Recycling Pop Bottles To Make Mini Indoor Greenhouses

Reuse Those Pop Bottles In The Most Epic Way! Greenhouses are expensive and not everyone can have them unfortunately. But what if you used empty pop bottles to make miniature greenhouses indoors to grow things like lettuce? I was skeptical at first, but the more I started looking at the schematics and details of why it could work, it only made sense!
Greenhouses solve the 3 most common stresses of plants...temperature swings, moisture loss, and wind pressures. Eliminate those three constants of the great outdoors and you can see why greenhouse plants grow and flourish so well.
But can we replicate that perfect storm of conditions indoors to grow some insane Romaine Lettuce that our outdoor plants would be jealous of?
Let's find out!
2021 is the Year of the Garden! We deserve it after the last little while, and growing our own food and self sufficiency is just the reward we need to get back on track!
For more information on all your gardening questions, check out my other videos!:
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100% Germination?: • Seed Germination - 5 R... ​​​​​
Seed Starting Soil: • How To Make Your Own S... ​​​​​
Seed Starting 101, The Basics!: • How To Start Vegetable... ​​​​​
Starting Tomato Seeds: • How To Grow Tomatoes P... ​​​​​
Starting Pepper Seeds: • Growing Peppers Part 1... ​​
Starting Cucumber Seeds: • Video ​​
Starting Zucchini Seeds: • Growing Zucchini Part ... ​​
Starting Corn Seeds: • Growing Corn - Part 1 ... ​​​​​
Starting Pumpkin Seeds: • How To Grow Pumpkins -... ​​​​​
DIY Ultimate Potting Mix: • Make Your Own Potting ... ​​​
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[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

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[@kennethvincenzo6932]

Instablaster.

[@josephpitch9648]

This video here is an example of why you're my number-one gardening Channel on KZbin

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Thanks so much joseph!! MUCH appreciated!!

[@myladiamond1412]

So cool. We started using the milk jugs by cutting the milk jugs' bottom off. We also made your toilet paper seed planters. Thank you for the inspiration.

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Very cool Myla, would love to see that!

[@peacefulgarden]

Please don't laugh but I also use many plastic containers people usually throw out: those domed BBQ'd chicken containers, great for starting tomato seedlings, also plastic clamshell containers from take-out, store-bought birthday cake domes (used upside down - the bottom becoming the moisture retaining part for germination) and much more. They make great starts and they are super cheap. Especially good for seedlings that don't mind crowding and a bit of a rough separation when repotting (tomatoes, peppers, etc). I love the pop bottles though and as usual, I love what you put out there for us, your fans. Thank again Jeff of the Green Thumb : )

[@ashleyfoster5520]

Ran across your channel when my daughter vocalized gardening as a homeschool learning interest. I've now watched 15 of your videos and we have an extensive list of what we are trying out. Thanks for all the great info!

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

That's so awesome Ashley, thanks!!

[@95Jezzica]

Something which might be a cool thing for you to try in the future? Growing _(at least the start)_ of endangered native plants/flowers/trees for your region which you then can plant outside. Perhaps even in local parks and the likes _(with permission)_ . Just to mention one example I've done this with a few acorns, and then planted the oak saplings in the local forests once I know they're big enough to have a decent chance to survive outside.

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

I'd LOVE to do that! Especially edible species!

[@pershop4950]

A value of $25-35 at the grocery store? Yes, this was a great idea then! By using succession sowing and about 4 such planters (or however many you want to be eating) crafted up, a person can constantly be planting and harvesting lettuces like this every week, with each set of plants having been grown from seed 4 weeks ago. Very nice!

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Exactly...just keep them going over and over, maybe replacing the soil every 5 harvests or so!

[@carriem7832]

If you don’t have enough paper rolls you can take a brown paper that comes on a roll and a square wooden block the size you want to grow in......cut the brown paper large enough to wrap the block leaving top open....by creasing and folding the paper like a gift wrap you have a tight hold...then pull off block.......great for making larger grow pots for plants that don’t like being transplanted....I started peas in larger blocks this way and then when hardened off I just plant the square pot directly in the ground..I find squashes do well this way allowing them to be established before the birds know they’re out...... This year I’m asking everyone to save me their paper rolls and Christmas paper rolls for doing pots like you have done.....love to recycle....thanks👍

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Perfect Carrie! The less we can disturb the roots, the better off our plants will be! :-)

[@carolynsteele5116]

Omygosh I love time progression videos where we get to see the end result. I happen to have 2” Romain seedlings struggling in an outdoor garden bed because of the cold wind. I also have a stash of empty pop bottles!

