Can You Grow Vegetables in a Rubbermaid Container?

Growing vegetables in a Rubbermaid container works well when you choose the right size, add drainage, and use proper soil. Plastic storage bins are affordable, lightweight, and portable, making them a practical option for container gardening on patios, balconies, or small yards. The success of your vegetables depends on how you prepare the container and what you plant in it.

What Vegetables Grow Best in a Rubbermaid Container?

Not all vegetables thrive in the limited depth of a plastic storage bin. Shallow-rooted vegetables perform best in Rubbermaid containers because they do not need more than 8 to 12 inches of soil. Good choices include:

• Lettuce and leafy greens such as spinach, kale, arugula, and Swiss chard
• Radishes that mature quickly and grow in shallow soil
• Green onions and scallions that need little root space
• Bush beans that stay compact instead of climbing
• Peppers of most varieties with their moderate root systems
• Cherry tomatoes that grow well in containers with support
• Carrots that are short or round varieties like Parisian or Thumbelina
• Strawberries that trail over the edges of the bin

Vegetables that require deep soil such as full-size tomatoes, corn, potatoes, or large squash varieties are harder to grow in standard Rubbermaid containers. If you want to try tomatoes, choose determinate or patio types and use a container at least 18 inches deep.

How Do You Prepare a Rubbermaid Container for Growing Vegetables?

Using a Rubbermaid container straight from the store will kill your plants because water has nowhere to drain. Preparation is essential.

Step-by-step preparation process

1. Clean the container thoroughly with mild soap and water to remove dust, labels, and residue. Rinse well.
2. Drill drainage holes in the bottom using a 1/4-inch or 3/8-inch drill bit. Space holes about 3 to 4 inches apart across the entire bottom. Flip the container over and drill from the outside in to prevent cracking.
3. Add side drainage holes about 1 inch above the bottom on all four sides. These help excess water escape and improve airflow to the roots.
4. Elevate the container on bricks, wooden blocks, or pot feet so water can drain freely and air circulates underneath.
5. Line the bottom with landscape fabric or a coffee filter over the holes to keep soil from washing out while still letting water pass.

Using a drill bit for plastic reduces the chance of cracking the bin. Start with a small pilot hole and work up to the final size if your plastic is thin.

What Size Rubbermaid Container Should You Use for Vegetables?

Container size directly affects root growth, water retention, and plant health. Rubbermaid containers come in many sizes, and each works best for specific types of vegetables.

Small containers (5 to 10 gallons)

These work for shallow-rooted crops like lettuce, spinach, radishes, and green onions. A 5-gallon bin can hold 2 to 3 lettuce plants or about 10 radishes. A 10-gallon bin can hold a small salad garden with mixed greens.

Medium containers (10 to 18 gallons)

These are the most versatile sizes for home vegetable gardens. A 10 to 18-gallon Rubbermaid container can support 2 pepper plants, 3 bush bean plants, or 4 to 5 strawberry plants. Medium bins offer better moisture stability than small ones because they hold more soil and dry out more slowly.

Large containers (18 to 30 gallons)

Large storage bins allow you to grow more vegetables and larger plants. An 18-gallon tub can hold one cherry tomato plant with a cage, 3 pepper plants, or a mix of 8 to 10 leafy greens. A 30-gallon bin gives you room for a full mini garden with several vegetable types spaced properly.

Depth considerations

Standard Rubbermaid storage bins are about 12 to 14 inches deep. That depth works for most shallow and medium-rooted vegetables. If you buy a low-profile under-bed style container, use it only for greens and radishes since it will be less than 6 inches deep.

What Type of Soil and Fertilizer Work Best in a Plastic Container Garden?

Soil choice matters more in a Rubbermaid container than in a traditional garden bed because the roots have no natural soil to spread into.

Do not use garden soil from your yard. It is too heavy for containers, compacts easily, and prevents proper drainage. Garden soil in a sealed plastic bin will turn into mud that suffocates roots.

Use a high-quality potting mix instead. Potting mix is lighter, drains better, and contains peat moss or coconut coir for moisture retention. Look for a bag labeled specifically for containers or raised beds.

A good potting mix for containers usually contains perlite or vermiculite for drainage and a slow-release fertilizer for early growth.

