A clean two-liter bottle can be converted into a functional bird feeder in less than fifteen minutes with a utility knife, two wooden spoons or dowels, and a length of twine. Cut small X-shaped openings in the sides of the bottle near the bottom, push a wooden spoon through each opening so that the bowl of the spoon extends outward as a perch and the handle extends through the bottle to the opposite side, and fill the bottle with birdseed. The seed will flow slowly from the bottle onto the spoon perches as birds feed, and the bottle protects the remaining seed from rain and moisture. Hang it from a branch or hook with the twine, and you have a fully functional feeder that cost nothing beyond the bottle and a couple of spoons.
For a hummingbird feeder, the approach is even simpler: purchase a hummingbird feeder attachment — widely available online and at garden centers for a few dollars — that screws directly onto the mouth of a standard plastic bottle. Fill the bottle with hummingbird nectar (one part sugar dissolved in four parts water, cooled), attach the feeding apparatus, invert, and hang. The result is a fully functional hummingbird feeder that is easy to clean, easy to refill, and far cheaper than most commercial alternatives.
6. The Garden Scoop — An Instant Tool for Soil and Fertilizer
Cut a large plastic bottle diagonally across the lower portion of the bottle — at about a 45-degree angle starting from just below the handle area — and you have a sturdy, perfectly shaped scoop with a built-in handle. The cut creates a wide, angled opening that works effectively for scooping and transferring potting soil, compost, fertilizer granules, mulch, cat litter, chicken feed, or virtually any dry granular material. The handle of the bottle provides a comfortable, secure grip, and the plastic is rigid enough to hold its shape under the weight of heavier materials. This scoop is particularly useful for transferring materials from large bags into smaller containers, for filling raised bed planters, or for applying fertilizer around plants without waste.
