whiteapple - I think you're talking about what Trudi calls "Hot Caps." There is one page of info on that on the Wintersown.org site - it's in the FAQ, from the Tomatoes link there is a transplanting tomatoes link, I've posted the direct link with this message. I had posted a question about the same thing a week or so ago - but not many responses. My guess is that most people don't use the water bottle method here. I tried some searches of this forum, the growing from seed forum, and the vegetable forum, but found very few threads that mention it, and those that do have only brief mentions, in maybe one or two posts. I tried several variations of search terms, but maybe I didn't pick the right ones. I'm not sure if the bottles work as mini green houses or not. They are called hot caps, but the page only mentions protection from insects, bird attacks, and animals. It does specifically cite using water bottles (looks like the 12 oz ones to me), so I doubt the ridges are an issue, and gives very specific directions on how to do it. I was curious about whether or not the bottles also trap heat, and if so, how much. I have been saving Gatorade bottles, clear 2-liter bottles, and some of those very large pretzel containers (clear) from Costco to use. I'm guessing 1 liter bottles would also work fine, pretty much any clear bottle. I'm hoping to keep my peppers and tomatoes a little warmer in the early season to hopefully jumpstart the harvest. It's my first year trying that, so I don't know what to expect, and don't have any experience to share. For the peppers and tomatoes, I plan to use larger containers (liter/2 liter) in order to keep them in place until closer to when the plant matures. I may have to cut off tops to make a wider opening to not trap too much heat. I plan to use the small containers for my early lettuce, cucumber, broccoli, spinach, corn, melon plants to give them time to get established before the rabbits come nibble. I plan to use the really big pretzel containers over my soybean plants as permanent protection from the rabbits, and also to warm them up a little earlier right after planting. I think with the really wide tops, and large diameter, they should be OK heat-wise with no risk of touching. Again, that's just my plan and I'm hoping for success. I'm going to keep an eye on it, and at the first sign of temps to high within the container or the plant outgrowing it and in danger of touching the side, they'll be removed. Another option, which I may or may not try (weather depending) is covering an area of your bed with black plastic to pre-heat the soil. I found out about that when looking for any posts related to the water bottle hotcap greenhouses. I can't remember where, but at least a few people seem to do that. I'm considering doing that where I plan to plant the tomatoes, peppers, and possibly soybeans. I won't bother for the other fruits/veggies which were all fine last year direct sown into cold ground. It may speed up cucs and melons a little, but I don't think it will be necessary. Last year was an exceptionally cold, wet spring for me. Good luck. Whatever you decide, please share your plans and experience. I'm always on the lookout for better ideas. Sherri Here is a link that might be useful: Hot Caps (transplanting tomatoes) at Wintersown.org

Crates - I got mine from corner stores and from the Coca Cola truck. All I did was ask. Four years ago they were hard to get since they required a $5.00 deposit from the vendors but that was eliminated and now - at least here - you can get them for the asking. Since they do cost the pop companies a pretty penny, don't assume they will readily give them to you. I've had some folks say no. I now have an arsenal of them so am quite set for some time. Karen, I've posted about the upside down 'V' in the past but have gotten lazy in the last year. They do work better, but the simple slits still work. Wendy, If simply placing the bottles out like that is how you create those gorgeous gardens of yours, then I'll have to try it. :O)

Cloning is my main goal. While trying to learn I came on all of these different terms. I have never worked with plants before. I like to build things and could easily build a hydroponics or aeroponics growing system with a little more understanding of what the plants need and how the systems work. When we moved to town from the country. I decided to turn our small backyard into a garden. I built the hardscape, well not finished yet, maybe never finish. Now I need to fill it with plants and flowers, a hard learning curve for me. I do know a Rose from a tree, but that is about all. I built a greenhouse a couple of months ago and have it full of plants that I am growing from seeds. I had to trim back some Azaleas so I decided that I should try to root the cuttings rather than throwing them away. I used root tone and put about 250 of the cuttings in potting soil. Tis was probably 2 months ago, most turned brown. I started reading this forum and have learned a lot. After I posted this thread. I read a lot of the threads relating to rooting and planting seeds. I think that I understand that rooting can be accomplished in soil or with out soil. I am going to try to root some more Azaleas in some Miracle Grow potting soil one more time this spring. I may try the hydroponics or areoponics later. Also the bottles interest me, in the morning I plan to plant maybe ten cuttings in some 20 oz Gatorade bottles. I found that if you cut Gatorade in the right place they will snap back together. I think I will put the potting soil in the neck of the bottle and use the bottom as the "greenhouse". I do have some questions about growing something in a bottle. It is pretty much a closed system, but I guess that it will still have to be watered, need drainage and will have to vent out the top. Any suggestions along this line of thought ? Here is a link that might be useful: The Garden

What an amazing project for elementary school kids. If they all started saving 2 liter bottles and took them to school to collect, by January they would have enough and then the greenhouse, reuse/recycle, planting lessons could begin. They could grow flowers to plant at the school, or even vegies. My MIL goes through one 2 liter per day (minimum). I bet it wouldn't take long to get enough to experiment with. So what if it only lasts a year or two. Just keep saving for replacements.