The Cute DIY Way to Water Your Plants While on Vacation (or all the time!)

You may have seen an idea making the rounds on Pinterest - water your plants while you are away on vacation with an old wine, beer or water bottle. This is a great way to water your plants. It's also not very cute:

(source: Crafty Little Gnome)

I don't know about you, but I don't think having beer bottles sticking out of my plant pots is the best look. Beyond the looks issue, I also wanted a more long term solution. I supposed it doesn't matter if your plants look un-classy if you aren't home to see it (like when on vacation) - but if I have to look at it every day, I want it to be cuter. With two small kids at home, plant watering can take a back seat. With my waterer, I can fill it once every 2-3 days and my plants stay happy. Plus I think it's super cute! 

Here's how I made it:

Supplies

• Empty glass soda or wine bottle (I used a Dry Soda bottle for the project shown)
• Flat back glass marbles in assorted colors
• E-6000 glue
• Masking tape
• Plant Nanny bottle stakes (get the kind designed for wine bottles)

Some of the links in my supply lists may be affiliate links. 


Directions

If watching videos isn't your thing, here are the step-by-step instructions written out for you. Confused about part of it? Watch the video!

Step 1: Prep your bottle

Peel the label off your bottle. If there is still sticky residue on it, that's ok. We're going to cover it with glue anyway. If your marbles are dusty, be sure to clean and dry them, too!

Step 2: Glue your rocks

The best way to use the E-6000 glue is to apply glue to a small area of the bottle and then apply a little blob to the back of a handful of marbles. Set the marbles glue-side up for 2 minutes before adhering to the bottle in the area where you previously applied glue. 

After you fill a small area with marbles, help hold them in place (and keep them from slipping off the bottle) with some masking tape. 

Step 3: Allow to cure

Set your bottle aside so the glue can cure for 24 hours before removing the masking tape. Some marbles might fall off after removing the masking tape - just re-apply them as above. 

Step 4: Use it in your garden!

To use it in your garden, first water the plant so the soil is damp. Then insert the plant nanny into the dirt. Then fill your bottle with water and invert it into the stake! 

It works just as well for plants in the ground, in pots or window boxes. Just remember as a general rule, the larger your plant, the larger a bottle you'll need.

Don't forget to pin this project for later! 

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