recycling (sort-of) all the while not needing to have a big garden, as this little nursery will fit perfectly on a window sill.
You will need:
- Empty 2 litre soda bottle
- Pebbles
- Palm Peat or potting soil
- Seeds of choice
- Tray/saucer (optional) – needed if you make holes in the bottom of the bottle
Cut the bottle in half. I find it easiest to poke through the bottle with a craft knife making a slit big enough for the blade of a scissors to fit into.
Poke a few drainage holes through the bottom half if you like for additional drainage.
Place a few pebbles in the bottom for drainage.
Fill approximately three quarters with palm peat made up according to the manufacturers instructions or with potting soil.
Sprinkle your seed over the surface of the dirt and cover with a light layer of soil.
Water and squish the lid on and place in a sunny spot. Water once a week until seedlings are ready to be transplanted.
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That is such a cute and awesome idea for those lacking in space
Cheers
CCU
By: Choc Chip Uru on January 31, 2013
at 07:15
And it really works like a charm too CCU. Have a lovely day.
xo
By: thecompletecookbook on January 31, 2013
at 08:14
aaah these are awesome we used to make them as kids with the 2L coke bottles that had the black plastic base to them…we’d pull that off and plant the seeds in there…cut the neck of the bottle off and turn it upside down over the seeds…works like a charm!! fun project for kids
By: Janine Hoffmann on January 31, 2013
at 08:07
Hi Janine, I remember doing that with the old coke bottles too – worked like a charm because there were already holes in the bottom of the base plus it was a nice dark environment for the seeds. Aah, the good old days. Have a happy day.
xo
By: thecompletecookbook on January 31, 2013
at 08:16
Hi Mandy, nice tutorial
I also use the top half of the 500ml bottles to protect seedlings planted directly in situ against weather, snails and cutworm. Laura
By: RecyclerSA on January 31, 2013
at 08:26
Hi Laura, thanks for stopping by. What a brilliant idea about the 500ml bottles, thanks for sharing that! Have a super day.
By: thecompletecookbook on January 31, 2013
at 10:53
Those plastic bottles have many uses! And this is another great one! xx
By: Hotly Spiced on January 31, 2013
at 11:51
I recently saw somebody cut the bottles up to make a broom – very clever. Have a great day Charlie.
xo
By: thecompletecookbook on January 31, 2013
at 12:02
Mandy, could you show me the broom thingy – that sounds interesting – please. Laura
By: RecyclerSA on January 31, 2013
at 16:47
Hi Laura, I hope this link works: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=435327846480434&set=a.396219183724634.99569.215817385098149&type=1&relevant_count=1
By: thecompletecookbook on January 31, 2013
at 17:15
Brilliant! Thanks for sharing
By: Tandy on January 31, 2013
at 14:21
Always nice sharing ideas. Have a happy afternoon .
xo
By: thecompletecookbook on January 31, 2013
at 14:47
This is great, Mandy! Anything to repurpose those plastic bottles. They’re everywhere! I need to consider using them when I start my spring planting. (Gee, that makes it sound like I’ve a farm to plant. Ha!)
By: ChgoJohn on January 31, 2013
at 14:31
Who says a farm has to be big John, you may just have a really teeny tiny little farm. Have a lovely day.
xo
By: thecompletecookbook on January 31, 2013
at 14:49
Cool idea except I would not be able to utilize it since neither I nor my friends have access to those plastic bottles..
By: Norma Chang on January 31, 2013
at 16:07
How is it that you don’t have access to plastic bottles Norma?
By: thecompletecookbook on January 31, 2013
at 16:23
I must agree with Norma: it is a wonderful idea, but I have not has ‘one of those bottles’ in my house for years and years either
!
By: Eha on February 1, 2013
at 03:53
Hi Eha, how lucky that you don’t have any plastic bottles. Have a super weekend.
By: thecompletecookbook on February 1, 2013
at 08:23
Because I do not drink soda or bottled juices.
By: Norma Chang on February 2, 2013
at 01:22
Fantastic.
By: thecompletecookbook on February 2, 2013
at 11:11
A great idea, Mandy.
By: Angie@Angie's Recipes on January 31, 2013
at 17:05
Thanks Angie. Have a super day.
xo
By: thecompletecookbook on January 31, 2013
at 17:16
What a great idea, Mandy! I think I could actually do this without screwing too much up
Thanks! xoxo
By: Sarah on January 31, 2013
at 18:26
You will be a pro at growing seeds in no time at all Sarah. Hope you are well.
xo
By: thecompletecookbook on January 31, 2013
at 18:32
I’m all for using up those bottles – great tutorial! what seedlings are you sprouting this year?
