Topic: wine bottles to edge beds?

[pookienoodle]

what are  the pros and cons of using wine bottles to edge veg beds?
I have a virtually unlimited supply available.
I have clay soil if that makes a difference.

[asbean]

I think OK for a flower bed, but quite dodgy for veg.  After all, the bed is going to be dug over or forked at least once or twice a year, it's easy for a tool to slip, land on the edge of the glass and break it.  Broken glass on a plot is a nightmare.

[GRACELAND]

 ???

A bit Dangerous I think  :o

[pookienoodle]

I think OK for a flower bed, but quite dodgy for veg.  After all, the bed is going to be dug over or forked at least once or twice a year, it's easy for a tool to slip, land on the edge of the glass and break it.  Broken glass on a plot is a nightmare.

the wine bottles will be from the pub I work in,I don't know if they are special bottles but they very rarely break if you drop them,maybe I could wrap them in something to be on the safe side.

[betula]

I have seen pics of wine bottles being used to edge beds and they do look good.

Not very good for the old elf and safety though   :)

[northener]

I've never heard of it before but i bet it would look ok. If their is no kids about i'd go for it

[Chrispy]

Personally I would not,  I'm a bit clumsy at the best of time, and with my plot being on a hill it would not be long before I am clearing out more broken glass, or even in casualty.

[tonybloke]

It sounds like a good idea if you are building a 'slug and snail hotel' type thing, but apart from that, it's not a good idea to edge with glass bottles, they'll only get broken, and be a pain to remove in the future (if not by you, then by the next plot-holder)
there was a couple who had done this in their front garden near to where i live, the local kids broke the lot one night, the householder then spent weeks clearing up the mess.

[pookienoodle]

d**n.I am wavering now :(
In principle it should work as the bottles are inserted upsidedown so only the bottom end is visible and this is the part designed to be impact resistant.
now I am not so sure,I was thinking of trying one bed for lasagna gardening and thought it may be a cheap way of doing it.

[northener]

Just had a fink. It would be dangerous if you neglected the plot and the new owners were'nt aware of them.

[Trevor_D]

Having spent years removing bits of broken glass from my plot - I have a theory that glass multiplies in the soil just like weeds - I'd advise against it.

[1066]

I think Obbelix built one in their garden - but note it was their garden and not an allotment. Don't know where you are growing your veg Pookienoodle (great name BTW!) and if this would make a difference to you?

1066

[.]

 Yeah,  but No        But what a shed

 

 http://unusuallife.com/2008/05/01/building-with-bottles/

[pookienoodle]

I think Obbelix built one in their garden - but note it was their garden and not an allotment. Don't know where you are growing your veg Pookienoodle (great name BTW!) and if this would make a difference to you?

1066

I am planning to build a wall ala Obbelix eventually.
It would be one bed(no dig experiement) on my allotment.
I have seen them on other allotment sites and I remember seeing quite a few in veg patches in French gardens.
I am trying to find the cheapest way to start my lottie as it has nothing on it(apart from weeds)
I am having no luck finding spare  wood.

[lewic]

My Aunt has edged her flower beds with bottles (the open ends down) and it looks lovely. Thought about doing it myself but was put off by the fact that it would be impossible to dig without breaking them.

Love the pics of the bottle houses.. thats given me a few ideas!

[cornykev]

I think Pookie's been put off the idea now, I think she's lost her bottle.  :-X    ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

[pookienoodle]

I think Pookie's been put off the idea now, I think she's lost her bottle.  :-X    ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

Ah put a cork in it! ;D

[SMP1704]

IF this is truly going to be a no dig bed and IF you faithfully promise to remove the bottles when or if you leave the site - then why not, go for it.........

[cornykev]

Blimey she's got some neck.    ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

[Digeroo]

If the bottles get full of water and then freeze I would be worried that they might crack.