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

You are all set then Carolyn! Just remember to pop the lids off....way too airtight with them on! :-)

[@maryb-h980]

Hi it's the first time I've written to you, but must STRESS how much I enjoy & benefit from your gr8 vids 👍 Another 1st is that although a mature gardener, I've been Winter sowing like crazy this year! (Way over 200 bottles with all kinds of seeds in & more exciting is appx 150 have green growth in 😄) One of which has 5 romaine lettuce in all about 6ins high and very healthy - sown early January here in central England! I have never had as much enjoyment & fun seed sowing in my life 😁 to say nothing of results! I have seeds growing that I've never managed by any other method! So to make use of the idea in your video as well... I'm a convert to mini greenhouses in many ways 👍 Thanks for all your work & advice. Be blessed mxxx

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

So awesome Mary! Thanks so much for adding hi. Hope you have the best garden this year! :-)

[@cameobabec968]

I started growing romaine lettuce last summer on my balcony along with the usual tomatoes, peppers, herbs etc. and I thought they looked good and healthy but your pop bottle greenhouse lettuce look fantastic! I am definitely going to do it your way summer, autumn, winter and fall.

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Right on, congrats on the successful crops! I think where this may benefit you is, like you say, the fringe seasons where its a little cooler. Best of luck! :-)

[@brandywvstrong9673]

Love the planter box!!! Nice design. Can’t wait to do all this.

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Thanks Brandy, cheers!

[@MaryMack27]

You can grow ANYTHING like this! I winter sow all my seeds, fruits, vegetables and flowers using milk containers and water bottles!

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Perfect!

[@wedtokerhimrarib3123]

A really genius video that will help those of us on a tight budget. thank you & much respect.

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Cheers, glad you liked it! :-)

[@elliev3593]

I live in an apartment and was looking for a DIY "greenhouse" . This video was the top of my search and timely as I have several 2 liter bottles I was about to throw out. Will definitely give this a try. Thank you.

[@derekcox6531]

😲🤯🤩 I’m totally going to try this in my south facing Costco raised bed!! It’s going to snow tonight,but as soon as it melts I’m on this one! 👍

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Right on Derek, can't wait to hear about the results! :-)

[@cindyglass5827]

Wow, it was so neat to see the timeline as they grew ! : ) I am going to try this, Thank-you for showing us the steps & comments (tips) etc ! Wishing you a Happy Easter : )

[@DarklightTarot]

I'm so impressed. Will be giving this a go with the pop bottle.

[@wendyking7539]

Thanks, Jeff. Look forward to that.

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Me too! I hope they all grow this well!

[@GioJorg]

Just discovered your page, ive been indoor gardening since i was about 13, even tried to grow pot under my bed with CFLs but obviously got caught by mom xD I follow dozens of gardening pages but youve become my favorite. Consuming all your content for the last few hours on the couch instead of sleeping and cant wait to set this pop bottle lettuce up in the morning ive got a bag of lettuce seeds ive already grown in the past for my ducks, I swear i pulled so many leaves off em, thatd be the major downside here not being able to harvest multiple times but tbh i think u could get the bottle back on the plant with some finesse. Wish you all the best man.

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Thanks so much! Oh man, could you imagine the fire hazard with lights under a bed?? Ha ha! For the pop bottles, spinach, cilantro, and basil are also ones that work really well! Let us know how it goes!

[@wandacherry2425]

You look like Mickey Rooney! Great ideas. Thanx

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

:-)

[@Ramen_Bean22]

This video is awesome and helpful!! Thank you!!

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Hey thanks, and thanks for checking it out!

[@qmoonwalker3847]

Gotta give this a try! Thanks!!

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Bets of luck, thanks for watching! :-)

[@OverGrowTheUk]

Great to hear somebody over the pond say pop not soda 😁😁😁

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Ha ha Mum's side is from Scotland/New Castle. :-)

[@OverGrowTheUk]

@@TheRipeTomatoFarms love your channel keep up the great content 💚🌱💪🏻

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

@@OverGrowTheUk Thanks so much, super appreciated.

