Hands in the Dirt: Bucket Gardening

Article and photo by Donna Iverson 

There is a lot to be said for bucket gardening.
It’s cheap. It’s funky. It doesn’t take up much space. It eliminates weeding. Kids love it. And it can be moved around when needed.
For example, the buckets could be put in the shade in the spring and early summer for growing lettuce. And then moved to a sunny area to grow tomatoes when the weather heats up.

If you are new to container gardening, you can start out small. A neighbor grows a single tomato plant on his deck in the summer every year.  
Free 5-gallon buckets can often be gotten from local restaurants. But be wary of buckets that may have previously contained toxic substances. To be extra safe, purchase inexpensive buckets at most hardware and big box stores. Wherever you get them, wash them out with soap and water before planting.

The most difficult part of bucket gardening is preparing the buckets.  They need holes in the bottom to allow water to drain.  For this you will need a drill and knowledge of how to use one. If you don’t know how to use a drill, enlist the help of a friend or relative who does.
The bucket will need about a dozen small holes in the bottom and around the bottom edge. For more detailed instruction, check out
https://www.ehow.com/how_5724150_put-holes-plastic-bucket.html
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Next, fill the bucket with potting soil, which can be purchased or made yourself. Making your own potting soil can be challenging and there are dozens of contradictory instructions on the web for how to do it.  
One big disagreement is whether or not to use peat moss. Environmentalists oppose the harvesting of peat moss as it degrades habitat and contributes to global warming.  England has banned the collection of peat moss beginning next year.
One gardener with relevant discussion and instruction for homemade potting can be found  at:  https://www.theprairiehomestead.com/2015/04/homemade-potting-soil-recipe.html 

During the summer months, you will need to keep your buckets watered and add a slow release fertilizer for food.
Plants that tolerate growing in buckets include tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, onions, lettuce, carrots and herbs. Throw in a few marigolds to keep the bad bugs at bay.