MAKE A MINI HOTHOUSE

SOPHIE THOMSON shows how to create a cosy spot for spring seedlings with her simple DIY self-watering design.

YOU WILL NEED:

● heavy-duty plastic storage container with lid

● drill with 6mm bit

● washed river sand

● plastic pot

● plastic soft drink bottle

1 START by drilling a hole in each corner of the lid. This allows excess water vapour to escape. Too much moisture inside the box can lead to fungal problems. If you see water running down the inside of the box, open the lid a little to let moist air escape.

2 DRILL a small drainage hole in the side of the box 1–2cm from the bottom, to stop the plants drowning if extra water gets in. 3 PUT a 3–5cm layer of washed river sand in the base. This helps the water wick up into the pots once they are embedded in it. Moisten the sand with some water to get the wicking action started.

4 CUT the bottom out of the plastic pot, then put the empty soft drink bottle into it to make sure the lip of the bottle sits just shy of the bottom rim of the pot. These two pieces will form the water reservoir.

5 PUSH the pot into the sand, without the bottle. Fill the bottle with water and place it upside down through the pot and into the sand. The bottle will slowly empty and moisten the sand. As long as you keep the bottle full, your seedlings will be kept constantly watered. Push the seedling pots into the sand a couple of millimetres to make sure the wicking action works.

For the first few hours, leave the box in a sunny spot with the lid off to allow any excess moisture to evaporate, then cover with the lid. Move the box around to catch the sun, or place under cover as needed.