Do Not Use Soda Bottles For Your Upside Down Herb Planters

It's been a week since I replanted the herbs on my fire escape in the upside down herb planters. Sure enough, the parsley is starting to die again.

The first time around there were many things that could've went wrong - the heavy soil, my not so gentle hands, etc. This time, I am not sure.

Unless there is something that I'm totally missing out on, I would not recommend building and using these to plant your herbs.

For more information, please visit www.UrbanOrganicGardener.com.

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• urban
• gardening
• upside
• down
• vegetable
• organic

[BudsMoKing]

Yea, i don't see parsley ever surviving this kind of experiment... a good basil perhaps... but, as mentioned, i would look for other sources for containers as i wouldn't want to deal with BPA. Hint a good place for free food-grade 5- gallon buckets, Chick-Fil-A. I worked at one for nearly 5 years and know the great quantities of them that are tossed in the trash. These are perfect for plants that do well in a hanging garden.

[CanarsieBK]

@BudsMoKing Nice. Thanks for the info.

[TheRazorSwift]

The BPA leaking out of the bottles is bad anyways, all is well...

[CanarsieBK]

@TheRazorSwift True indeed.

[ManOfOZ2011]

Make sure they're not getting TOO wet!...and also they may have died due to shock!...Don't expose too soon to the Sun.

[CanarsieBK]

@ManOfOZ2011 Thanks for the feedback.

[ragnarok123100]

The reason your plants are dying is because you are introducing light to the roots. Try it again--but this time paint the bottles with a layer of white or black solid paint so that it doesn't allow light to penetrate. You will see the difference.

[yolandasotolopez]

lay them sideway..and cute some holds out the top..kinda of like a boat. They attach them to you fire escape. I saw this in South America and they grow all kinds of things..strawberries, squash, herbs, tomatos, etc.

[ragnarok123100]

@ukessko Yeah, light is great for leaves, bad for roots! Thanks for the thumbs up.

[ukessko]

@ragnarok123100 im pretty sure that would be the only reason they died unless overwatered. lots of people have had successful results on those plastic bottles.

[Illchangeitlater]

I plant in soda bottles all the time, but never upside down. I don't see how it would work better. just plant in the top part. It does save space how you had them hanging on your balcony. Compliments on that ;) Succes next time

PS: If you fear the roots getting too much light, try painting or covering the outside of the bottles.

[CanarsieBK]

@ragnarok123100 Interesting. Thanks for the tip.