Got a tight budget or limited space? No problem! With just a few 5-gallon buckets—often free or super cheap—you can grow an impressive mini garden right on your balcony, patio, or even driveway. These humble containers are surprisingly perfect for growing a wide range of delicious foods.
Whether you’re a newbie gardener or just short on space, these 12 crops love the cozy confines of a 5-gallon bucket. Let’s dig in!
1. Carrots
Yes, carrots can absolutely grow in buckets—as long as you pick the right variety! Go for shorter, stubbier types like Danvers, Parisian, or Thumbelina. Buckets let you control soil depth and quality, which is key for growing straight, tender roots.
Pro Tip: Use a loose, sandy potting mix and keep the soil moist (but not soggy).
2. Tomatoes
Tomatoes are the poster child for bucket gardening. They need room for roots and love warm soil, making a black 5-gallon bucket a perfect home.
Best Types: Determinate (bush) varieties like Bush Early Girl or Patio Princess.
Support Needed: Add a stake or small cage early on.
3. Peppers
From bell peppers to spicy jalapeños, these colorful crops thrive in buckets. They’re sun-lovers, so give them a sunny spot and water regularly.
Bucket Tip: Make sure drainage holes are drilled in the bottom. Peppers hate wet feet.
4. Cucumbers
Cucumbers love to sprawl, but give them a trellis or tomato cage and they’ll happily grow vertically in a bucket.
Best for Buckets: Bush varieties like Spacemaster or Bush Champion.
5. Green Onions
Super low maintenance and great for cut-and-come-again harvests, green onions are ideal for buckets. You can plant a bunch and keep snipping the tops for months.
Bonus: Regrow from kitchen scraps by planting the root ends of store-bought green onions.
6. Lettuce
Fast-growing and compact, lettuce is a perfect match for 5-gallon buckets. You can sow seeds directly or transplant starts.
Grow Tip: Mix different types—romaine, butterhead, and loose-leaf—for a colorful salad bowl harvest.
7. Potatoes
Potatoes love buckets! Start with 4–6 inches of soil, place your seed potatoes, and gradually add soil as the plants grow (this is called “hilling”).
Yield Tip: One bucket can yield 5–10 potatoes if done right!
8. Bush Beans
Bush beans don’t need trellising and are super productive in small spaces. Just sow the seeds directly into the bucket and let nature do its thing.
Note: Make sure your bucket gets full sun and you’ll be picking beans in no time.
9. Garlic
Plant garlic cloves in fall or early spring, and buckets give you the perfect drainage they need. The deep soil also helps form nice big bulbs.
Quick Tip: Stick with hardneck varieties if you’re in a cooler climate.
10. Basil
Basil practically begs to be grown in a bucket on your patio. It thrives in full sun and well-draining soil. Plus, you can pinch it back weekly for bushier growth and endless pesto.
Companion Bonus: Grow next to tomatoes—they’re best friends in the garden and the kitchen.
11. Spinach
Cool-season and quick to grow, spinach is great for spring and fall bucket harvests. Just keep it well-watered and out of the harsh summer heat.
Harvest Trick: Snip outer leaves first to keep the plant producing longer.
12. Zucchini
Yes, even zucchini can be grown in a bucket! Just make sure you give it plenty of sun, water, and a sturdy stake for support. Use dwarf or bush varieties for the best fit.
Bucket Tip: Don’t overcrowd—one plant per bucket is plenty.
Why Buckets Make Amazing Planters
Still not convinced? Here’s why 5-gallon buckets are a backyard gardener’s best friend:
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Cheap or free – Score them from bakeries, hardware stores, or restaurants.
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Portable – Move them to catch more sun or dodge a frost.
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Durable – Most buckets last for years with minimal care.
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Space-saving – Great for balconies, driveways, or tiny patios.
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Customizable – Drill your own drainage holes and decorate them however you like!
Final Tips for Bucket Gardening Success
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Drainage is key – Always drill holes in the bottom of your bucket to prevent root rot.
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Use high-quality potting mix – Not garden soil—it compacts and suffocates roots.
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Feed regularly – Most bucket-grown veggies need a boost every couple of weeks.
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Water often – Buckets dry out faster than in-ground gardens, especially in summer.
Start Small, Harvest Big
You don’t need fancy raised beds or expensive containers to grow your own food. With a few 5-gallon buckets and a sunny spot, you’re well on your way to harvesting fresh veggies, herbs, and even potatoes right at home.
Got a bucket and a bag of soil? You’re ready to garden.