Are you looking for affordable, space-saving gardening solutions?
Look no further than the humble 5-gallon bucket!
These versatile containers can transform even the smallest spaces into productive gardens. Here are 10 innovative ways to put those buckets to work growing fresh food for your family.
1. Vertical Herb Tower
Short on space? Go vertical! Create a stacked herb garden by cutting holes in the sides of several buckets. Each opening becomes a planting pocket for different herbs like basil, mint, thyme, and rosemary.
Stack them on top of each other with the bottom bucket catching excess water. This space-saving design is perfect for apartment balconies or tiny yards while keeping fresh herbs at your fingertips.
Pro tip: Choose herbs with similar water needs for each tower, and position sun-loving varieties like basil and rosemary on the sides that get the most light.
2. Self-Watering Tomato Planter
Never worry about forgetting to water your tomatoes again!
Create a reservoir in the bottom of your bucket using a smaller container, which allows tomato plants to draw water as needed through a wicking system.
This setup is ideal for thirsty tomato plants and reduces watering frequency to once a week or less.
Pro tip: Add a water level indicator tube to the side of your bucket so you can easily see when the reservoir needs refilling.
REMOVE THE GUESSWORK FROM GARDENING!
These garden plans include 10 themed garden blueprints—complete with beneficial pairings, proper spacing & more!
3. Potato Bucket Garden
Growing potatoes has never been easier! Start by planting seed potatoes in just a few inches of soil at the bottom of your bucket. As the plants grow, keep adding more soil until you reach the top.
Come harvest time, simply dump out the bucket for easy collection—no digging required! One bucket can yield several pounds of fresh potatoes.
Pro tip: Drill drainage holes in the bottom and lower sides of the bucket to prevent waterlogged soil and rotting potatoes.
Get our complete Potatoes: A Sprout to Supper Guide!
4. Strawberry Bucket
Maximize your strawberry harvest by creating a planter that grows berries both on top and around the sides. Drill 2-inch holes around the bucket in a spiral pattern, then plant strawberries in each opening as well as on top.
This method provides excellent air circulation, helping prevent fungal issues while producing more berries in a compact space.
Pro tip: Rotate your bucket regularly to ensure all plants receive adequate sunlight.
5. Mobile Salad Garden
Put your garden on wheels!
Attach casters to the bottom of 5-gallon buckets to create movable gardens that can follow the sun or be easily relocated. This is perfect for growing lettuce, spinach, and other salad greens that might need protection from harsh afternoon sun or unexpected frost.
Pro tip: Keep your mobile garden near the kitchen door for easy harvesting right before meals.
6. Companion Planting Bucket
Harness the power of companion planting by growing complementary vegetables together in a single bucket.
The classic “Three Sisters” method works well here—plant corn in the center, beans that can climb the corn stalks, and squash around the base to shade the soil and prevent weeds.
Pro tip: Research compatible plant combinations to maximize growth and naturally deter pests.
7. Rain Barrel Irrigation System
Connect multiple bucket gardens to a rain barrel for efficient, free watering. Set up a simple gravity-fed drip irrigation system using tubing from your rain barrel to each planting bucket.
This sustainable approach saves water, time, and money while ensuring your plants receive consistent moisture.
Pro tip: Install a mesh screen on your rain barrel to filter out debris and prevent mosquito breeding.
8. Worm Composting Bucket
Create your own nutrient-rich garden soil with a vermicomposting system.
Drill air holes in the lid and drainage holes in the bottom of a bucket, add bedding material, food scraps, and red wiggler worms. In a few months, you’ll have premium compost for your other bucket gardens.
Pro tip: Place a second bucket underneath to catch the “worm tea”—a potent liquid fertilizer that can be diluted and used to feed your other plants.
Why 5-Gallon Buckets Make Great Gardening Containers
These containers offer several advantages:
- They’re affordable and often available for free
- The size is perfect for most vegetables
- They’re portable and can be moved as needed
- They provide excellent drainage when properly prepared
With these creative ideas, you can build a productive garden regardless of how much (or how little) space you have. Start with one project and expand as your confidence grows!
