Get Growing! Build Your Own 5-Gallon Bucket Garden

For those with limited backyard space, container gardening offers a versatile way to grow herbs, leafy greens, vegetables, and even small fruits. And one of the most widely available and affordable container options? The humble 5-gallon bucket!

Often available for free from hardware and big box stores, 5-gallon buckets make excellent raised garden beds. They're durable, reusable, provide adequate depth for plant roots to grow, and their portability means you can move them around to control sun exposure.

What To Grow In 5-Gallon Buckets

Many edible plants thrive planted in 5-gallon containers. Here's an overview of some top options:

Herbs

Classic culinary herbs like oregano, thyme, sage, rosemary, parsley, cilantro, dill, chives, mint and basil all grow well in bucket gardens. Choose dwarf or petite varieties if available.

Leafy Greens

Leaf lettuces, kale, spinach, arugula, Swiss chard and Asian greens can be grown in abundance with proper care and harvesting in 5-gallon buckets.

Vegetables

You'd be amazed how many vegetables produce a good harvest from just one 5-gallon container. Target compact, bush or patio/pot varieties when available. Tomatoes, peppers, bush beans, eggplants, peas, radishes, beets and green onions are all good options for bucket veg gardens.

Fruits

For fruits, most berry varieties grow nicely in buckets, like strawberries, dwarf blueberries, or patio raspberries. You can also grow compact/dwarf varieties of citrus fruits like Meyer lemons, limes, or calamondin orange trees.

Setting Up Your 5-Gallon Bucket Garden

With an understanding of what to plant, let's look at how to set up and install your 5-gallon bucket garden for success:

Selecting Bucket Location

Look for a sunny spot protected from heavy winds. South or west-facing locations are ideal. Patios, balconies, side yards and driveways typically work well and make the buckets convenient to access and tend to.

Consider the light needs of what you'll grow. Leafy greens and herbs thrive in part sun while veggies and fruits need 6-8 hours of direct sun daily.

Preparing The Buckets

Start by drilling 5-8 drainage holes in the bottom of the bucket with a power drill. Add a 2-3 inch layer of gravel at the bottom below the holes to aid drainage and prevent soil from leaching out.

For a vertical 5-gallon bucket garden, simply stack buckets atop each other once planted, drilling holes in all bottoms. Drainage is key!

The Right Soil Is Key

Quality potting soil specially blended for containers is a must. Avoid heavy garden soils that can easily become waterlogged.

Look for lightweight mixes containing peat moss, perlite, vermiculite and compost. These retain moisture but offer good drainage and air pockets for healthy roots.

Premixed potting soils with organic fertilizer and nutrients to feed plants for 2-3 months are very convenient options.

Planting Your Seedlings

When planting transplants or sowing seeds, follow spacing guidelines listed on seed packets or plant tags. As a rule of thumb for planting depth:

• Sow small seeds 1/4 inches deep
• Sow large seeds 1/2 inches deep
• Plant transplants at same soil level as in their nursery pot

Gently firm the soil after planting and water thoroughly to settle roots. Place seed tags in buckets to remember what's planted where.

Caring For Your 5-Gallon Garden

Ensuring your bucket garden thrives involves attentive but fairly simple care once set up properly.

Watering Bucket Plants

As container plants have less soil volume from which to draw moisture, they need frequent watering. Check soil daily by finger tip and water buckets when the top inch becomes dry.

Established plants may only need water every 2-3 days. Adjust as needed based on weather, plant types and sunlight exposure. Overwatering can be detrimental so don't soak the buckets!

Fertilizing

While quality potting mixes contain initial nutrients, container plants are heavy feeders and benefit from monthly feedings during active growth.

Use 1/2 strength liquid fertilizers like fish emulsion or all-purpose mixes formulated for vegetables and blooming plants. Follow label instructions for frequency and amounts.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Monitor your 5-gallon garden frequently for signs of problems. Leaf yellowing or drooping plants with stunted growth may indicate nutrient deficiencies.

This can be due to insufficient soil nutrition or pH imbalance. Test soil and amend accordingly. Leggy, spindly growth usually means plants need more sun.

Pest invasions from aphids, mites or cabbage worms can be handled with appropriate organic sprays like insecticidal soap or neem oil applications.

Overwintering Your Bucket Garden

At the end of the season, trim back plant debris and scoop out old soil. Clean buckets can be stored until next spring.

In frost-free zones, buckets can be kept actively growing year-round. Move containers to sheltered areas and protect/cover plants during cold snaps.

For colder climates, overwinter hearty veggies like carrots, onions and cold-tolerant greens. Or start anew each year with fresh plantings!

With some planning and attentive care, 5-gallon buckets offer tremendous flexibility for patio gardening in spaces large and small. Get growing this season in homegrown bounty!

Properly Maintaining A 5 Gallon Bucket Garden

Caring for plants in 5 gallon container gardens differs from in-ground gardening. By following best practices, your bucket plants will stay healthy and productive all season long:

Consistent Watering

Check bucket garden soil daily, watering when the top 1-2 inches become dry to the touch. Container plants need frequent hydration as soil can dry out quickly. Consider drip irrigation systems to automate watering.

Regular Feeding

Feed plants monthly with a balanced liquid fertilizer during the growing season so they get key macronutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (NPK). Alternate fertilizing with just water to prevent buildup.

Good Soil Quality

Replenish potting mix every 2 months by removing the top few inches of old soil and mixing in fresh mix. This prevents compaction and nutrient depletion over time.

Pest Monitoring

Check undersides of leaves frequently for signs of common garden pests like aphids, spider mites or cabbage worms. Treat organically with horticultural oils or insecticidal soaps at first sight.

The beauty of 5 gallon buckets is you can move them to optimize sunlight, especially important for fruiting vegetables. Rotate containers to a sunny spot if shade increases in initial location.