By: Chica Andaluza on January 31, 2013
at 20:27
Thanks Tanya! All I have planted so far is rhubarb. Still waiting to find out about our next move to Namibia so haven’t really started with anything. Have a lovely evening.
xo
By: thecompletecookbook on January 31, 2013
at 21:11
Thank you for the perfect wintertime craft to do with my littles this weekend!
By: {Main St. Cuisine} on January 31, 2013
at 20:39
Thanks for stopping by Allison. Glad you like this idea. Enjoy creating these mini hothouses with your little ones.
xo
By: thecompletecookbook on January 31, 2013
at 21:11
That is a very interesting idea. Currently I am in mourning as I have just lost one of my very dear bonsai trees. I must not have been a good mom….
By: Bam's Kitchen on February 1, 2013
at 04:17
Oh dear Bam, what a pity about your bonsai. My hubby has just started with bonsai growing. I hope it won’t be too long before you start with another tree – I’m sure your next seed would sprout perfectly in one of these mini hothouses. Have a lovely weekend.
xo
By: thecompletecookbook on February 1, 2013
at 08:24
What a lovely project!
By: kathryningrid on February 2, 2013
at 07:56
Thanks Kathryn.
Have a beautiful weekend. 
xo
By: thecompletecookbook on February 2, 2013
at 11:12
I love posts like this! Please do more, with trader joes too please!
By: Lara Klein on February 2, 2013
at 10:22
Thanks Lara. We don’t have a Trader Joe’s in South Africa. Have a lovely weekend.
By: thecompletecookbook on February 2, 2013
at 11:13
Great seed starting idea! I’ll ask my students to bring me bottles since we don’t use/have them at home. I’m going to try for some celery, sprouting from celery I trimmed in the kitchen. Woo-woo-celery!
By: Spoon Feast on February 2, 2013
at 15:14
I would love to hear how you get along with your celery. Have a super weekend.
By: thecompletecookbook on February 2, 2013
at 15:45
The temps in St. Louis took a huge dive this week making me miss gardening so much. This super idea will be good therapy. Thank you!!
By: divaofdelicious on February 2, 2013
at 23:11
Hi Christy, so pleased you will be using this as a bit of therapy. I would love to hear what you are planting. Have a super weekend.
By: thecompletecookbook on February 3, 2013
at 09:23
I love this idea for Father’s Day! My dad loves this kind of stuff.
FAB! Xxxxx Kiss for you, dear.
By: My Inner Chick on February 3, 2013
at 18:05
Excellent Kim. You could even put all of the goodies together in a gift and he can make one himself. Have a beautiful love filled week ahead friend.
xo
By: thecompletecookbook on February 4, 2013
at 09:14
Soda bottles are great for this…gardeners need all the help they can get to have a head start with healthy plants grown from seed.
By: Karen on February 4, 2013
at 02:10
I love that something so simply can be so effective. Have a super week ahead Karen.
xo
By: thecompletecookbook on February 4, 2013
at 09:15
Yay Pete! Cool idea
By: moi du toi photography on February 4, 2013
at 18:30
Such a clever boy he is.
xo
By: thecompletecookbook on February 5, 2013
at 15:19
Thank you so much for sharing this. I LOVE IT! I’ve just had the rest of my basil “mowed” by The Moe & this would be a great way to keep curious kitty out of my plants. Now I just have to get some new seeds – I hope they start putting those out soon here.
By: dianeskitchentable on February 4, 2013
at 23:35
Naughty kitty eating your herbs – wonder if he thinks its a cousin to catnip? Hope you get your seeds soon. Have a lovely day.
xo
By: thecompletecookbook on February 5, 2013
at 15:19
Grrrr….my basil & chives are completely gone. I think he’s just testing my patience.
By: dianeskitchentable on February 5, 2013
at 22:40
Aah yes, our little fur babies know what buttons to push to get a reaction out of us!
xo
By: thecompletecookbook on February 6, 2013
at 07:24
such a great idea- never thought about it before. i bet my little boy would love to do something like this with me! Thanks
By: Jessica Maher (@kbelleicious) on February 5, 2013
at 04:38
This really is a super task for the little ones. Hope you enjoy making one with Belle. Have a lovely day.
xo
By: thecompletecookbook on February 5, 2013
at 15:18