Wine into Water - Upcycle and Conserve

I started using terracotta water spikes (a take on an ancient watering system called Ollas) in my garden in 2022.  In 2024, I was admiring my garden when I realized that the wine bottles didn't have to be ugly!  Through trial and error, I developed the Wine into Water bottle to add some additional beauty to the garden.  They are suitable for both indoor and outdoor use.  

Directions for use:  Soak the water spikes in water for 1-2 hours to saturate. Using something of similar diameter to the spike (I use a stick), make a vertical hole in the desired location.  Using gentle pressure, press the spike into your hole (The terracotta is fragile; be careful with this step!). Fill the bottle with water and place it into the water spike.  Time to refill varies based on location. If it is in a hot and sunny place, it may need to be refilled every few days.  If the weather is cool or for inside plant use, it can last a week or more between refills.   Make sure you continue to water your plants near the spike for a week or two to help make sure the roots have found the spike!

The base coat covering the bottle helps limit algae growth by limiting sunlight exposure.  The designs on my first bottles were painted directly onto the glass, but reddish brown algae grew within a few months detracting from their beauty. They can be cleaned with a bottle brush as needed (I clean my outdoor bottles annually).  There is an area left clear near the bottom to help prevent paint chipping from repetitive contact between the water spike in the bottle and to help determine when the bottle needs to be refilled.