Kale planting in vegetable plot
Kale will taste sweeter after undergoing a period of frost. Many people suggest planting it 3-6 weeks before the last frost. Although you won’t be able to fit a lot of kale in a 5-gallon bucket, it’s still plenty. If you have more than a few buckets lying around, that would be ideal.
7 – Potatoes
Sharpes Express spring early potatoes can be growing as early as March, if planted in a container within a greenhouse.
Potatoes can be planted in buckets easily and they’ll grow fairly well. You can grow up to 2-3 pounds of potatoes in a regular 5-gallon bucket! It’s simple and takes up very little space in the garden or anywhere for that matter.
6 – Broccoli
Broccoli cut
Yes, even bad old broccoli can be grown in a 5-gallon bucket. Just make sure the soil is adequately deep and keep the bucket in an area that receives plenty of sun. Plant it 5-7 weeks before the last frost date and harvest around late fall.
Enjoy your broccoli then I guess…
5 – Bok Choy
Bok Choy
This peppery-flavored, cool-weather green can be grown in a bucket effectively. Because it needs a lot of water, the 5-gallon bucket ensures adequate soil and moisture can be held inside and plants will be well hydrated.
4 – Eggplant
Eggplant
With high quality, well-draining potting soil and frequent use of a balanced fertilizer, you can grow eggplants in a 5-gallon bucket fairly easily.
Start seeds 8-10 weeks before the last frost date and ensure there’s no risk of frost as it can definitely damage the plant.
3 – Squash
Squash
Although it will be a little difficult to fit large quantities of squash in a 5-gallon bucket once they’re fully grown, you can still do it very effectively. I mean…I grew tons of butternut squash in my empty 5-gallon buckets, so it’s definitely possible.
When the temperature warms up adequately and the last frost date is past, only then consider sowing squash seeds.
2 – Cucumbers
Cucumbers
We all love some juicy cucumbers, don’t we?
Well, good for us they can be planted in empty 5-gallon buckets easily. You can fit up to 3 cucumber plants in a bucket of that size! Once the risk of frost passes, you’re free to plant cucumbers whenever you want; that can be 2-4 weeks before the last frost date or right after it.
1 – Mustard Greens
Mustard Greens
People who don’t know about mustard greens are always quick to think it’s some kind of a plant that pours out mustard. Yeah…that’s not the case.
It’s a leafy green that has leaves similar to cabbage, except they’re a little peppery and bitter. You can grow them easily from seeds in a 5-gallon bucket by planting them around mid-spring and letting them thrive in slightly cooler conditions.
Final Words
carrots on a bucket
Compact gardening done in buckets is simple, cheap, and sustainable. Many gardeners consider bucket planting a limitation or some kind of “discourtesy” to plants but, in reality, it’s just efficiency.
Pick up your empty buckets, select the right vegetables, and begin compact gardening today!
