7 Clever Uses For Storage Bins In The Garden

If you're someone who chronically collects storage bins, whether it's the large plastic tubs that take over your garage or the flimsy plastic drawer containers that no longer have a use in the house, then you may be in luck. These clunky pieces of clutter may actually be the answer for a thriving garden. While incredibly unexpected, if you're up for a little DIY, you can transform would-be trash into gardening treasure.

Take, for example, those aforementioned tubs; these make for fantastic raised veggie beds. They're big enough to give the plants space to grow and yet are contained enough to help you control them. The same idea applies to utility buckets as well. You can repurpose these items and give them a new life outside of your garage. Meanwhile, storage pieces like plastic drawers make clever and portable greenhouses to start your seedlings in the spring. If you think outside the (garden) box, you can make use of many unexpected things!

Large plastic storage totes are a creative way to DIY a non-permanent garden bed. With a few drilled holes at the bottom of the tote, you can transform this storage bin into a mobile bed. If you have particularly deep bins, consider using some sort of filler (you can repurpose common household items into plant pot fillers, like plastic bottles or cardboard) to save on how much potting soil you use. Since these tubs are lightweight and cheap, they're perfect for folks who need mobility, like renters with limited outdoor space. 

If you have storage drawers hanging around, you can easily turn them into a DIY greenhouse for your springtime seedlings. It's a budget-friendly way to start your garden, and its vertical setup makes it ideal for smaller spaces. As a bonus, this setup keeps seedlings safe from curious toddlers and pets! Inside each drawer, place your seed mats, watering the plants well. Then, close the drawers to allow the natural humid, greenhouse effect to take place. Make sure they get sun through the front and sides of the bins, opening the drawers as needed for air circulation.

If you like the idea of storage tote gardening, but are a little intimidated at the amount of soil and different plants you'll need to keep track of, consider starting small with some shallower storage tubs for an easy herb garden. Simply drill holes at the bottom to allow for drainage, add some soil to the totes, then plant your favorite herbs to enjoy. Ensure they are well watered (but also well drained), and are in ideal environments so they don't burn or bolt too quickly.

This is another brilliant greenhouse idea, perfect for people who have a patio garden. Using smaller storage bins, their lids, and some fabric tulle, you'll have a perfectly petite and pest-proof garden. First, cut the flexible, thinner plastic at the center of the lid out, leaving the rigid frame. Pop that rigid part back onto the bin, then proceed to cut strips of plastic about an inch or so wide from the thinner plastic. Arch those strips over the bin like a tent, tack them in place, then drape your tulle over the hoops. 

Sometimes, thin fabric grow bags will get a bit leaky and soggy, losing their shape. If you have any larger plastic tubs or trays lying around, they can come in handy to help salvage those bags so that they can continue to grow healthily into the season. Simply place your bags into the tray, fitting them so they're relatively snug together, then fill them with soil. Add some drainage holes to prevent sogginess. The trays help with structural integrity, limits the sogginess, and captures any excess moisture from the grow bags themselves.

Using storage bins for the garden doesn't necessarily have to be in the garden. In fact, many different storage containers can double as seed storage and organizers with a little imagination. Clear, plastic pencil boxes, old food storage containers, and small to medium-sized storage bins are all great candidates to sort your seed packets. Label them so you know what's inside each, and make sure you're refrigerating the seeds that do best when kept at lower temperatures. You'll have an impressive seed bank before you know it!

They may not be the most aesthetic planters, but large buckets are storage containers that can viably grow all sorts of plants without much issue. As with other plastic storage totes, ensure your planters can drain by drilling some holes at the bottom of the bucket. Otherwise, treat them the same as you would any other planter. The best bonus here is that these gallon buckets are often cheaper than planter pots you'll find at the hardware store, but they effectively work the same.