Having a greenhouse in the garden is a dream for many amateur gardeners, who would love to protect their precious plants from the elements. Unfortunately, this is often a costly project, which puts many people off. However, certain inspired DIY enthusiasts, as well as people trying to do their bit for the planet, have come up with a fantastic idea: recycle plastic bottles and use them to make a greenhouse. 

There are multiple advantages to such a project. It is inexpensive, because a little wood and empty plastic bottles can be acquired for next to nothing, and the works are easy. A garden greenhouse allows you to keep your plants in optimal temperatures all year round, and when it is well made, it is very stable. A little water can get in to water the plants, meaning that you have less need to water them yourself, which is a great time saver.

The main things you need to do:

1) Collect plastic bottles: your own, your neighbours’, a few from local restaurants, etc.

2) Wash the bottles and remove the labels. Remove the cap and the base from each bottle.

3) Make lines of bottles by threading them onto a string or a stick of bamboo, making sure you have the right size.

4) Connect everything to a wooden frame to make the walls and the roof.

A few examples

Here are the results obtained by students in a school in New York, who are very committed to environmental awareness.

Here are two smaller structures, which would be ideal for a small garden.

Here they decided to make it without the door, but they kept a roof like shape for the main part of the structure.

And finally, two veritable huts made by highly motivated gardeners!

Such structures are not necessary, but are impressive looking, and recycle an incredible number of bottles.

Sources : Nafeusemagazine ; Dengarden