Having the ability to grow food in any situation is so important – you never know when you might need a reliable source of nutritious herbs and vegetables!
Whether you lack outdoor space at home or struggle to plant in the soil on your property, growing herbs and vegetables in buckets is an excellent way to start a new garden.
Here’s how to grow veggies in buckets no matter where you live.
Easy Method for Growing Food in 5 Gallon Buckets
5-gallon buckets are seen by many as the best size for container gardening.
They are affordable, widely available, and big enough to accommodate a wide range of plants. For this reason, I’ll be focusing on growing veggies with this bucket size.
1. Choose What You Grow
Certain plants will grow better in buckets than others, so make sure you choose appropriate herbs and vegetables that will grow well and thrive in buckets and containers.
Some of the best vegetables to grow in 5-gallon buckets include, but are not limited to:
- Tomatoes
- Cucumbers
- Eggplants
- Squash
- Beans
- Broccoli
- Cauliflower
- Carrots
- Lettuce
- Kale
- Swiss Chard
- Spinach
- Peas
- Potatoes
- Peppers
- Radishes
- Garlic
- Onions
- Basil
- Parsley
- Mint
- Coriander
- Dill
- Green onions
- Rosemary
You want to avoid growing vegetables with root systems that could grow too dense and compact the soil in the bucket.
Plants with deeper root systems like cucumbers and eggplants are fine, as long as the buckets are tall enough to accommodate them. Typically 12 to 14 inches is enough for these plants.
Choose vegetable varieties that grow smaller and bushier rather than tall and top-heavy varieties.
For example, if you want to plant tomatoes, choose a determinate variety like the Glacier and Patio tomatoes.
You want to know exactly how large your chosen varieties will grow before planting, so you can prepare support where necessary and ensure that they won’t outgrow your buckets.
Also, consider vertical planting to take advantage of your small growing space.
With a carefully chosen trellis or similar surface, you can grow vining plants like beans and squash that will substantially increase your garden’s productivity relative to the amount of space you have.
2. Choose Your Bucket
Not all buckets are created equal, at least where gardening is concerned.
Like vegetables, buckets can vary in their usefulness, and there are some important aspects you want to consider to make sure you select the right ones.
Food-grade and BPA-free: Some plastic buckets can leach harmful chemicals into soil, so make sure you are buying buckets made from food-grade and BPA-free plastics. BPA (bisphenol A) is a chemical found in some plastics that can cause health problems in humans.
Lightweight: You may have to move your buckets around during the season, depending on temperature changes and sun exposure. Opt for buckets that are lighter-weight and easier to transport around your house or property.
Color: Choose a lighter-colored plastic, particularly if you live in a warmer climate and will be gardening in summer. Dark colors suck up heat, which can overheat soil and overwhelm your plants.
New or Used: If you can afford it, I’d encourage you to purchase buckets brand new. But I understand that isn’t an option for everyone, so if you have to buy secondhand buckets make sure you know what they were used for first. Avoid containers that were used to store pesticides, herbicides, asphalt, and other toxic materials.
3. Choose Your Location
You don’t want to move your buckets too often, so choose a location that will receive reliable sun exposure and protection from the elements during bad weather.
If you are using multiple, make sure the buckets you plan to fill with large climbing plants are kept in the back to avoid blocking out sunlight to smaller plants.
For aesthetic purposes, many gardeners also place multiple buckets inside wooden planter boxes.
I don’t mind the bucket look personally, but it’s worth considering if you want to make your garden neater and more aesthetically pleasing.
4. Drill Holes for Drainage
For this step, you’re going to use a cordless drill with an ½ inch drillbit. Don’t forget eye protection!
Flip the bucket over so the bottom is facing upward, and carefully drill three to five holes in the surface. Make sure the holes are evenly distributed across the bottom.
These holes will be where the water drains from your plants.
Once you’ve drilled the holes, add a round of landscaping fabric or burlap to the bottom of the bucket. This will help prevent soil from falling out when you water your plants or move the buckets from one spot to another.
5. Elevate Your Buckets
This step isn’t essential, but I would recommend keeping your buckets elevated.
Container plants should have space to drain freely after you water them, which they won’t be able to do if the bucket is sitting directly on the ground.
A couple of bricks or lengths of thick wood should do nicely. You only need enough space to separate the bottom of the bucket from the soil.
6. Fill With Soil
Choosing the right soil for your bucket garden will depend on the season, the type of vegetables you want to plant, and the climate.
Regardless, potting soil is the best choice for container planting. Use a pre-mixed potting soil and compost blend from the store, or add your own home combination with compost, perlite, etc.
Consider a mix that includes slow-release fertilizer for best results.
Garden soil isn’t recommended as it is usually too dense and can be too acidic or alkaline; loose, well-draining, mildly acidic soil is best for container planting.
If you don’t have access to potting soil, you can use healthy garden soil combined with equal parts compost, perlite, and worm casting if you have them on hand.
When adding the soil, leave one inch of space between the topsoil and the rim of the bucket. Once you’re done, it’s time to get planting!
7. Add Your Plants and Supports
The most satisfying step is getting your herbs and vegetables in the ground.
Add your vegetable seedling to the center of the soil and make sure it is settled securely. Then add any extra supports, like stakes, cages, and trellises, that your plant may need as it grows.
5-gallon buckets are fairly spacious, so you may want to add some companion herbs around the edges of the bucket to maximize space and soil use.
8. Water (and Fertilize)
Now it’s time to water your plants thoroughly.
Remember that container plants require more water than a traditional garden since buckets will not fully retain water the way open soil will. Add enough to soak through to the roots and the bottom of the bucket.
Be careful not to overwater – if you’re unsure of when to rewater, use your fingers to check the top 2 inches of soil and make sure it is dry before watering.
While you may opt out of regular fertilizing, I strongly recommend it, especially for container plants which have less soil and thus less access to nutrients.
Even if you add fertilizer to the soil when planting, your plants will burn through those nutrients quickly. This is especially true if you’re growing heavy feeders like tomatoes, broccoli, peppers, etc.
Give your bucket garden the best shot at vigorous, healthy growth and production by regularly feeding your plants with a light organic fertilizer or compost tea.
Most container plants should be fed every 2-4 weeks, though heavy-feeding plants often perform best when fed every 1-2 weeks.
Check your fertilizer instructions, an online guide, or consult a professional at your local gardening store when you purchase your soil and fertilizer.