[@tanner1548]

Actually...plenty of states in the middle of the U.S. call it pop. I'm from CA originally and have lived on both coasts and in the middle, and it varies. (Hello from 2 years in the future. I got the gardening bug a bit late, it seems :P )

[@lisaschreiber2893]

I'm definitely going to try this one! thanks for the idea. .

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Right on Lisa, let us know how it works out! :-)

[@masoomali4518]

Chicago IL Great idea i will try this thx

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Works great in the winter too! :-)

[@yazgaroth]

Really cool ! I was certain that keeping my paper rolls was a good idea =D

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Ha ha, yessssss! :-)

[@cmsag7428]

Excellent. Have a very difficult time here, in FL, with any lettuce. Will try this under my grow lights. Thanks!

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Cheers CM, best of luck! Let us know how it goes! :-)

[@OldReddingFarm]

wow your seedlings all look SO good

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Thanks! Good soil and not over watering...let the plants do the rest! :-)

[@rmstreeter]

Thank you for this video. I will try this..

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Awesome, let me know how it goes!

[@theloosemonkeybackyardgard506]

Wow, as usual great innovative idea ! Just found another use for my seed growing rack during down times, and it’s in the kitchen bay window so I can just reach over and pick a salad 🥗😀

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Right? I am definitely doing this year round. Cilantro is next up! Happy growing! :-)

[@ninad205]

That toilet paper roll idea is great! I will save mine and try it next spring

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Works for soooo many plants too!

[@amberhernandez2423]

I love your video . Thank you for sharing

[@mermaidlafemme1022]

One word Jeff .....BRILLIANT XX🤗😀

[@grtchldy6561]

Thanks for this hack. I was wondering about using my clear plastic Crystal Geyser bottles for an indoor greenhouse. Your idea is great. I live in a place where it’s difficult for me to grow lettuce because the winters are so long and summers too hot. Lettuce does not like 90 degree temps. This is going to be fun. This would make a fun children’s science project.

[@irisheyes53184]

Thanks for your great video.

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Hey, thanks for that and thanks for watching! :)

[@m.maquinde3471]

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS TIPS. E'VE LEARN S LOT.

[@OmegaReds03]

I'm also in Ontario so I use distilled 4L water bottles @ 0.97¢ each as we don't have milk jugs. I label inside with 25 for $1 at Walmart and outside on tape then wrap the bottles with clear packing tape.

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Right on! :-)

[@suzanneweary9739]

I just found my next experiment! 😁 Thanks!

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Ha ha, let me know how it works out Suzanne! :-)

[@CJ-kk8mm]

This was an awesome video!!! I am not good at gardening at all. I've not given up yet and am willing to try this method!! Thanks for sharing!

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Thanks CJ! It was definitely a fun project!

[@lindajoyrainbowneal5609]

... wow ... u're a great teacher ... l feel encouraged !!! ... ❤

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Thanks Linda, that means a lot. And thanks for watching!

[@markfrancis9106]

Nice info, will give it a try👍👍

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Cheers Mark, thanks for watching! :-)

[@Donna_G]

I've seen instructions for making a terrarium out of a 2 L bottle using the whole bottle, cutting the bottom part from the top part. So, what you did in this video makes perfect sense. At this stage, after removing the bottle top, would your lettuce plants be ready to start harvesting leaves from them? Or, do you let them get bigger? I haven't grown lettuce since I moved to the dry side of the Cascades; but, years ago, I did grow some leaf lettuces and a lot of it ended up going to the chickens or to the compost. I could not use it up in a timely manner and couldn't even give it away.

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

100% harvestable. I am actually going to cut-and-come-again the majority of it, then stick the planter outside to keep growing! :-)

[@MichaelR58]

Good video, thanks for sharing , God bless !

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Cheers Michael, thanks for watching! :-)

[@CurlKeeper]

This is amazing!! thank you for sharing! 2 questions, could I use this method outdoors? What other kinds of crop would you try with this method?

