Homemade Mini Hot House

Posted on January 31, 2013 by thecompletebook

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.

50 thoughts on “Homemade Mini Hot House”

Choc Chip Uru on January 31, 2013 at 07:15 said:

That is such a cute and awesome idea for those lacking in space 😀

Cheers
CCU

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- thecompletecookbook on January 31, 2013 at 08:14 said:
  
  And it really works like a charm too CCU. Have a lovely day. 🙂 xo
  
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Janine Hoffmann on January 31, 2013 at 08:07 said:

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 🙂

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- thecompletecookbook on January 31, 2013 at 08:16 said:
  
  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
  
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RecyclerSA on January 31, 2013 at 08:26 said:

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

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- thecompletecookbook on January 31, 2013 at 10:53 said:
  
  Hi Laura, thanks for stopping by. What a brilliant idea about the 500ml bottles, thanks for sharing that! Have a super day. 🙂
  
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Hotly Spiced on January 31, 2013 at 11:51 said:

Those plastic bottles have many uses! And this is another great one! xx

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- thecompletecookbook on January 31, 2013 at 12:02 said:
  
  I recently saw somebody cut the bottles up to make a broom – very clever. Have a great day Charlie. 🙂 xo
  
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  - RecyclerSA on January 31, 2013 at 16:47 said:
    
    Mandy, could you show me the broom thingy – that sounds interesting – please. Laura
    
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    - thecompletecookbook on January 31, 2013 at 17:15 said:
      
      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 🙂
      
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Tandy on January 31, 2013 at 14:21 said:

Brilliant! Thanks for sharing 🙂

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- thecompletecookbook on January 31, 2013 at 14:47 said:
  
  Always nice sharing ideas. Have a happy afternoon . 🙂 xo
  
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ChgoJohn on January 31, 2013 at 14:31 said:

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!)

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- thecompletecookbook on January 31, 2013 at 14:49 said:
  
  Who says a farm has to be big John, you may just have a really teeny tiny little farm. Have a lovely day. 🙂 xo
  
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Norma Chang on January 31, 2013 at 16:07 said:

Cool idea except I would not be able to utilize it since neither I nor my friends have access to those plastic bottles..

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- thecompletecookbook on January 31, 2013 at 16:23 said:
  
  How is it that you don’t have access to plastic bottles Norma? 🙂
  
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  - Eha on February 1, 2013 at 03:53 said:
    
    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 🙂 !
    
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    - thecompletecookbook on February 1, 2013 at 08:23 said:
      
      Hi Eha, how lucky that you don’t have any plastic bottles. Have a super weekend. 🙂
      
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  - Norma Chang on February 2, 2013 at 01:22 said:
    
    Because I do not drink soda or bottled juices.
    
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    - thecompletecookbook on February 2, 2013 at 11:11 said:
      
      Fantastic. 🙂
      
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Angie@Angie's Recipes on January 31, 2013 at 17:05 said:

A great idea, Mandy.

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- thecompletecookbook on January 31, 2013 at 17:16 said:
  
  Thanks Angie. Have a super day. 🙂 xo
  
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Sarah on January 31, 2013 at 18:26 said:

What a great idea, Mandy! I think I could actually do this without screwing too much up 🙂 Thanks! xoxo

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- thecompletecookbook on January 31, 2013 at 18:32 said:
  
  You will be a pro at growing seeds in no time at all Sarah. Hope you are well. 🙂 xo
  
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Chica Andaluza on January 31, 2013 at 20:27 said:

I’m all for using up those bottles – great tutorial! what seedlings are you sprouting this year?

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- thecompletecookbook on January 31, 2013 at 21:11 said:
  
  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
  
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{Main St. Cuisine} on January 31, 2013 at 20:39 said:

Thank you for the perfect wintertime craft to do with my littles this weekend!

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- thecompletecookbook on January 31, 2013 at 21:11 said:
  
  Thanks for stopping by Allison. Glad you like this idea. Enjoy creating these mini hothouses with your little ones. 🙂 xo
  
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Bam's Kitchen on February 1, 2013 at 04:17 said:

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….

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- thecompletecookbook on February 1, 2013 at 08:24 said:
  
  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
  
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kathryningrid on February 2, 2013 at 07:56 said:

What a lovely project!

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- thecompletecookbook on February 2, 2013 at 11:12 said:
  
  Thanks Kathryn. 😀 Have a beautiful weekend. 🙂 xo
  
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Lara Klein on February 2, 2013 at 10:22 said:

I love posts like this! Please do more, with trader joes too please!

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- thecompletecookbook on February 2, 2013 at 11:13 said:
  
  Thanks Lara. We don’t have a Trader Joe’s in South Africa. Have a lovely weekend. 🙂
  
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Spoon Feast on February 2, 2013 at 15:14 said:

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!

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- thecompletecookbook on February 2, 2013 at 15:45 said:
  
  I would love to hear how you get along with your celery. Have a super weekend. 🙂
  
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divaofdelicious on February 2, 2013 at 23:11 said:

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!!

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- thecompletecookbook on February 3, 2013 at 09:23 said:
  
  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. 🙂
  
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My Inner Chick on February 3, 2013 at 18:05 said:

I love this idea for Father’s Day! My dad loves this kind of stuff.

FAB! Xxxxx Kiss for you, dear.

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- thecompletecookbook on February 4, 2013 at 09:14 said:
  
  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
  
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Karen on February 4, 2013 at 02:10 said:

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.

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- thecompletecookbook on February 4, 2013 at 09:15 said:
  
  I love that something so simply can be so effective. Have a super week ahead Karen. 🙂 xo
  
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moi du toi photography on February 4, 2013 at 18:30 said:

Yay Pete! Cool idea

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- thecompletecookbook on February 5, 2013 at 15:19 said:
  
  Such a clever boy he is. 🙂 xo
  
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dianeskitchentable on February 4, 2013 at 23:35 said:

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.

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- thecompletecookbook on February 5, 2013 at 15:19 said:
  
  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
  
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  - dianeskitchentable on February 5, 2013 at 22:40 said:
    
    Grrrr….my basil & chives are completely gone. I think he’s just testing my patience.
    
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    - thecompletecookbook on February 6, 2013 at 07:24 said:
      
      Aah yes, our little fur babies know what buttons to push to get a reaction out of us! 😉 xo
      
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Jessica Maher (@kbelleicious) on February 5, 2013 at 04:38 said:

such a great idea- never thought about it before. i bet my little boy would love to do something like this with me! Thanks

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- thecompletecookbook on February 5, 2013 at 15:18 said:
  
  This really is a super task for the little ones. Hope you enjoy making one with Belle. Have a lovely day. 🙂 xo
  
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