We recently began setting up house on a piece of property in my husbands family. In an old shed on the property, we found about 200 old clear glass jars. We don't have any recycling facilities for glass in the area. Anyone have any interesing ideas on how I might use them in the garden?
How about some lighting projects? You could make some electric walkway luminaria lights, using a string of old-fashioned large sized "Christmas" lights with an upside down jar over each one. Or maybe something like these hanging candle holders.
thank you zuzu ! Both ideas are great. Btw, i've read your blog... let me just say, I hope my garden turns out half as nice as yours !
This may be a bit ambitious but if you needed a water feature in your garden you could stack the jars into a pyramid, pump water to the top and watch it spill over into each jar. I like the lighted walkway idea Zuzu.
With the jars and Christmas lights do the jars get to hot. It sounds really pretty but I don't want to burn down the house or little fingers.
I did this once, for a garden party, using quart sized jars. I didn't notice any heat problems. I strung the lights out along the ground, where we needed them, then pushed 3 short stakes into the ground around each bulb, then up-turned the jars over the little stakes, so that they sort of "hovered" about a 1/2 inch off the soil, if that makes sense. :-? I did that mainly so that the jars would stay level, even though the ground wasn't. but it also allowed for air circulation. But it's probably best to use the smaller cool-burning lights, if 'lil paws might touch :-D better safe than sorry.
I was going to suggest the luminary idea. I have a book that shows something similar using old light "globes" (like the ones for ceiling fans). You use copper beading wire to do kind of netting and use lots of shiny glass beads. This sounds complicated but it is pretty easy. You use little tea lights inside...the glass beads sparkle in the candle light. You use regular hardware store chain to make the hangers.
I just remembered something I saw at a boutique about 8 years ago. Secure the end of a length of wicking, the kind used in kerosine lamps, to the bottom of the jar with tape, coil some extra wicking along the bottom of the jar. Fill the jars with fake greenery, fruit or vegies -whatever theme you want. Then fill the jar with lamp oil, scented or unscented, your preference. If they are canning jars then poke a hole in the flat seal, stick the wicking thru the hole and screw on the jar rim. If they are jars with regular one piece lids, then just poke the hole in that and continue with the above instructions. Once the wick has absorbed the oil, it can be lit and will burn but will not burn down into the jar.
Ah, Toni suggested what I was thinking. I was just admiring them in Hobby Lobby today. Rather spendy things in the store, but easily accomplished with a few creative spurts. You could also put the jars on a shelf outside and use them for cuttings. I saw a display in a flea market yesterday of many glass jars (pitchers, etc.) with glass gems and things in them, then rooting plants such as Pothos. Very cute. Karen Marie