[@thereseayakouame596]

Good job

[@TheRealGinaCharles]

Love it

[@jemmastone11]

Excellent video

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Thanks Jemma, appreciate that! :-)

[@trilwenmactavian1275]

love your channel keep up the good work

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Thanks Trilwen, much appreciated! :-)

[@foxybrown1g]

I’d love to see you try chili’s or peppers that way! I LOVE this idea and will be starting it this weekend! I’ll post pictures on the FB page when I’m finished.

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

I would LOVE to try this with other plants, for sure!

[@benthere8051]

I like it!

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Thanks! :-)

[@dom150]

I have a bunch of 5L bottles this video is perfect

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

FIVE Liters!! That's going to be epic!

[@Goldmine810]

I really love this video. Im so enthralled and captivated . Very descriptive and it has a great personality to it. LET ALONE THIS VITAL INFORMATION! Thumbs and Sub for me 👌🏿

[@nobullziggster4070]

Wow, I had no idea. That is soo worth while. Do you do any vertical growing?

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

I vertical grow my Strawberries and Garlic. I think I might even try Lettuce like this! :-)

[@HoeIngandSowIngGardening]

I love all the info....However, I don't think this is realistic when it comes to MINI. You did have amazing results. Looks like you need way more than pop bottles. Great info. 👍😀🌻🌱🌼😍🌷😎

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

8 heads in 30 days in a tiny amount of space though...I watered once and did zero maintenance...out of the hundreds of outdoor lettuce I've grown over the years, this was up there with the results. I may never do it another way again. Plus now I can cut-and-come-again with this planter, take it outside, and then start a new one in its place!

[@HoeIngandSowIngGardening]

@@TheRipeTomatoFarms They definitely look lovely.

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

@@HoeIngandSowIngGardening And tasty! ;-)

[@mmpp4709]

Thank you! Great idea to reuse paper rolls. Question: if one were to use the soda bottle green house outdoors; would it work as well? Thanks again!

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Thanks! Yeah, they are handy for lots of different applications! I think outdoors the bottles would work very well. You still have night time lows to contend with, and the bottles blowing over could also be an issue....

[@mmpp4709]

@@TheRipeTomatoFarms thank you for your insight.

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

@@mmpp4709 Cheers and thanks for watching! :-)

[@maryannblackburn5167]

Yep will keep toilet rolls for this, excellent idea 💡 . Thank you 🙏

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Works like a charm for Melons too Maryann! Any plant that doesn't like transplanting. :-)

[@AbundantAcresHomestead]

nice recycle

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Better than collecting the buck sixty in my opinion! Ha ha! :-)

[@dennisolive4741]

Don’t forget to warn people about a greenhouse getting too hot without ventilation.

[@benthere8051]

No doubt! I wouldn't put them in full sun. I have tasked the $11 STC-1000 temperature controller (Amazon) to a number of jobs here. A good job for one would be an overtemperature alarm. It has a waterproof temperature probe. It can be programmed to trip at any reasonable temperature. I currently have my seed sprouter heat mat set to 30°C with another STC-1000 and a chemical process controller set to 78°C with yet another.

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Definitely.....these little guys could heat up FAST!

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

@@benthere8051 So handy!

[@jamminwithmexijam5710]

Wow I love it! Wonder if I can use this technique to grow some Jamaican calaloo

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

I don't see why not! :-)

[@Igniting-Moments]

Your video was so good I had to subscribe. Well put together and great steps. Please tell me what other veggies could grow in the bottles or please do another video with parsley, sage, etc... Thank you..

[@marmotronica]

F-Amazing!!!

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Thanks! Appreciate it!!

[@lynnec.4392]

I start my cuttings the same way. Only difference, I plant the cuttings in 50% vermiculite potting mix in a pot that will fit the inside of a bottle. I have very few failures.

[@dellahful]

You rock and I'm so proud of you. Try ginger. Tks

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Ha ha thanks Hazel! I thought of Ginger and Turmeric right away....but then I wondered if it would just blow the pop bottle right out of there when it grew, LOL!

