Recycled Plastic Reservoir Planter

This is a concept for a reservoir planter that uses entirely recycled materials (in this case, a 32 oz gatorade bottle and a 46 oz ocean spray cranberry juice bottle). Due to the shape of these two specific bottles, they can fit snugly together during use, and can be easily separated for watering and maintenance. The advantages of a reservoir system like this one is that it keeps the soil at an ideal moisture level for plant growth through capillary action, it requires infrequent watering, and as water is added to the reservoir and not directly to the plant, it ensures the plant isn't drowned during the watering process.

This project was created to be as quick and easy as possible.

x1 32 oz gatorade bottle

x1 46 oz ocean spray bottle

x1 swiss army knife (or similar multitool)

32 oz Dirt

46 oz Water

Seeds or small plants

Optional:

x1 handheld drill

x1 small drill bit (larger than 1/16", smaller than 1/8")

x1 stick (5 foot long, 1.5" diameter)

x1 trowel

Use the multitool or some other sharp object (such as an exact-o knife or a pair of scissors) to remove the bottom of the 32 oz bottle and the top of the 46 oz bottle. When removing the top of the 46 oz bottle, do not cut at the notch. Instead, cut the bell of the bottle such that there is just enough space to allow the 32 oz bottle to fit into the 46 oz bottle. When the two bottles fit together, the notches on each bottle should line up.

Using the corkscrew attachment of the Swiss army knife, or the handheld drill, cover the bell of the 32 oz bottle with holes, spaced roughly 1 cm apart. These holes should be sized to let water in without letting dirt leak out. If you have a stick, lean it against a table, use either foot to brace it, and use the top of the stick to better and more safely hold the water bottle during the drilling process (see image).

Use hands or a trowel to shovel dirt into the 32 oz bottle to the brim. Make sure the soil is well packed down, as loose soil will not soak up water as effectively. Fill the 46 oz bottle with water.

Plant small plants and seeds in the 32 oz bottle. Add some additional water to properly moisten the soil, and carefully combine the two sections of the planter. The two sections should be stable together and the gap between the two sections should be small. Refill the lower section (the 46 oz bottle) with water whenever the water level drops below the bell of the 32 oz bottle. Enjoy the plants.