Fertilizer needs

Vegetables in containers need regular fertilizer because watering flushes nutrients out of the limited soil. Add a balanced slow-release fertilizer when planting, then supplement with liquid fertilizer every 2 to 4 weeks during the growing season.

Use a slow release fertilizer labeled for vegetables or tomatoes. Follow the package directions exactly. Over-fertilizing causes leafy growth at the expense of fruit and can burn roots.

How Often Should You Water Vegetables Growing in a Rubbermaid Container?

Watering is the trickiest part of growing vegetables in plastic containers. Unlike clay or fabric pots, plastic retains moisture and does not allow evaporation through the sides.

Factors that affect watering frequency

• Container size – Smaller bins dry out faster and may need daily watering in hot weather. Larger bins hold moisture longer.
• Weather conditions – Hot, windy, or sunny weather increases water loss. Cool or cloudy weather reduces it.
• Plant size and type – Large plants with many leaves use more water than small seedlings.
• Stage of growth – Fruiting vegetables need consistent moisture during flowering and fruit development.

How to check if watering is needed

Stick your finger 2 inches into the soil. If it feels dry at that depth, water thoroughly until water runs out the drainage holes. If it feels moist, wait another day before checking again.

Common watering mistakes include watering on a schedule instead of checking the soil, giving small sips instead of deep soaking, and letting water sit in a saucer under the container. Water sitting in a tray breeds fungus gnats and causes root rot.

In hot summer weather, many Rubbermaid container gardens need watering once a day or even twice a day if plants are large and temperatures are above 85°F.

Do Rubbermaid Containers Leach Harmful Chemicals Into Vegetables?

This question worries many gardeners, and understanding the answer helps you make an informed decision.

Rubbermaid storage bins are made from polypropylene (PP) or polyethylene (PE) , both of which are considered food-safe plastics. Polypropylene has a recycling code of 5 and is commonly used for food storage containers, yogurt cups, and medicine bottles. Polyethylene has codes 2 or 4 and is used for milk jugs and plastic bags.

Research suggests that these plastics are stable at normal outdoor temperatures and do not leach significant chemicals into soil or plants. The temperature inside a plastic container in full sun can rise, but studies show that even at elevated temperatures, food-grade polypropylene remains stable.

Tips for reducing any risk

• Choose containers made from polypropylene (recycling code 5) when possible
• Avoid using containers that have stored chemicals, cleaners, or paint
• Wash new containers thoroughly before planting
• Keep containers in partial shade if summer temperatures in your area exceed 95°F
• Line the inside with a food-safe pond liner if you remain concerned

Many community gardens and urban farming programs use plastic storage bins for vegetable growing because they are affordable and safe when used correctly.

What Mistakes Do People Make When Growing Vegetables in Plastic Containers?

Avoiding common problems saves time, money, and disappointment.

Insufficient drainage

The most common mistake is not drilling enough holes or skipping drainage altogether. Without drainage, roots drown and plants develop root rot within days. Drill at least 15 to 20 holes in the bottom of a standard 18-gallon bin.

Overwatering

Because plastic does not evaporate moisture through the sides, gardeners often water too often. Let the soil dry slightly between waterings. Soggy soil leads to yellow leaves, slow growth, and fungal diseases.

Using the wrong soil

Garden soil compacts in containers and prevents oxygen from reaching roots. Always use potting mix designed for containers. Mixing in perlite improves drainage further.

Planting too many vegetables

Crowding plants leads to competition for water, nutrients, and light. Follow spacing guidelines on seed packets or plant tags. A typical 18-gallon Rubbermaid container handles 3 to 4 vegetable plants comfortably, not a dozen.

Skipping fertilizer

Vegetables are heavy feeders and potting mix runs out of nutrients after about three weeks. Without regular fertilizer, plants turn yellow, stop growing, and produce little to no harvest.

Leaving the container in full sun all day

Plastic heats up quickly in direct sun, and soil temperatures can rise above what roots tolerate. Move containers to a spot that gets morning sun and afternoon shade, or place them where they receive about 6 hours of direct light.

How Many Vegetable Plants Can You Grow in One Rubbermaid Tub?

Proper spacing prevents overcrowding and ensures each plant has enough resources. Here is a general guide for an 18-gallon storage bin that is roughly 24 inches long and 16 inches wide.

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