Container gardening is an incredibly popular method for growing vegetables and fruits, especially for those with limited space, like apartment dwellers or city gardeners. One of the most convenient and effective containers you can use is a 5-gallon bucket. These buckets provide ample space for your plants to develop a robust root system, and they’re easy to move around, making them ideal for balconies, patios, or small gardens.
In this article, we’ll explore 20 of the best veggies and fruits that thrive in 5-gallon buckets, including their care needs, planting tips, and harvesting instructions. Whether you’re new to container gardening or you’re an experienced gardener looking to optimize your small-space gardening, this guide will help you get the most out of your 5-gallon bucket garden.
Why Choose 5-Gallon Buckets for Gardening?
Before we dive into the specific plants, let’s take a quick look at why 5-gallon buckets are a great choice for gardening:
- Ample Space: While smaller containers may not provide enough room for plant roots to spread, a 5-gallon bucket gives your plants enough space to grow.
- Portability: 5-gallon buckets are easy to move, allowing you to place plants in areas that get the right amount of sunlight, or move them indoors during bad weather.
- Affordable and Accessible: Buckets are inexpensive and easy to find, making them a budget-friendly choice for container gardening.
- Drainage: With the addition of a few drainage holes in the bottom, 5-gallon buckets provide excellent drainage for your plants, preventing waterlogged roots.
- Versatility: You can grow a variety of plants, from herbs and leafy greens to larger fruiting vegetables, all in 5-gallon buckets.
1. Tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum)
Why Tomatoes Thrive in Buckets: Tomatoes are one of the most popular plants to grow in containers because they don’t require a massive amount of space to produce a good harvest. A 5-gallon bucket provides enough space for a tomato plant to grow, especially dwarf or determinate varieties.
Planting Tips: Choose a determinate variety (which grows to a certain height) for limited space. Plant one tomato plant per bucket. Ensure the bucket is placed in a sunny spot, as tomatoes need at least 6-8 hours of sunlight per day.
Care: Use a support structure like a tomato cage to help keep the plant upright as it grows. Water consistently, especially during fruiting, but avoid letting the plant sit in standing water.
2. Peppers (Capsicum spp.)
Why Peppers Thrive in Buckets: Peppers are another vegetable that thrives in containers. Varieties like bell peppers, chili peppers, and hot peppers are all great options for growing in 5-gallon buckets, as they don’t need as much root space as other plants.
Planting Tips: Choose compact varieties, especially if you’re growing multiple plants. Place one plant per bucket, ensuring it receives plenty of sun.
Care: Keep the soil moist, but ensure the bucket has proper drainage. Fertilize with a balanced fertilizer to encourage fruit production.
3. Lettuce (Lactuca sativa)
Why Lettuce Thrives in Buckets: Lettuce and other leafy greens grow quickly and don’t require deep soil, making them ideal for 5-gallon buckets. Lettuce is a great choice for both beginners and experienced gardeners.
Planting Tips: You can grow multiple heads of lettuce in a 5-gallon bucket, as long as they are spaced a few inches apart. Mix in a quality potting mix to ensure good drainage and aeration.
Care: Lettuce prefers cool weather and regular watering. Avoid letting the soil dry out, and consider using a mulch to retain moisture.
4. Spinach (Spinacia oleracea)
Why Spinach Thrives in Buckets: Spinach, like lettuce, grows well in shallow containers. It’s a cool-season crop that doesn’t need a lot of space to produce a large yield, making it perfect for 5-gallon buckets.
Planting Tips: You can grow several spinach plants in a single 5-gallon bucket, as long as they’re spaced properly. Make sure your bucket has good drainage, as spinach doesn’t like to sit in waterlogged soil.
Care: Spinach needs consistent moisture and partial shade in hot climates. Harvest leaves regularly to encourage new growth.
5. Radishes (Raphanus sativus)
Why Radishes Thrive in Buckets: Radishes are fast-growing root vegetables that do not require deep soil, making them perfect for shallow containers like 5-gallon buckets. They also take up very little space.