[@dellahful]

@@TheRipeTomatoFarms I tried growing ginger the normal way but it always dies, so I'm going to take your idea and grow it that way. I have a very small backyard and will be getting it ready this year to grow my own food. Thank you so much for all your inexpensive awesome ideas. 😎

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

@@dellahful I hear you Hazel. I'm going to container Ginger exclusively now. It just does so poorly in my raised beds lately. Finicky plant sometimes for a variety that grows so dang big! LOL

[@linedezainde]

Excellent video! I have a very hard time growing kale in the garden. Could this be a solution? Perhaps a larger set up? I still dream of a greenhouse though!

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Definitely!!! Nice lush Dino Kales?? Super easy this way! Go for it!

[@marytramp5678]

fisherman without a rod is a BAAAADDD example. man has been fishing without a rod without a rod/reel for centuries.

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Cool. It was just a joke...not meant to be serious. And it actually fits even more because my point was that you can still grow epic veg with no greenhouse. So it applies! :-)

[@lifewiththemoraiss...6540]

Hi thanks for all your brilliant videos, would you be able to show how to grow runner bens, and pea pods thanks

[@genesisbabauta223]

man just missed it!!!

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Ha ha no worries....so did I!

[@genesisbabauta223]

lmao just made my day!!!!!

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

@@genesisbabauta223 just too early sometimes! Lol

[@neko.tsukim.m7320]

I have done this on my raspberry plant to have an earlier start and now I am hardening by removing the bottle when it's warmer (Ireland average temperature here is 10°C if lucky up to 16°C) and it's regrowing really fast!

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

That's brilliant! I haven't tried it with perennial stuff yet!

[@neko.tsukim.m7320]

@@TheRipeTomatoFarms the bush was really really damaged when was about 2 years old and was not transplanted but kept in same vase from nursery (I know I know don't say anything) poor plant at the end of last season I just decided to prune it off to the base and it reshooted (as expected as that is the plant nature but at the time I had 0 clue) the bottle helped with the cold (it snowed even quite heavely for irish standards) and I mulched the base around with straw to keep a bit of warmth in....made such beautiful new reshootings...😊😊😊😊 it's started from base and in about a month passed from 3cm to 20cm (I can try and send u a picture)

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

@@neko.tsukim.m7320 that's so awesome. Great to hear of eventual success like that!

[@carmenwoods5537]

Hello thank you for sharing this video, i like the idea of toilet rolls for planter it helps lessen the garbage. Will definitely try it. Do you think Mint & thyme will be good for this pop bottle greenhouse?

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Thanks Carmen! Mint would grow amazing like this... Save with Basil (same family). Thyme is a crawler once it gets going... Might not be suited to the upright nature of the bottles. :)

[@HulaMahaloPolynesianDanc-mz4nu]

Hi! I am in love with this method. It would be my first time growing lettuce, so I have a couple questions. After removing the bottle, would the lettuce be ready to eat? Can you take a few leaves off and it continues to grow or best to pull it up for the bunch? Would you repot in a different space or continue to grow in that space. Thank you!

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Yes and yes! Harvest right away, and just take the outer leaves for continued growth! Don't bother replanting... Lettuce grows so quick there isn't a need. :-)

[@HulaMahaloPolynesianDanc-mz4nu]

@@TheRipeTomatoFarms Thank you so much for your response, I will keep that in mind when time for lettuce! I've just set up my indoor greenhouse using the bottles to sprout my seeds. Looking forward to germination. Take care and happy planting! :)

[@leannekenyoung]

Hi I hope you can help settle an ahem disagreement hubby and me are having....instead of planting my seeds in those little toilet paper rolls I decided to jump right to the seeding mixture into a wallpaper tray and I’m using the pop bottles with the lids on to germinate the seeds, I’m trying to grow white tat-soi, I’m wondering what your thoughts are on this and if you think it will work? If it works I will happily transplant them to another tray with potting soil and then using the pop bottles over them with the lids off. So any idea if you think that will work??

[@venessamarquis5293]

Love the idea. I don't have a sunny south facing window. Do you think there would be enough light in an east window?how about grow lights?

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Hey Vanessa, I did the main one under a Spyder LED grow light...and it grew amazing. So definitely experiment. Plus, some lettuce varieties are known to excel in low light conditions...give those a try as well!

[@mapofthesoultagme7143]

Can you do videos about leca balls planting?

[@OmegaReds03]

Also if you could place dates and outdoor temperatures of when you started your Romaine Lettuce or on future videos.

