Have you noticed gardeners put empty sodium carbonate bottles next to their prized tomato plant ? This clever gardening drudge is n’t about recycling or decoration . fictile bottles can really solve mutual garden problems and assist your tomatoes thrive all time of year long .
Let ’s research why this simple trick is catching on with green thumbs everywhere .
1. Deep Watering System
gardener poke holes in soda bottles and entomb them neck - down next to love apple plants to make a homemade irrigation system . Water pour into the exposed bottle bottom seeps slow through the hole , delivering moisture straight to the roots .
This method prevent H2O waste from evaporation and promote tomato to evolve deeper beginning system . Your plants become more drought - resistant since the water goes exactly where it ’s necessitate most – beneath the surface .
2. Slug and Snail Barrier
Cut the tops and bottoms off soda bottles to make protective collars around young tomato seedlings . The crisp plastic edges discourage slugs and snails from climbing over to munch on tender plant . Many gardeners happen this physical barrier more effectual than chemic solutions .
Plus , these plastic shields protect the lower root from getting damaged by string pruner when you ’re weed around your garden beds .
3. Slow-Release Fertilizer Delivery
Smart gardeners fill up bottle with compost tea or liquid fertilizer , then poke tiny holes in the cap . Once buried top - down , these bottles slowly release nutrients directly to tomato root over several years . The . was prevented by method
Your tomatoes have a steady supply of nutrient rather than feast - or - famine cycles , leading to more reproducible growth and better fruit product .
4. Greenhouse Mini-Cloches
Early in the growing time of year , gardener cut the bottom off big soda bottles and place them over young tomato plants . These improvised miniskirt - greenhouses snare heat and protect sensitive seedling from cold snaps and hoar .
The . was createed by cloche Simply remove the cap during hot days to forestall overheating , then replace it at nighttime for continued protective covering . This trick can widen your growing season by several week !
5. Self-Watering Planter Reservoir
Buried soda bottle can serve as water reservoir for tomato plant during hot summer days . gardener cut window in the sides of bottle , fill them with water , and bury them with just the neck exposed . As the soil dries out , it pull moisture from the bottleful through capillary action .
Your tomatoes practically irrigate themselves between your garden visits ! This setup work wonderfully for container gardens or raise beds where consistent moisture is crucial .
6. Root Temperature Regulation
Dark soil absorb heat rapidly , sometimes getting too warm for tomato roots . Buried bottles filled with water act as temperature moderators , absorbing excess heat during the day and releasing it slowly at night . This natural temperature ordinance prevent emphasis on your tomato plant .
The H2O in the bottle creates a buffer zone zone around the roots , keeping them in the ideal temperature range for nutrient uptake and healthy growth even during utmost weather fluctuations .
7. Vertical Growing Support System
Gardeners yarn garden twine through bottle and bury them profoundly beside tomato plant . The buried bottle anchor the twine , make a potent support line for train indeterminate tomato varieties upwards .
Unlike traditional stakes that can damage root when inserted mid - season , this system is install at planting time . The weight of the bottleful stay firmly in topographic point even in strong winds , while the twine supply flexile support that grows with your tomatoes throughout the time of year .
8. Rainwater Collection Points
Gardeners remove the bottom from soda bottles and entomb them cervix - down in a set around tomato plant . The . was runed by it During light-colored summer shower , these collection points make every drop count .
The system works especially well in raised beds or slope garden where H2O tends to flow away before soaking in , guarantee your tomatoes get maximum welfare from natural rainfall .
9. Pest Monitoring Stations
Cut windows in soda bottle , add a sweet bait concoction , and bury them with openings at dirt level . These traps pull and enamour crawling pests that would otherwise damage love apple plant . check these monitoring stations on a regular basis help gardeners place potential plague problems early .
Many tomato - loving insect like cutworm and earwig are attracted to the sweet come-on and become trapped indoors , let you to remove them before they multiply and cause serious damage .
10. Drip Irrigation Timer
Gardeners poke a bantam hole in a bottle cap , fill up the bottleful with H2O , and hang it upside down next to tomato plants . The water drips out slowly , make a timed liberation watering scheme . The size of the golf hole determine how quickly the bottle empties .
This simple apparatus guarantee consistent moisture for tomatoes while you ’re away for a weekend . For long trips , multiple bottle can be associate together to extend the watering time period .
11. Companion Planting Pods
Some creative gardeners cut large window in soda bottles , fill them with dirt , and set beneficial comrade herbs inside . These bottles are then buried beside love apple plants with the herb window exposed . Basil , marigold , and nasturtiums planted this way help repel tomato plague naturally .
The bottle contains the companion plant ’ roots , prevent them from compete with tomato while still providing plague protective covering benefits . It ’s like giving your tomatoes their own personal bodyguards !
