Purchase bedding plants at a nursery or garden center to create a ready-made vegetable garden. If desired, you can plant vegetable seeds directly in the container in spring, or you can start the seeds indoors about eight weeks before the last frost in your area.
Scrub the plastic tote with soapy water. If the tote has previously been used for planting, scrub with a mixture of 10 parts water and one part household bleach. Rinse the plastic tote with cool water. Continue rinsing until all traces of bleach have been removed.
Drill small drainage holes around the base of the plastic tote, about 1/2 inch from the bottom, with about 1 inch between each hole. If you don't have a drill, you can use a hammer and a nail to make small holes, or you can cut slashes with a sharp knife or craft knife.
Place 1 inch of gravel in the bottom of the plastic tote. The gravel will improve soil drainage and will prevent soil from washing out through the drainage holes.
Fill the plastic tote with commercial potting soil to about 3 to 4 inches from the top of the tote. Do not use regular garden soil, which can contain pests, bacteria and weed seeds. It will also compact in the plastic tote and become very heavy.
Mix a timed-release granular fertilizer into the potting soil. Read the directions on the package carefully to determine the appropriate amount of granular fertilizer for your plastic tote.
Water the potting mixture until the potting mixture is damp clear through, but not dripping wet.
Plant the plastic tote with the desired vegetable plants or vegetable seeds. Tuck seedlings gently into the potting mix to avoid damaging their roots. Leave 4 to 6 inches between each plant, and thin the plants as needed to keep the vegetables from becoming crowded.
Place the plastic tote where the vegetables will be exposed to adequate sunshine. Most vegetables require at least six hours of sunlight each day. However, lettuce and greens such as spinach and chard will do better if they are not exposed to hot afternoon sunlight, and vegetables like radishes, onions and parsley will do fine in partial shade.
Check your plastic tote every day, and water if the top of the soil feels dry to the touch. Remember that soil in containers will dry out quickly, especially in hot weather. Be careful not to overwater, as the roots of your vegetables can rot in too much moisture.