How to Build a Vertical Garden from Soda Bottles

Step-by-Step Guide

1. 1

   Step 1: Cut around the base of one soda bottle.

     Make the cut a bit below where the label ends, ideally so that a tiny bit of the bottom curve inward is preserved.
   
   This will help the bottles nest tightly together when you stack them.
   
   Discard base of bottle
2. 2

   Step 2: Poke two drainage holes with scissors

   How big? No bigger than the diameter of a Bic pen. , Leave an inch of space at the top of the bottle. ,, Remove the cap and discard. ,,,, This bottle will be shorter than the others, and will serve as a funnel for watering. , This will be the watering bottle. ,,,, (Each side of the square should be about
   1.5-2 inches.) Leave the bottom of the square uncut, and instead fold down the flap.
   
   This creates a valve to hold the soil and seedling in. ,,,
3. 3

   Step 3: on opposite sides

4. 4

   Step 4: about three inches above the cap.

5. 5

   Step 5: Fill the bottle with potting mix

6. 6

   Step 6: compost or garden soil

7. 7

   Step 7: pressing the soil in lightly.

8. 8

   Step 8: Tie the base for your tower onto a supporting structure

9. 9

   Step 9: such as chain-link fencing or wire

10. 10

    Step 10: with twine.

11. 11

    Step 11: Cut the bottom off a bottle

12. 12

    Step 12: just as you did to create the base.

13. 13

    Step 13: Fill the bottle gently with soil

14. 14

    Step 14: as for the base

15. 15

    Step 15: reserving one inch of space at the top.

16. 16

    Step 16: Nest the bottle firmly atop the base

17. 17

    Step 17: and tie it on.

18. 18

    Step 18: Repeat this part 1-3 times

19. 19

    Step 19: depending on how tall you want your tower to be.

20. 20

    Step 20: Cut a bottle in half about midway toward the top.

21. 21

    Step 21: Cut the bottom off a final bottle

22. 22

    Step 22: just as you did for the base and tower levels.

23. 23

    Step 23: Drill a one mm hole in the cap

24. 24

    Step 24: or pierce with a nail

25. 25

    Step 25: and replace cap.

26. 26

    Step 26: Place the funnel atop the tower

27. 27

    Step 27: nesting it firmly in the soil of the level below.

28. 28

    Step 28: Place the watering bottle atop the funnel

29. 29

    Step 29: and (optionally) tie down.

30. 30

    Step 30: Cut three lines in each soil bottle with a box cutter

31. 31

    Step 31: as if you were drawing the top and sides of a square.

32. 32

    Step 32: Poke a hole

33. 33

    Step 33: and insert a small seedling or seeds.

34. 34

    Step 34: Fill the watering bottle every few days

35. 35

    Step 35: as needed.

36. 36

    Step 36: Finished.

Detailed Guide

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