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taylor810_gw

Rubbermaid containers

17 years ago

Hello everyone,

We built a 6x8 HFGH last summer and I am looking forward to the upcoming months starting seeds for our vegetable garden and I plan on having a plant sale while our street has their annual garage sale.

I see many greenhouse pictures with transplants, cuttings, lettuce, spinach, etc. in clear plastic rubbermaid containers. Which sizes are everyone favorites and what are you growing in them? The local K-Mart is selling 6qt clear shoe box containers 10 for $10.

Comments (12)

  • 17 years ago

    I have several different sizes. All the stores seem to have them now. Those large less high ones that go under beds look good to cover several seed flats at once.

  • 17 years ago

    Not trying to burst your bubble because I do actually use those clear containers myself to start daylily seeds this time of year. But you should know that exposure to sun will make them brittle over time, at least the Sterilite brand does. I haven't seen any clear Rubbermaid brand containers where I shop. I like to use the ones that are approximately 20" x 30" and about 5" deep. It's a good size that I can still lift and move around even if it's filled with damp soil. Mine usually start to fall apart after a year or two but their life will be prolonged if you store them in the shade when not in use and pick them up holding the sides or bottom rather than grabbing the lips/edges. The lips/edges are typically the first things to break off once the plastic turns brittle and then the whole thing loses integrity and starts to fall apart from there. Still they are very handy and usually not very terribly expensive.

    Just wanted you to be aware. Good luck with your greenhouse growing. Danielle

  • 17 years ago

    Hello!
    I am really interested in this type of "greenhouse" because it's small and affordable.

    Do you completely shut the lids or do you drill holes? I'm new to the greenhouse thing, but I would think that they would die if they didn't have airholes. LOL.

    I would love to see some pictures, too!

  • 17 years ago

    These containers aren't airtight, so you don't really need to worry much about air holes. However, it is easy to make holes with a power drill if you want to.

    I set my plants on the LID of one of these containers, then set the container on top of them (upside down). This lets more light into the container (the opaque lid is on the bottom, not obstructing light on the top), and it's easier for me to handle the plants than if I have to reach into the bottom of the container. I use several different sizes, depending on what I need em for. I even keep most of my houseplants in the tray-sized ones (without lids!), for ease in carrying to and from the sink.

    Buy Sterilite instead of Rubbermaid. Much cheaper!

  • 17 years ago

    I have used both outside and the Rubbermaid last much longer than the Sterilite. Of course it cost more as well.

    1eyedJack and the Daweg

  • 17 years ago

    Yupyupyup. I don't consider any of them to be permanent equipment. Outside I can get 2-3 years out of one, though, and that's enough for me!

  • 17 years ago

    I wondered if there was a quality difference ole dawg. Our local sprawl-mart only had the Sterilite last time I went looking for them but that's been a year. I'll have to keep a lookout for those Rubbermaid ones.

    Thanks. Danielle

  • 17 years ago

    I haven't seem Rubbermade clear tubs anywhere. It's all those Sterlites. What stores carry clear Rubbermades?

  • 17 years ago

    Greenhouser...our Target store has clear rubbermade tubs of all different sizes.

  • 17 years ago

    Thanks Lady lotus. We have one in a nearby city I can check out. I seldom shop in Target stores.

  • 17 years ago

    I'll second them getting brittle if left out in sunlight all season. Luckily they are cheap enough but still be careful!

  • 17 years ago

    I wouldn't use plastic

    Here is a link that might be useful: Dangers of PVC

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