make it: water globe

This gardening thing can be tough day in and day out. Remembering to water, watering enough but not too much and the like can have a newbie gardener wondering what to do. So I went looking for tips or tools that promise to make watering easier. Enter water globes. These brilliant inventions can be filled with water and planted in pots or the ground alongside your seedlings and plants. The globes release water slowly and when the soil around your plant needs watering. The downside to these globes is that they are not super cheap, especially when you have a pot for every day of the week and then some.

Luckily, some crafty women got the inspired idea to make their own globes on the cheap. I followed their instructions and modified a bit to suit my needs. If you're interested in making your own globes, read on!

the goods

several bottles with their lids ( I used clear, glass soda bottles because I liked their look the best, and I had a bunch. But you could also use milk bottles, canning jars, water bottles, etc)
hammer
nail or screw
kitchen sponge

directions

1. select bottles and empty contents.
2. remove lids and soak bottles with labels in warm, soapy water for 10-15 minutes.
3. while bottles soak, hammer 4-5 holes into each lid (for canning jars, make more holes). holes allow the water to drip out less quickly, allowing for more controlled watering and longer periods between refilling the bottles.
4. remove bottle labels. submerge kitchen sponge in soapy water and rub against outer wall of bottles to remove any glue residue from the labels. make sure to also wash the inside of the bottles thoroughly.
5. fill bottles with water and dissolvable plant food and screw caps back on the bottles.
6. dig a hole next to each plant, deep enough for half of the bottle neck to be buried in the soil. place bottle in the soil, cap down and press soil against it do the bottle is secure in the soil, either at an angle or upright. you can also use the outer edge of the pot to help support the bottle.

sit back and admire your handiwork. enjoy not having to water your plants daily anymore. monitor the water levels in the bottles, and refill when the water gets low.