Just got back from Lowe's and snagged a few 18 gal totes for $5 each. They make great containers, and last a few years.

Great price! And they have many other uses as well for storage.

Found this on the Lowes website... roomier than 5 gallon buckets. Great find!

edweather wrote: ↑Sun Dec 29, 2019 12:02 pm Just got back from Lowe's and snagged a few 18 gal totes for $5 each. They make great containers, and last a few years.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Style-Selectio ... lsrc=aw.ds

and they may have some that are red with a green lid...good for storing holiday decorations.

I use these for a dutch bucket reservoir, it's 27 gallons and built better than the others. They would work good for Earth Buckets too. Only $8.
https://www.lowes.com/pd/COMMANDER-27-G ... lsrc=aw.ds

What's the best way to drill holes in these sturdy plastic totes?

Whole Saws work great.

MikeInCypress

Alex wrote: ↑Sun Dec 29, 2019 1:25 pm What's the best way to drill holes in these sturdy plastic totes?

I agree, a hole saw works best. Once the pilot bit penetrates the plastic and the teeth of the hole saw touch the plastic, REVERSE the drill and finish drilling the hole. Cuts a much cleaner hole in the plastic.

Fwiw, I just use either a 3/4" or 1" wood drill bit. Get good clean holes.

I use any bit that's easy to grab, wood, metal and paddle bit. The paddle bit is the easiest to drill exactly where you want. I don't clean out the shavings either, drill and Plant!!!!

Paddle bit. That's the word I was looking for.

I do not know what others do but when I used totes I never drilled my drain holes in the bottom. I would drill the holes around the sides about 1" or so from the bottom. I always felt the totes drained better. Of course it could have been my imagination too.......

These are the tubs I have made many sub-irrigated planters (SIPs) out of. The Rubbermaid last longest, in my experience.