DIY Self-Watering Planters for Earth Day
Did you know Earth Day (April 22nd) is a nationally recognized holiday?
Our planet Earth deserves consistent, daily celebration. Now you can show your planet how much you love it by incorporating sustainable, recyclable items into your life.
As active participants in today’s society, we should do all that we can to ensure that the only footprints we leave are good ones. To do your part, welcome the spring and summer seasons by planting veggies in your home, using old water and soda bottles!
If you want to plant your own home-grown organic vegetables but don’t have any outdoor space to do so, keep reading, because we’ve got a solution! By making your own DIY Self-Watering planter, you are helping the planet by recycling, and helping yourself by creating a fantastic window display!
With only three items, you can create a self-watering pot and watch your fresh veggies grow, with very little effort and intervention. So get a group of friends together and have your own Plant it for the Planet Party!
How to Make Your Own DIY Self-Watering Planter
To prepare this project, you will need:
- A 2L empty plastic bottle (ex. a 2L soda or water bottle)
- Garden Soil (ex. MiracleGro)
- Vegetable seeds of your choice
- A thick string
- First, cut the water bottle in half using scissors that are capable of cutting through relatively thick plastic.
- Fold your thick string over a few times and make a knot at one end. This will create a wick, through which water will come up to water your plant.
- Place the knot you just made through the mouthpiece of the bottle. The strings should hang outside, and the knot should be pointing towards the inside of the bottle.
- Fill the bottle with soil – add soil on top of the wick until about half of the water bottle is filled.
- Place 4-5 seeds in the soil, about an inch apart from each other.
- Fill the other half of the water bottle with water and place your planter into it. The wick should be submerged in the water fully.
Since you can control the growing process, you can rest assured that your home-grown produce will be natural, as well as pesticide and chemical-free. There are many easy-to-grow veggie options, so you may want to familiarize yourself with the nutritional advantages that each planet offers to ensure you are getting a wide range of vitamins and minerals that will suite your tastes! Below you will find some recommendations (and their health benefits) that you can plant in your planter!
Kale
Kale contains omega-6 and omega-3, which are the natural pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory molecules. This promotes balance and prevents inflammation. In addition, it contains sulfur and glucosinolates, which are detoxifying agents – they bind to toxins in the body and help to expel them. One of the best benefits of kale is that it is rich in vitamin C, which supports the immune system, and a precursor of vitamin A. Both Vitamin C and vitamin A, the antioxidants found within those vitamins bind to reactive oxygen radicals and neutralize them, thus preventing cancer and premature cell death.
Chives
Just like kale, chives are rich in Vitamin C and thus are able to support the function of the immune system. They have a mild anti-inflammatory property, which prevents inflammation caused by diseases like rheumatoid arthritis. Chives are also antibacterial and antifungal, which promotes the health of your body through preventing over-colonization of bacteria and fungi. Vitamin E, an abundant component of chives, will make your hair, skin, and nails nourished and beautiful.
Mint
There are many reasons for why eating mint is a great idea. For one, it contains manganese, iron, potassium, magnesium and calcium, which are the major minerals needed for our bodies to function properly and carry out all necessary reactions. Mint also contains vitamin A, C, and B6, which have anti-oxidant and immune-supportive properties. It is a natural remedy for nausea and promotes healthy digestion. Mint also prevents tooth decay and helps to control, as well as improve, bad breath!
