wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. You will need to use a drill or a hot nail to do this. Components. wikiHow's. Make sure to water your plant every few times a week. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. References It may need a few tweaks or alterations to ensure that it is working correctly, but then devices generally do. The article was really helpful, I will, "Have seen water drip systems, but did not know how they worked. Can this be used for house plants with smaller plastic bottles? Quick release will help if the plants have gotten very dry, but overall, the effect is much reduced. F1 Plants and Seeds: What Are They and Should You Use Them? DIY Drip Line Irrigation. This type of system does not need to have a high cost, and once a few basic concepts regarding the components are understood it is not complicated. If you have garden plants with bases close to each other, you might want to install a bottle for every three square feet, adjusting the amount of water depending on the climate and the plants. All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published. This article has been viewed 426,293 times. Skip this step if you are standing the irrigator up. But if that is not the reason, then it could be that the hole is too large. Thanks! Make the holes using a nail or a metal skewer. If you want to stand the irrigator on a table above your plant, fill the bottom inch (2.54 centimeters) or so with pebbles. Use a drill or a nail and hammer to poke several holes into it. If you want something … This article was co-authored by our trained team of editors and researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. Growing Mitsuba: How to Grow and Enjoy this Beautiful Japanese Herb, What You Need to Know to Safely Compost Dog Poop, Growing Wheat: Varieties, Planting Guide, Care, Problems, and Harvest, 10 Tips to Help You Maximize Your Greenhouse Space, How to Use Intercropping Wisely to Increase Your Harvest, Growing Strawberries: How to Plant, Grow, and Harvest Strawberries. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Clear, helpful instructions make this page a, "The article told me how deep to bury the bottle and the number of holes to make. As plastic is non-degradable, it would last for years. Place the cap back onto the bottle when you are done. The bottom of most bottles is typically made from thicker plastic. We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. Or would that cause harm to the plant? Avoid making the holes too small, or they may get clogged up by the soil. DIY Drip Irrigation Bottles: Vine garden plants, like pumpkins, zucchini, cantaloupe etc. Widen the hole with a craft blade. The tighter you close it, the slower the water will flow out. Check the bottle once a day to see if it requires refilling. If you're watering circular, small or medium-sized pots, a bottle will do. The more holes you poke, the faster the water will flow out. Every day at wikiHow, we work hard to give you access to instructions and information that will help you live a better life, whether it's keeping you safer, healthier, or improving your well-being. To make a slow drip irrigator from a plastic bottle, get a 2 liter plastic bottle, remove the contents and label, and rinse it thoroughly. This will help keep it stable. Learn how to manage stress like a therapist. The article with pictures really helped. How long does a standard plastic water bottle last? I'm thinking you probably haven't started with a well watered area. It should last about 3 days. To learn how to make a quick release irrigator from a bottle, read on! Buying pre-made ones from the store can get expensive, but luckily it is fairly cheap and easy to make one at home using plastic bottles. Best of all, you will be helping the environment by recycling plastic bottles. Drill some drainage holes into the bottom, fill it with soil, then add your seeds. Your support helps wikiHow to create more in-depth illustrated articles and videos and to share our trusted brand of instructional content with millions of people all over the world.