Pop bottles/Mini Cloches

[Mikey]

Has anyone tried this, I am thinking of using pop bottles as mini cloches for my onion and shallot bulbs, by cutting off the bottom and taking the tops off, and pushing over the individual bulbs. I am trying to find a way of keeping the birds and local cats off them while they take hold with the root. Is this likely to work or is it a no brainer?

Any thoughts welcome

[Novice Gardener]

I use empty 2litre bottles to protect my seedlings. I use the top bit, with the lid unscrewed so rain can get in

[Mikey]

I use empty 2litre bottles to protect my seedlings. I use the top bit, with the lid unscrewed so rain can get in

This is what I thought, so it works then?, I thought they would be long enough to bury into the soil without being blown away.

[ciúnas]

Yes, we do it regularly, it saves money on plant pots and recycles. We even use the inside of toilet tissue (the cardboard roll) cut in half to provide us with planters for things that don't like root disturbance, like sweetcorn. Just put them in the ground when they are ready.

[ciúnas]

Just a thought, I have just planted a veg plot and I have a few of these cheap toys on a wire stick, you know the thing, they are in the shape of bumble bees or butterflys with big smiling faces, they are a great entertainment for the grandchildren, but the thing is the birds hate them as they spin in the wind and make a buzzing sound. Give them a try, they work for me they may work for you.
Slán.

[Mikey]

Thanks ciunas, I wish there was a thank you button on this forum.

[ciúnas]

No Problem Mikeywills, anytime.
Ciunas

[HeyWayne]

To stop the bottles flying off, put canes in the ground and then slide the bottles down over them (I did this with my peas for the exact same reason as you - keeping the birds off).

[Polly Fouracre]

I use 1gall water bottles over squash and tomato plants but have never thought of putting a cane through the top! Well done that man!!

[HeyWayne]

I use 1gall water bottles over squash and tomato plants but have never thought of putting a cane through the top! Well done that man!!

Bladdy hell, did I do something useful? Glad to be of service

[dexterdoglancashire]

Has anyone tried this, I am thinking of using pop bottles as mini cloches for my onion and shallot bulbs, by cutting off the bottom and taking the tops off, and pushing over the individual bulbs. I am trying to find a way of keeping the birds and local cats off them while they take hold with the root. Is this likely to work or is it a no brainer?

Any thoughts welcome

Excellent idea! I also pop those little plastic bottles on the end of my pea/bean etc bamboo canes - stops you from poking your eyes out! Yes, I also recycle loo rolls as plant pots too. Bernie aka DDL

[JO,JO]

i use pop bottles at the side of my plants to water them so the water goes straight to the roots, when or if we get any really dry hot sunny days lol

[Maf]

I 'skip surfed' six office water cooler bottles last year

They fit exactly to 10 inch pots and are great for coaxing early spring onions

Have you seen the price of those big plastic Bell cloches

[nerobot]

I'm trying the same with some early summer cabbages. Though I'm cutting the top off and keeping the bottom, with lots of little wholes for air and water.

[Mikey]

My neighbour has a different use for these bottles, he's drilled the bottom out and cut slits in the side and bent the flap over, so it look like a water wheel. These are dropped over the top of his canes, when I was down the lottie last night I saw them in action for the first time, they make cracking little windmills, and quite noisy too.

I'll take a picture later so you can see, I'm not so good at explaining.