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Post by roofgardener on Apr 11, 2016 9:26:31 GMT
Bottled Carrots
At long last I FINALLY got round to planting some carrots this weekend. For some time I've been pondering on the idea of growing them in plastic drinks bottles. daitheplant and thecrackedpotgardener both suggested putting them "upside down", and I slowly came around to their way of thinking. It means that they fall over easily, but on the other hand it creates more space for the carrots to grow in. Anyway, for the benefit of all those out there who have never cut the bottom off a bottle, here's how I did it. The pictures are uploaded to the RoofNet, so you can click to get a bigger version of each picture.  | First... cut the bottom out of the bottle. Well. Obviously.
Not as easy as it seems, however, as scissors can't seem to get a grip on the plastic. I briefly considered using a craft knife, before realising that this would almost certainly involve a trip to the first aid cabinet by bottle number 3 or so.
In the end, I used a junior hacksaw to start the cut off, and then finished it off with scissors.
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Next is to get some wet pea gravel (for drainage). This has to be packed down quite firmly.. and it has to be wet. That way, it will jam in the neck of the bottle, and wont pour out when you lift the bottle up !
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Viola ! The gravel is safely jammed in the neck, and doesn't.....
Oh.....
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Plan B, stuff a bit of paper tissue into the neck... and....
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Success ! Hoorah.
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Next, a couple of shovels of general purpose compost. I didn't seive the compost, but I did crumble it in my hands to break up all the big clods and lumps.
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Fill the bottle ALMOST to the top and.....
OWLS ... stop messing around with the bottles !
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Drop a couple of seeds in the top, sprinkle a bit more compost over, water.. and VIOLA... Carrot In A Bottle
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I've tried using rubber bands to group them into threes... they tend to stand up better that way. Sort of. Hopefully, once the box is full, it will look a bit neater and less... well... silly ?
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PLUS.... I've also discovered a SECOND use for a bottle that might stop the Owls from getting underfoot when I'm photographing !
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All in all, a good weekend ! |
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Post by grindle on Apr 11, 2016 16:09:15 GMT
 I've enjoyed reading this episode, glad you finally found a way of keeping the owls in check
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Post by daitheplant on Apr 11, 2016 18:39:20 GMT
It looks as if Owliver is suffocating in that bottle, you cad. UNSCREW the cap, for mercies sake.   |
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Post by dianthus on Apr 11, 2016 18:40:58 GMT
.... but I get to chortle more when the owls have misbehaved, grindle  |
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Post by roofgardener on Apr 11, 2016 21:13:41 GMT
It looks as if Owliver is suffocating in that bottle, you cad. UNSCREW the cap, for mercies sake. Look at the cap more closely, daitheplant. (click to enlarge). Notice anything ? Oooh.. and I like that name "Owliver" .. I may use that. Any suggestions for a name for Brown Owl ? |
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Post by dianthus on Apr 11, 2016 21:47:47 GMT
It looks as if Owliver is suffocating in that bottle, you cad. UNSCREW the cap, for mercies sake. Look at the cap more closely, daitheplant . (click to enlarge). Notice anything ? Oooh.. and I like that name "Owliver" .. I may use that. Any suggestions for a name for Brown Owl ? Bronwyn?
Branwell?
Bowler?
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Post by SueA on Apr 12, 2016 7:52:35 GMT
I like Bronwyn dianthus or Owlwyn/Owlwen. |
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Post by thecrackedpotgardener on Apr 12, 2016 16:07:41 GMT
its about time you got the carrots going im WAY ahead lol
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Post by daitheplant on Apr 12, 2016 19:24:57 GMT
Owlivia. After Owlivia Newton John.  |
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Post by roofgardener on Apr 13, 2016 11:11:56 GMT
Hmmm.... I'm not sure I can cope with Owliver AND Owlivia. Might get confusing/tongue-twisting ?
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Post by roofgardener on Apr 13, 2016 13:38:49 GMT
To everything there is a Season, and a Time for every purpose under heaven....
Another benchmark milestoney type thingy has arrived.
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This is the polytunnel as of last week - this was "peak polytunnel" ... lots n' lots of seeds germinating. Lots of shelves. Cluttered and "busy".
But now they have germinated... and its time to move into the Next Phase !
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And this is the polytunnel YESTERDAY. Around half of the seedlings have been moved into the annexe area to 'harden off', or 'harden up', or congeal.. or whatever it is that they are supposed to do.
The remainder will be following fairly soon.
Most of the shelves have been removed, and soon even the rear bridge will go. The workbenches - now revealed in their full sagging and peeling glory - will soon be host to the "tall" vegetables such as tomatoes and capsicums n' stuff. Assuming they don't actually collapse ! (the shelves, that is, not the vegetables. )
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(Winston Churchill) Behold, my friends, the spring is come; the earth has gladly received the embraces of the sun, and we shall soon see the results of their love! (Sitting Bull) "Its Spring !! We are so excited about it that we wet our Plants ! (sign on a garden centre). |
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Post by daitheplant on Apr 13, 2016 19:44:36 GMT
Hmmm.... I'm not sure I can cope with Owliver AND Owlivia. Might get confusing/tongue-twisting ? Spot, then.lol |
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Post by dianthus on Apr 13, 2016 21:07:56 GMT
Hmmm.... I'm not sure I can cope with Owliver AND Owlivia. Might get confusing/tongue-twisting ? Well, what about SueA 's my suggestions roofgardener ? |
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Post by roofgardener on Apr 14, 2016 14:03:07 GMT
Hmmmmm... Owliver the White Owl, and Bronwyn the Brown Owl ? That might work ?  Mind you... "Spot" is tempting as well ? Nope... I've made my mind up. Bronwyn it is. |
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Post by dianthus on Apr 17, 2016 19:58:20 GMT
Bronwyn and Owliver have been very quiet this week. Me thinks there will be mischief afoot, or is that 'aclaw' |
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I've enjoyed reading this episode, glad you finally found a way of keeping the owls in check 
