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In a recent article, I talked about how you can use clear plastic storage bins as miniature greenhouses for small potted plants and growing seedlings. This is a very cool idea for how you can incorporate plastic storage containers into your gardening efforts, but it is not the only exciting way of using plastic containers for gardening. Another cool project is turning a couple of plastic bins into a self-watering planter. This is the DIY equivalent of the EarthBox, a popular but expensive store-bought planter.

How do you do it? Start by purchasing a large plastic bin for gardening. No, it does not specifically need to say it is for gardening—the same plastic bins you can buy to use anywhere around your house will work just fine. This will only cost you a few dollars. You also need to purchase a short length of PVC pipe, and a slightly smaller plastic tote which will go inside the larger one. Additionally, you need a pond basket, a drill, and a saw.

Grab the smaller of the plastic totes and saw it down to the same height as the pond basket. Flip it upside-down, and cut a circle in the center which is the same circumference as the lip of the pond basket. Bore another hole that is the same circumference as the PVC pipe, and then add a lot of small holes all over the remaining surface area.

Set the pond basket upright inside the bottom of the second, larger tote box. Now put the box you have been drilling in on top of that. You want it to be upside down! The basket will fit right in the hole you made for it. Drill a small drainage hole in the side of the plastic bin. This should go just under the level of the smaller upside-down bin. Next, add your PVC pipe. You’ll use this to pour water into the lower bin. What is the purpose of the pond basket? It acts as a “wick” to draw up moisture into the top area where your plants are growing.

At that point you’re basically done! If you plan to use the box with the lid on it, you will need to drill a hole for the PVC pipe as well as other evenly spaced holes for all the plants you are going to put in the box. Then you simply add the soil and fertilizer, and you are good to go with planting. Once you get the hang of it and see how easy this actually is, you will probably want to make a few of these.

A plastic storage tote is an incredibly versatile item, as you can see, especially when it comes to gardening! Not only can you use a clear tote as a greenhouse, but with a couple of plastic bins and some really basic supplies, you can create your own cheap alternative to the EarthBox. It is perfect for growing herbs, vegetables, and pretty much anything else you can think of. Have fun with this little DIY project, and enjoy the savings!