Plastic totes are less expensive than wooden or metal grow beds because they allow you to easily move your plants around if needed. (Getty Images)
For those who want to grow plants but don't have a garden or landscape to dig into, there are options.
For some, it may be a top-of-the-line planter or custom-made flower pot, but that won't work for everyone. Frankly, what if you're looking for a cheaper option?
Try this. Go to your local store and pick up a plastic tote bag. This is basically a durable plastic container, often with a handle. Next, get your seeds or starter plants, soil, and you're ready to grow. Best of all, this option is affordable for those just starting out in gardening.
To learn more about growing totes, I consulted an expert on growing totes extensively: Robbie Harris of Robbie and Gary Gardening Easy on YouTube.
Harris also happens to be my grandmother.
“I've been gardening ever since I was a child. I grew radishes and corn as a child. My mother had her own blackberry garden,” said my grandmother. “I think I got interested in gardening because I was watching her and her blackberry bushes.”
And how did she get into YouTube? Surely it wasn't through her mom (or grandma)? No, it has more to do with her husband, Gary.
“Gary is from Australia and his family wanted to see what he was doing in our garden. Gary even stood on the wood chips for the family to see. We were planting all kinds of things, and along the way, people started signing up and asking questions about gardening,” my grandmother said.
Why plastic tote bags?
Yes, you can always get something more expensive or better looking. However, plastic totes, which allow you to easily move plants if needed, are less expensive than wooden or metal grow beds. Grow beds cost between $35 and $90, while 18- to 30-gallon totes cost about $10. Therefore, plastic tote bags are more cost effective than traditional raised grow beds. Purchasing enough soil to fill a trough or grow bed is also more expensive compared to plastic totes.
If you're worried about plastic cracking over time, we recommend that even in cold weather, if you treat it as if it were a plant inside a tote, it's less likely to dry out and crack. Harris says. She also pointed out that everything breaks down after a while, so she prefers an inexpensive tote bag that breaks down and has to be replaced, rather than a metal trough or wooden grow bed that's expensive to replace. did.
Harris said she likes to plant in plastic totes rather than grow bags. This is because grow bags allow too much airflow and the soil dries out quickly. When you use a plastic tote, the water evaporates from the top, but the soil inside stays moist, giving your plants the right amount of moisture they need. This is also suitable for hot, dry climates like Southern California.
There are a few things to keep in mind. Don't pack it so much that it's too heavy to move. Also note that the walls are not as thick as other types of containers, so it is best not to expose them to heat that can cause drying. And, as one gardening expert suggested, check the prices of different containers. In some cases, another option, such as a metal trough, may be cheaper per square foot.
But today we will look at tote bags for those who have started working as gardeners. So even if what you're trying to grow doesn't work at first, keep going. This is all a process of trial and error.
“Even if what you were trying to grow dies, it is not wasted. This will become compost for the next plant,” my grandmother said.
What are the benefits?
Containers not only allow you to save space and create a larger growing area, they also elevate your plants for easier gardening and protect them from small animals such as rabbits and groundhogs. Elevating your plant beds will make your garden easier to maintain, as you won't have to bend over or sit on the ground.
Even if you have space for gardening in the ground, tote bags can make your gardening more manageable if you want to grow a variety of plants. It also helps control the plants you decide to grow by ensuring the roots have the space and nutrients they need.
When setting up your tote, do some research ahead of time about what plants you want to grow and see if you can grow them near or next to other plants you're thinking of growing. This will help you set up your tote and determine which plants grow better when grown together and which plants are too strong for others and need their own tote. .
Growing in totes also allows you to move your plants around, making it easier to understand what makes them grow better.
I wanted to look beyond my own family for insight and get another opinion. When asked what the best plants are to grow in totes, Angel Martinez of Martinez Nursery in Buena Park explains that it depends on where you grow them, the amount of light you get, and the color of your home – environment is key. Did. He said there is no such thing as an easy plant as it needs proper space to grow.
Growing in a tote allows you to move the plant and try a better location. Martinez also said he is never ashamed to ask questions as he learns to grow. By asking questions, he can save the life of a plant, whether it's grown in a tote or not.
how to prepare plants
Be sure to cut holes in the bottom and sides about 1-2 inches from the bottom to allow water to drain out. This simply requires drilling holes a few inches apart for easy drainage. The hole doesn't need to be large either. You don't want standing water to drain away, as this can cause rot within the plant's root system. Therefore, adding some holes to your tote bag will help circulation for drainage and airflow.
Then layer plants, such as leaves and branches, on the bottom of the tote to free up space and encourage plant growth. If you don't have these things, you can also use compostable food. Alternatively, you can simply layer the soil mix without layering the bottom, but this will increase the cost of the soil. My grandmother said that she sometimes puts a layer of paper on the bottom because paper is compostable. She puts about 4 inches of soil bought at her store inside a tote bag, ready to use on the plants, she said.
The preparation is now complete.
“Remember, there is no wrong way to garden,” my grandmother said. “We all have gardening in our genes, otherwise we wouldn't be here.”