Planting Tips: Plant radish seeds about 1 inch apart in a bucket. Radishes grow quickly, so they are a great option for a first-time gardener looking for a quick harvest.
Care: Radishes need full sun and regular watering. Keep the soil consistently moist to prevent the roots from becoming tough.
6. Carrots (Daucus carota)
Why Carrots Thrive in Buckets: While carrots do require a bit more depth for their long taproots, a 5-gallon bucket can still work for shorter or baby carrot varieties. They need at least 12 inches of soil depth, so ensure the bucket is deep enough.
Planting Tips: Space carrot seeds about 2 inches apart to give them room to grow. Thin seedlings once they begin sprouting to prevent overcrowding.
Care: Carrots need consistent moisture and well-draining soil. Water regularly, but avoid over-watering to prevent root rot.
7. Cucumbers (Cucumis sativus)
Why Cucumbers Thrive in Buckets: Cucumbers can be grown in 5-gallon buckets if you use a vertical growing system or trellis. They require plenty of sun and space to spread, but a 5-gallon bucket offers a good balance for compact varieties.
Planting Tips: Choose a bush cucumber variety or use a trellis to save space. Plant one cucumber plant per bucket and make sure it receives full sun.
Care: Cucumbers need plenty of water, especially during fruiting. Ensure the soil stays moist but well-drained, and watch for pests like cucumber beetles.
8. Strawberries (Fragaria × ananassa)
Why Strawberries Thrive in Buckets: Strawberries are ideal for container gardening. With a 5-gallon bucket, you can grow a small strawberry patch that’s easy to manage and harvest.
Planting Tips: Plant 3-4 strawberry plants in a 5-gallon bucket. Ensure the container has proper drainage and use a well-draining potting mix.
Care: Strawberries need full sun to produce fruit. Water regularly, and remove any dead or diseased leaves to keep the plants healthy.
9. Beans (Phaseolus vulgaris)
Why Beans Thrive in Buckets: Beans are perfect for container gardening as they don’t require much space. A 5-gallon bucket provides enough room for a couple of bean plants to grow and produce a good yield.
Planting Tips: Use a trellis for pole beans or opt for bush beans, which grow more compactly. Beans need a warm, sunny spot to grow.
Care: Beans need regular watering but prefer well-drained soil. Be cautious of over-watering, as this can lead to root rot.
10. Zucchini (Cucurbita pepo)
Why Zucchini Thrives in Buckets: While zucchini plants are typically sprawling, you can grow compact varieties or use a vertical growing system in a 5-gallon bucket. They thrive in warm weather and full sun.
Planting Tips: Plant one zucchini plant per bucket, and provide a vertical support if needed. Zucchini needs at least 6-8 hours of sunlight a day.
Care: Zucchini needs plenty of water to thrive. Ensure the bucket has good drainage, as zucchini is susceptible to root rot in waterlogged soil.
11. Kale (Brassica oleracea var. sabellica)
Why Kale Thrives in Buckets: Kale is a hardy leafy green that grows well in containers, including 5-gallon buckets. It thrives in cool weather and can be harvested continually.
Planting Tips: Plant 2-3 kale plants per bucket, spacing them a few inches apart to allow for ample growth.
Care: Kale requires regular watering and enjoys partial to full sun. It’s important to harvest leaves from the outside of the plant, leaving the center leaves to continue growing.
12. Broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica)
Why Broccoli Thrives in Buckets: While it needs a little more space, broccoli can do well in 5-gallon buckets, especially when grown from seedlings. A bucket provides enough room for the plant’s shallow roots and allows for the development of the broccoli heads.
Planting Tips: Start broccoli from seedlings, as they grow faster than seeds. Space each seedling about 12-18 inches apart to allow room for the plant to mature.
Care: Broccoli needs consistent watering and cool weather. Keep an eye out for pests like aphids and caterpillars.
13. Garlic (Allium sativum)
Why Garlic Thrives in Buckets: Garlic is perfect for container gardening as it doesn’t require deep soil. A 5-gallon bucket provides enough space for garlic to grow and mature.