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Definitely. I haven't started any outdoor Romaine yet. Soon though.

[@FranTangles]

Hope you can answer my question I've made the toilet paper roll pots and put some paprika seeds in. How often should I water then or do I have to keep the pots in water?

[@malloryfay7964]

I don't understand when to water the seedlings/young plants prior to transplanting. Pls advise!

[@jlynn2053]

Can I use the paper towel role as pods for my bell peppers, as well? I’m gettin ready to try to germinate some seeds. I already watched your pepper videos and I was wondering if I could start the seedling in the paper towel pod then plant the whole pod into a 5 gallon bucket?

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

100%!! Peppers and Tomatoes grow awesome in those little pods! Go for it! :-)

[@wendyking7539]

Will you be showing a video of cilantro in these bottles?

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Hey Wendy, I likely will....little bit different than this one though. May have to combine it with a different plant or do some other angle so I'm not duplicating too much of the same information as this one. I think the growing method in this video hear can be applied to quite a few different plants! Cheers! :-)

[@anukulkarni2979]

Greetings! Could you kindly share how you prevent the bottles from being tossed over due to the wind, etc. Thank you very much.

[@robertbartosh6181]

I am recently started gardening. Using this method, is it for growing seedlings, or when can the romaine be harvested?

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Romaine can be harvested at any time...even as a baby green!

[@sherry1867]

This is great! Do you think it could be done over fall and winter?

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Hey Sherry, this was completely done indoors....this can be done ANY time of year! :-) I'm 100% going to try it all year long knowing how well it works now! :-)

[@sherry1867]

@@TheRipeTomatoFarms Me too. With romaine lettuce often being recalled, i want to grow my own. I grow iceberg now and its so tasty :) starting romaine this week.

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

@@sherry1867 That's another aspect Sherry....recalls. Ughhh....why would /should a vegetable EVER be recalled. Its gross when you think about it. My plan is to never buy lettuce again!

[@sherry1867]

@@TheRipeTomatoFarms well with this new way of growing, im hoping i won't have to either. Hey have you ever bought seeds from Baker Creek?

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

@@sherry1867 So awesome! I haven't yet, but I've heard good things about them! :-)

[@braydenmackinaw689]

Could you prehaps try one on a larger scale for plants like potatoes?

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Definitely you could. As a plant not grown for its foliage though, potatoes don't really benefit from the "greenhouse effect" like lettuce-type crops do.

[@melanienguyen2890]

I have been thinking about using this method but idk… the weather in louisiana is either too hot or too wet and freaking humid :-(

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Yeah, I like to use it in the winter when we can't grow outside.....but maybe doing it inside when its too hot would work also?

[@WinsomeWinslet]

Would this work for celery? (Amazing video/experiment by the way!!!)

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Definitely early on! I can't see why not......*adds it to the list...... ;-)

[@WinsomeWinslet]

@@TheRipeTomatoFarms Now you've motivated me to do something. Thanks! :DDD

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

@@WinsomeWinslet ha ha awesome! Report back how it worked and how you made it even better! Let's see how far we can take this concept!

[@loulastewart2071]

do you have any ideas in keeping a small greenhouse warm in winter ? here in calgary alberta i find that i cant keep the heat up in the winter. any ideas would help thank you so much

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Hey Loula, if you can get electricity to it, one of those oil-filled heaters can really take the edge off. Like a space heater, just super efficient.

[@loulastewart2071]

@@TheRipeTomatoFarms yes I do have electricity to the greenhouse I'll have to try that ,thank you for your help.

[@emylytle5409]

Jeff, I have a question, can I do this outside on shady patio? I don’t have any greenhouse except the outside shower room I use for grow light but I have a iron bed like that I planted some lettuce but didn’t grow so I’m thinking to redo that bed and just place those two liter on top of them but outside on shade. Thanks for ur advice.

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Most definitely Emy! Try it with Spinach, Arugula, even Cilantro..lots of crops that don't need crazy full sun all day long!

[@emylytle5409]

Thank you so much for your advice and info, u have helped a lot of gardeners like me so much 🙏🏻😇♥️👍👍

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

@@emylytle5409 cheers Emy, more than happy to!

