For those who want to grow plants but lack a yard or landscape to dig into, there are options.
For some, that might be a top-of-the-line planter or a made-to-order plant bed, but that doesn’t work for everyone. What if you, to be blunt, are looking for a cheaper option?
Try this: Head to your local store and grab a plastic tote – essentially a durable plastic container, often with handles. Then get seeds or a starter plant, and soil and you are ready to grow. Best of all, this option is affordable for those just getting into gardening.
To find out about growing in totes, I went to an expert, Robbie Harris from Robbie and Gary Gardening Easy on YouTube, who has grown extensively in totes.
Harris also just happens to be my grandmother.
“I have always gardened, even as a kid. I was growing radishes and corn as a kid. My bubbe had her own blackberry garden,” said my grandmother. “I think I got into gardening because I watched her and her blackberry bush.”
And how did she get into YouTube – surely not via her bubbe (or grandma)? No, that has more to do with her husband, Gary.
“Gary is from Australia and his family wanted to see what he was up to in our garden. Gary was standing on top of woodchips and planting all kinds of things for his family to see, and along the way, people started subscribing and asking questions about gardening,” said my grandmother.
Why plastic totes?
Yes, you can always get something more expensive or lovely to look at. But plastic totes, which make it easier to move your plants as needed, are cheaper compared to grow-beds that are wooden or metal. Eighteen-gallon to 30-gallon totes can cost about $10, while a grow-bed can cost anywhere between $35 and $90. So plastic totes are more cost-effective than traditional raised grow beds. Buying enough soil to fill a trough or grow-bed will also be costly compared to plastic totes.
If worried about the plastic cracking over time, Harris said that as long as the totes are cared for and treated as though they have a plant in them even in the cold months, they are less likely to dry out and crack. She also pointed out that everything breaks down after a while, and she would prefer an inexpensive tote break down and need replacing than a metal trough or a wooden grow bed, which would be more expensive to replace.
Harris said she prefers planting in plastic totes instead of grow bags because grow bags allow too much airflow, allowing the soil to dry out quickly. Plastic totes enable the water to evaporate from the top but keep the soil inside moist, allowing for the right amount of moisture needed for your plants. This is better for hotter, dryer climates like Southern California as well.
Some things to be mindful of. Don’t fill them up so much that they are too heavy to move. Also, remember that the walls are not as thick as other types of containers so it’s best if they aren’t getting blasted by the heat, which could cause them to dry out. And, as one gardening expert suggested, check the prices on a range of containers: In some instances, another option, such as a metal trough, could be cheaper per square foot.
But today we’re looking at totes for those starting out as gardeners. So if what you try to grow doesn’t flourish initially, keep going. This is all about trial and error.
“If what you are trying to grow dies, it is not a waste. It’s now compost for your next plant,” my grandmother said.
What’s the advantage?
Besides saving space and creating large growing areas, containers make gardening easier by lifting up the plants, which keeps them safe from smaller animals such as rabbits or groundhogs. Raising the plant beds makes tending to your garden easier to manage with less bending or sitting on the ground.
Even if you have the space to garden in the ground, using totes can help make gardening more manageable when growing many different plants. It also helps control the plants you decide to grow by allowing the roots space and nutrients they need.
When setting up a tote, make sure research has been done on what plants you want to grow and see if they can be grown close to or next to another plant you are thinking of growing. This can help with setting up the totes and deciding what plants will grow better together and what plants will be too overbearing for others and should get their own tote.
Growing in totes helps the ability to move your plants around as well, making it easier to understand what makes your plants grow better.
Seeking insight from beyond my own family, I thought I’d get another opinion. When asked what the best plant to grow in totes is, Angel Martinez from Martinez Nursery in Buena Park explained that it depends on where you are growing, how much light you get and what color your house is –– in short, it’s about the environment you are putting them in. He said there is no such thing as an easy plant because you need the right space to thrive.
By growing in totes, you can move your plants around to experiment with better places. Martinez also said to never be embarrassed to ask questions when learning to grow. By asking questions, you can save the life of your plant, whether you are growing in totes or not.
How to prep your plants
Make sure to cut holes in the bottom and about one to two inches from the bottom on the sides to allow water drainage. This can be done by simply drilling holes a few inches apart to allow for easy drainage. The holes do not need to be large, either. You just don’t want the water to sit and not be able to drain because it can cause rot within your plant rooting system. So adding a few holes to your tote will help with drainage and airflow circulation.
After that, layering the bottom of the tote with plant matter such as leaves or sticks helps take up room and help with the growth of your plants. If you do not have these things, compostable food can also work, or simply layering your soil mix in without layering the bottom is fine, but will cost more in soil. My grandmother said she also uses paper to layer the bottom since paper is compostable. She said she then puts about four inches of soil she buys from the store in the tote, which is then ready to be used for plants.
So now, you’re ready.
“Remember, there is no wrong way to garden,” said my grandmother. “We all have gardening in our genes, or else we wouldn’t be here.”
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