Planting Tips: Plant individual garlic cloves
3-4 inches apart, pointy end up. Cover them with a few inches of soil and water regularly.
Care: Garlic needs full sun and well-drained soil. Ensure the bucket has good drainage, and water occasionally during the growing season.
14. Herbs (Basil, Mint, Thyme, Parsley, etc.)
Why Herbs Thrive in Buckets: Herbs are well-suited to container gardening, especially 5-gallon buckets, because they don’t require deep soil. You can grow a variety of herbs together in one bucket, or dedicate separate buckets to each herb.
Planting Tips: Choose a bucket for each type of herb, or mix a few that have similar growing needs. Ensure the container has drainage holes.
Care: Herbs need plenty of sunlight, so place them in a sunny spot. Water them regularly but avoid over-watering, as many herbs don’t like soggy soil.
15. Cantaloupe (Cucumis melo)
Why Cantaloupe Thrives in Buckets: Like cucumbers, cantaloupe vines are best grown with vertical support in a 5-gallon bucket. This allows you to grow this sweet melon in a compact space.
Planting Tips: Choose a compact or bush variety of cantaloupe. Plant one seedling per bucket and provide a trellis or other support.
Care: Cantaloupe needs plenty of water and full sun to produce fruit. Ensure the bucket has good drainage to prevent root rot.
16. Sweet Potatoes (Ipomoea batatas)
Why Sweet Potatoes Thrive in Buckets: Sweet potatoes are well-suited for container gardening, especially in a 5-gallon bucket. They grow as vines, and a bucket provides enough space for their roots to spread.
Planting Tips: Sweet potatoes need a long growing season. Plant slips (young plants) in well-draining soil, and ensure the bucket has adequate space for root development.
Care: Water regularly and ensure the plant gets at least 6 hours of sunlight daily. Harvest when the leaves start to yellow.
17. Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus)
Why Okra Thrives in Buckets: Okra is a warm-season vegetable that grows well in containers. It doesn’t need a deep bucket, but a 5-gallon bucket provides enough space for its roots and allows for good air circulation.
Planting Tips: Plant one okra seedling per bucket and ensure it has plenty of sunlight. Okra plants tend to grow tall, so place them in a spot with plenty of vertical space.
Care: Okra needs regular watering but well-drained soil. Keep an eye out for aphids and other pests.
18. Chard (Beta vulgaris)
Why Chard Thrives in Buckets: Chard is a leafy green that does well in containers, including 5-gallon buckets. It’s a cool-season crop that can be harvested multiple times.
Planting Tips: Plant 2-3 chard seedlings per bucket. Chard doesn’t require deep soil, so a 5-gallon bucket is a perfect size.
Care: Chard prefers full sun but can tolerate partial shade. Water regularly and harvest outer leaves to encourage new growth.
19. Mustard Greens (Brassica juncea)
Why Mustard Greens Thrive in Buckets: Mustard greens are easy to grow in 5-gallon buckets. They don’t need much space to grow and thrive in both cool and warm weather.
Planting Tips: Plant 2-3 mustard greens per bucket. Make sure the container has proper drainage and use well-draining soil.
Care: Mustard greens need regular watering and full sun for the best growth. Harvest leaves regularly to keep the plant productive.
20. Eggplant (Solanum melongena)
Why Eggplant Thrives in Buckets: Eggplants do well in containers, especially when grown in a 5-gallon bucket. Compact varieties work best in smaller spaces.
Planting Tips: Choose a compact eggplant variety for containers. Plant one eggplant per bucket and ensure the plant receives plenty of sunlight.
Care: Water regularly, and provide support for the plant as it grows. Eggplants benefit from a balanced fertilizer during the growing season.
Conclusion
Container gardening with 5-gallon buckets is a practical, space-saving solution for growing a wide variety of vegetables and fruits. Whether you’re growing tomatoes, peppers, herbs, or even fruiting plants like strawberries and cantaloupe, these buckets can accommodate your needs and help you enjoy a bountiful harvest. Happy gardening!