[@lynettelewis5688]

Will this also work with plastic milk containers? I don't drink soda, so i don't have those bottles, but i have plenty of milk containers. 🤷‍♀️

[@lorr.jones8887]

Look for 2 litre bottles of water at the dollar store. I think the milk containers will be too opaque and block out the light.

[@jorob3764]

Does the pop bottle stop snails?

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

It actually does!

[@skislock]

I'm giving this a try. Seeds all sprouted 3rd day after planting but have barely grown over the next 5 days. Still cotyledon leaves only. Giving them about 15 hrs of light in basement. Not worried but how did you get your plants to take off so fast?

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Hmmmm.... That is a bit slow. What type/variety? What's the temperatures?

[@skislock]

I’m growing Little Gem green , and the other just says Red Romaine. Both say they are heirloom seeds. Temperature is 71

[@skislock]

FYI, I’m also trying this with some bok choy.

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

@@skislock hmmm...... That's perfect conditions.... Not too wet?

[@skislock]

That could be it. I have been keeping them in constant 1/2 “ of water to keep cardboard container soft.

[@yoriichi3347]

Add some humic acid it can speed up the germination 😉

[@KaylaBotts]

i just tried this (started 6 days ago) and my seeds are starting to sprout now but the TP tube has also sprouted a lot of white mold on the outside of it.. is this harmful to the plant? should i start over?

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

No, not harmful at all. Just means its a bit too wet.

[@KaylaBotts]

awesome! thanks for the reply.

[@JoeDavidson-gc7zo]

Hello. I how about trying some radishes or beets

[@OmegaReds03]

Celsius please! Even the English gave up the imperial system! Only US still on that old system even NASA is metric!

[@benthere8051]

Fortunately, a liter is so close to a quart they can almost be used interchangeably...

[@kevinjohnston179]

im getting a little bit of white mold around the edges of the tp roll. Any suggestions?

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Hey Kevin....more air less water....but a little bit won't hurt. Especially if its not mold and its fungal hyphae (roots). :-)

[@kevinjohnston179]

@@TheRipeTomatoFarms do you take the bottles off now and again to let them dry out?

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

@@kevinjohnston179 hey Kevin, for this experiment, I did not. I left the bottles on the whole time until harvest. I felt that once I removed the bottles, I'd never be able to get them back on!

[@richardcrossen9480]

How about some basil or dill? 🇨🇦

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

100% Basil for sure Richard. Dill might get too tall.....but to start it off might be dynamite! Good call. :-)

[@craigsuccee3404]

You should try Tokyo Bekana, or Bok Choi. They seem to be the right shape for a pop bottle. Neat experiment. I grew some of my tomatoes in a greenhouse last year for the comparison. The results speak for themselves. Greenhouses or poly tunnels create an epic microclimate for all plants. Longer season and better results.

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

1000% Bok Choi......so doing that!

[@leannekenyoung]

That’s exactly what I thought so I’m trying to grow white tat-soi in my pop bottles as we speak although I didn’t follow the directions as per the video I still hope they turn out! What I did was put the seeding mix in a plastic wallpaper tray and then I moistened the entire tray and then I added my seeds and put I think it was 5 pop bottles over top of the places where I put the seeds and I have left the lids on to keep the heat in while the seeds germinate and I figure if this works I can then pull out the ones that work and transplant into a potting soil tray. With pop bottles on top. Think it’s going to work? I sure hope so because hubby and I have a bet going of course he was the one to tell me I’m not doing it right. Guess I should have watched closer!! Lol!

[@craigsuccee3404]

@@leannekenyoung That's great Leanne. There are so many different ways to garden. That's what's great about gardening, the experimentation. I have some Tat Soi plugs growing under lights in my basement. Last really cold snap just happened overnight. I will be getting these plugs into my most sunny south facing raised bed that has hoops on it, to turn it into a mini greenhouse. Hopefully they will be in the dirt by the end of the weekend. Good luck with your experiment.

[@DjNira69]

@ The Ripe Tomato Farms I don't have the craft paper but can brown paper bags work❓❓❓

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Definitely! Even newspaper works as well! :-)

[@JoeDavidson-gc7zo]

How about some herbs

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Definitely Joe! Would work perfectly1

[@muffdriver69]

Does this work in Antarctica?