Home › Build it guides › Bottle cloches
How to build a bottle cloches
A plastic bottle over a seedling is a mini greenhouse: it keeps it warm on cold nights and stops slugs getting at it while it's small. Free, and a good job for kids (with a grown-up for the cutting).
- DifficultyEasy
- Time5 minutes
- Rough costabout £0
What you need
| Item | Qty | Cost | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clear plastic bottles, 2 litres | 1 | £0.00 |
Prices are rough guides. Shop links are affiliate links: we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you (more).
Tools
- Scissors or a craft knife (grown-ups start the cut)
Step by step
- Wash the bottle and peel off the label so the light gets in.
- Cut the bottom off. A grown-up starts the cut with a knife, then scissors are fine.
- Push it over the seedling, twisting so the edge sinks about 2cm into the soil - slugs can't get under.
- Lid on for cold nights, lid off on warm days to let air in. Lift it off when the plant touches the sides.
Tips
- Push a thin cane through the neck to stop it blowing away.
- Big 5-litre water bottles work for courgettes and squash.
Good for growing
Pick what you want to grow and we'll tell you when to build it.
Start growing - it's free