Selfsufficientish.com

Crikey Shirlz, I have just been to the dump with three huge bagfuls of plastic bottles and stuff. Should have see this earlier.

What a great idea! I wonder if you could store water in the bottles for an emergency watering system when you go away?

I thought I'd posted about it before somewhere Shiney - but must have dreamt it... it was in my last copy of sepa view - a great free publication from the scottish environment protection agency - http://www.sepa.org.uk/pdf/publications ... ay2006.pdf - all the other issues are there too.

I was trying to see if there was any info on the environment agency website - they have a link to http://www.recycle-more.co.uk/ which has some interesting stuff on.

Cut out a section from the middle, use scissors to fashion "teeth" and place round bottom of plant to ward off slugs.

Cut of base and sink 3/4 into soil near thursty plants i.e. tomatoes/pumpkins. Use to water and avoid evaporation at soil level.
I also use for growbag watering.

Cut in half and sink for beer traps.

make elderflower champagne and ginger beer in them

fill with tap water and freeze... use to fill up the spaces in your freezer.. a full freezer works best... BUT...also doubles up as a bit of fresh water if you have a water cut off for whatever reason.

I just checked out the web site about building a green house with plastic bottles - what an awesome idea!!! Think I'll tell Chris to build a frame and hey presto - instant green house - just add lemonade!!

Shirlz2005 wrote:fill with tap water and freeze... use to fill up the spaces in your freezer.. a full freezer works best... BUT...also doubles up as a bit of fresh water if you have a water cut off for whatever reason.

I don't agree; you're wasting energy by freezing water for no good reason.

The idea of filling your freezer (if it's the upright type) is to reduce the volume of cold air which can "fall out" and get replaced by warm air each time you open the door. Opening introduces more moisture in the new warm air which you have to use energy freeze this new layer and requires defrosting. It also reduces efficiency as ice is a poor conductor.

Empty bottles will stop the air exchange occuring and still occupy the volume but without wasting energy. For a chest freezer you don't need to bother because it's like a tank of cold air and opening it doesn't cause an air change.

Just found a handy use for the square 2L milk bottles (I'm guessing you folks have them?). Cut both top and bottom off and secure around small trees when planting with two bamboo sticks or tomato stakes pushed down into the earth inside opposite corners.

Apparently they provide sun protection, wind protection and also help with watering as you can water directly into them...

21) Use to store dry foods i.e. pasta, flour, legumes etc.

The bulk foods place down the road was very impressed when I brought my own containers.

Love this idea as I was just about to splash out on some jars (used all ones we had)
Would these be vermin proof ?? If I was to use these for dry goods in my foodstore ?? they would be on shelves ??

elfcurry wrote:

Shirlz2005 wrote:fill with tap water and freeze... use to fill up the spaces in your freezer.. a full freezer works best... BUT...also doubles up as a bit of fresh water if you have a water cut off for whatever reason.

I don't agree; you're wasting energy by freezing water for no good reason.

The idea of filling your freezer (if it's the upright type) is to reduce the volume of cold air which can "fall out" and get replaced by warm air each time you open the door. Opening introduces more moisture in the new warm air which you have to use energy freeze this new layer and requires defrosting. It also reduces efficiency as ice is a poor conductor.

Empty bottles will stop the air exchange occuring and still occupy the volume but without wasting energy. For a chest freezer you don't need to bother because it's like a tank of cold air and opening it doesn't cause an air change.

I stand corrected I love this site - you learn so much.

chop off the top or bottom of a bottle and make a little hole, to use it as a hamster bed.
Its warm and you can still check to see if they're ok, especially if they've had a litter of babies!

cut top of and use as a dust dome to cover delicate ornaments etc