I've lost 3 out of my 9 asparagus plants last Winter. I was looking for
something more robust than the usual 3L plastic water bottles.

I've got half a dozen surplus demijons, acquired from Council and car-boot
sales. To cut the bases off, first look at this video:-
http://lifehacker.com/5892147/cut-a-...tring-and-fire
My method is to use meths rather than nail polish remover.
I prefer to brush the meths, (about 5ml) rather than dip the string.
As per video, rotate rapidly for 45 seconds.
Plunge into bucket of cold water :-)
Clean edge with glasspaper (I used 120 grade aluminium oxide) Gloves
needed:-
http://s20.postimg.org/46gjawgx9/IMG_3986.jpg

My first attempt shattered after 2 mins. 2 mins is too long. The DJ is still
useable, but it took a lot of sanding to remove the jagged edges.
At only 45 seconds of heat, the next 5 DJs were good.
The cut-line doesn't follow the string, perhaps 10mm away??
The edge is a bit wavy, but for protecting delicate garden plants, just a
few seconds with
abrasives is all that's required.

In article ,
says...

I've lost 3 out of my 9 asparagus plants last Winter. I was looking for
something more robust than the usual 3L plastic water bottles.

I've got half a dozen surplus demijons, acquired from Council and car-boot
sales. To cut the bases off, first look at this video:-
http://lifehacker.com/5892147/cut-a-...tring-and-fire
My method is to use meths rather than nail polish remover.
I prefer to brush the meths, (about 5ml) rather than dip the string.
As per video, rotate rapidly for 45 seconds.
Plunge into bucket of cold water :-)
Clean edge with glasspaper (I used 120 grade aluminium oxide) Gloves
needed:-
http://s20.postimg.org/46gjawgx9/IMG_3986.jpg

My first attempt shattered after 2 mins. 2 mins is too long. The DJ is still
useable, but it took a lot of sanding to remove the jagged edges.
At only 45 seconds of heat, the next 5 DJs were good.
The cut-line doesn't follow the string, perhaps 10mm away??
The edge is a bit wavy, but for protecting delicate garden plants, just a
few seconds with
abrasives is all that's required.

what a good idea, thanks. Demijohns turn up in garage sales and
jumbles, must keep an eye out.

Janet

"Janet" wrote in message
t...

In article ,
says... snip
http://s20.postimg.org/46gjawgx9/IMG_3986.jpg

My first attempt shattered after 2 mins. 2 mins is too long. The DJ is
still
useable, but it took a lot of sanding to remove the jagged edges.
At only 45 seconds of heat, the next 5 DJs were good.
The cut-line doesn't follow the string, perhaps 10mm away??
The edge is a bit wavy, but for protecting delicate garden plants, just a
few seconds with
abrasives is all that's required.

what a good idea, thanks. Demijohns turn up in garage sales and
jumbles, must keep an eye out.

The local Council dump used to be a good source at about 25p each. They've
closed their sale tables down, I suspect the taxman has been sniffing around


Neighbours donated 3 but 2 were the very dark demijons. I'll use these for
wine. There could be a glut of elderberry this year - if the amount of
flowers seen, is anything to go by.

In article ,
says...

"Janet" wrote in message
t...

In article ,
says... snip
http://s20.postimg.org/46gjawgx9/IMG_3986.jpg

My first attempt shattered after 2 mins. 2 mins is too long. The DJ is
still
useable, but it took a lot of sanding to remove the jagged edges.
At only 45 seconds of heat, the next 5 DJs were good.
The cut-line doesn't follow the string, perhaps 10mm away??
The edge is a bit wavy, but for protecting delicate garden plants, just a
few seconds with
abrasives is all that's required.

what a good idea, thanks. Demijohns turn up in garage sales and
jumbles, must keep an eye out.

The local Council dump used to be a good source at about 25p each. They've
closed their sale tables down, I suspect the taxman has been sniffing
around


Good idea. Things are more relaxed here; people often put in a
salvage request at the recycling centre and the council is no doubt
happy to reduce the amount of rubbish they have to pay to take off the
island.

Neighbours donated 3 but 2 were the very dark demijons. I'll use these for
wine. There could be a glut of elderberry this year - if the amount of
flowers seen, is anything to go by.

We were just remarking the same thing this morning. Everything is
flowering its socks off.. just later then usual.

Janet.

"Martin" wrote in message
...

"Janet" wrote in message
.net...


what a good idea, thanks. Demijohns turn up in garage sales and
jumbles, must keep an eye out.

We had a local source of free carboys. A family business that made
pickled vegetables. The vinegar was delivered in carboys.
When I lived in a flat, I made a bottle garden out of one.

I guess you could have your own mini Eden Project with 2. One for Tropical
and another with a Mediterranean climate. I know there are long-handled
tools available.

The vinegar was supplied in glass or plastic carboys? The glass ones are a
bit pricey, plus there's P+P :-
http://www.brew2bottle.co.uk/23l-gla...FXMPtAodk1MAcg