• slide
  • slide
  • slide
  • slide
  • slide
  • slide
  • slide
  • slide

Bottle Biology

Need a break from all the holiday festivities?  Put your family and some of those recycled materials and cast-aways to work by building your own terrarium. 

All you need is a 2-liter bottle, well-drained potting mix, some small stones, shells or figurines and a few houseplants cuttings, small tropical plants, moss or other slow growing small scale plants.  

Create the terrarium from a soda or water bottle heading to the recycling bin.  Remove the label using a hairdryer set on low to melt the glue.

Use a pair of scissors or utility knife to cut the bottle into a base and cover.  Make the bottom deep enough for planting.  Slice several vertical cuts in the cover to make it easier to slide the top into the base.

Fill the base with a well-drained potting mix, plant, and then moisten the soil.  Add a few decorative features and cover with the top of the bottle.  Vent as needed.

A bit more information:  Check out BottleBiology.org for more ways to put 2-liter bottles to work growing, composting and learning about science and the environment.

Upcoming
Events & Webinars

Mar. 18, 2026
FREE WEBINAR:
Patio, Deck and Balcony Gardens

Register here

March 21 & 28, 2026
REALTORS Home & Garden Show
West Allis, WI
More information

March 24, 2026
SC Johnson Golden Rondelle Theater
Community Program

Racine, WI
More information

March 26, 2026
FREE WEBINAR: 
Getting Started Growing Vegetable and Flower Gardens
Register here

April 1, 2026
FREE WEBINAR: 
Growing a Bountiful Harvest 
Register here

April 9, 2026
FREE WEBINAR:
7 Steps to Managing Water on Your Property

Register here

April 11, 2026
A Day in the Garden
Fond du Lac, WI
Register here

April 18, 2026
3rd Annual Spring Rally
Oshkosh, WI
Register here

April 19, 2026
Ebert's Greenhouse Village
Ixonia, WI

April 23, 2026
Iowa State University
More information

April 25, 2026
Pasquesi Home & Gardens
Lake Bluff, IL

April 26, 2026
Ebert's Greenhouse Village
Ixonia, WI

May 2, 2026
Ebert's Greenhouse Village
Ixonia, WI

May 6, 2026
FREE WEBINAR: 
Adding Native Plants
to Any Size Gardening Space

Register here

May 9, 2026
Ebert's Greenhouse Village
Ixonia, WI

May 10, 2026
Ebert's Greenhouse Village
Ixonia, WI

May 16, 2026
Ebert's Greenhouse Village
Ixonia, WI

May 17, 2026
Ebert's Greenhouse Village
Ixonia, WI

May 21, 2026
FREE WEBINAR: 
Planting & Care of Your Rain Garden
Register here

June 3, 2026
FREE WEBINAR: 
Managing Your Landscape
with Pollinators in Mind

Register here

Sept. 3, 2026
FREE WEBINAR: 
Tree Planting and Care
Register here

Sept. 12, 2026
Knowledge in Bloom Conference
Milwaukee, WI
Register here

Sept. 17, 2026
FREE WEBINAR:
Fall Landscape Care and Planting

Register here

WATCH ON-DEMAND WEBINARS

Learn More

Book an Appearance

Learn More

Sign up for Melinda's free  e-newsletter for a chance to win a Birds & Blooms' Ultimate Gardening Guide!

ENTER NOW