Container gardening in 5‑gallon buckets offers an affordable, space‑efficient, and surprisingly productive way to grow a variety of edibles—even if you lack a traditional garden plot. These sturdy, portable containers can be sourced for a few dollars each, reused season after season, and customized to provide drainage, aeration, and fertility. Whether you’re gardening on a patio, balcony, rooftop, or small backyard, 5‑gallon buckets give you the flexibility to cultivate fresh produce with minimal investment. Below, discover 18 foods—from leafy greens to root vegetables to fruiting crops—that truly flourish in these humble vessels, along with detailed guidance on soil mixes, planting densities, watering, fertilizing, and harvest tips to ensure bountiful yields.
1. Leaf Lettuce
Why it works: Leaf lettuce (Lactuca sativa) demands shallow soil, consistent moisture, and cool temperatures—ideal conditions that 5‑gallon buckets easily provide.
Bucket setup: Drill 4–6 drainage holes in the bottom. Use a loose, well‑draining potting mix amended with compost.
Planting: Sow 6–8 seeds evenly across the surface or transplant seedlings spaced 4 inches apart.
Care: Keep soil evenly moist; water once daily in hot weather. Provide partial shade in midsummer to prevent bolting.
Harvest: Snip outer leaves when they reach 4–6 inches tall (“cut‑and‑come‑again”). Expect continuous harvest for 4–6 weeks.
Tips: Successive sow every 2–3 weeks for season‑long supply. Mix multiple lettuce varieties for varied textures and colors.
2. Radishes
Why it works: Radishes (Raphanus sativus) mature in as little as 30 days and require only 6–8 inches of soil depth.
Bucket setup: Use the same soil mix as for lettuce, enriched with a handful of balanced granular fertilizer.
Planting: Sow 10–12 seeds per bucket, spaced 1 inch apart, ½ inch deep. Cover lightly with soil.
Care: Keep soil moist but not waterlogged. Thin seedlings to 2-inch spacing once they reach 2 inches tall to allow root development.
Harvest: Pull radishes when roots are golf‑ball sized. Harvest quickly—left too long they become pithy.
Tips: Succession plant every 2‑3 weeks for continuous harvest. Quick harvest frees space for a second crop like lettuce.
3. Spinach
Why it works: Spinach (Spinacia oleracea) thrives in cool, moist conditions and produces abundant leaves in shallow containers.
Bucket setup: Prepare a light, nutrient‑rich mix with extra compost for steady growth.
Planting: Sow 12–15 seeds per bucket, ½ inch deep. Thin to 4‑6 inches once seedlings emerge.
Care: Water consistently to prevent bolting. Apply a side‑dress of compost tea or balanced liquid fertilizer every 3 weeks.
Harvest: Harvest outer leaves individually when they’re 3–4 inches long, allowing the center rosette to continue producing.
Tips: Rotate buckets to avoid excessive sun in summer—spinach bolts at temperatures above 75°F (24°C). Consider shade cloth for mid‑summer.
4. Kale
Why it works: Kale (Brassica oleracea) is hardy, productive, and thrives in deeper buckets with stable moisture.
Bucket setup: Use deeper buckets (12–15 inches of soil) with a rich mix of compost and potting soil.
Planting: Transplant 2–3 kale seedlings per bucket, spacing them evenly around the container.
Care: Water deeply twice weekly; mulch the surface to conserve moisture. Side‑dress with compost or apply fish emulsion monthly.
Harvest: Pick leaves from the bottom up once they’re 6–8 inches long. Kale regrows allowing multiple harvests over months.
Tips: Black‑ or Russian‑type kales bolt less than curly. Also, kale often overwinters in milder climates, yielding spring greens.
5. Cherry Tomatoes
Why it works: Determinate or compact indeterminate cherry tomato varieties love the warmth and drainage of a 5‑gallon bucket.
Bucket setup: Fill with a premium potting mix plus 1 cup each of compost and slow‑release granular fertilizer.
Planting: Transplant one sturdy tomato seedling per bucket to avoid crowding. Bury stem deep to promote root growth.
Care: Stake or cage each plant in the bucket. Water deeply when top 2 inches of soil dry. Apply liquid tomato feed every 2 weeks.
Harvest: Pick cherries as they ripen, usually 60–70 days after transplant. Expect heavy harvest over several weeks.
Tips: Pinch off suckers on indeterminate vines for better air flow and fruit size. Rotate buckets to distribute sun evenly.
6. Peppers
Why it works: Bell and hot peppers (Capsicum spp.) adapt well to container life and produce abundantly in 5‑gallon buckets.
Bucket setup: Use potting mix amended with compost and 1 tablespoon of bone meal for phosphorus.
Planting: Transplant one pepper seedling per bucket. Space centrally for equal light exposure.
Care: Water daily in hot weather; peppers prefer evenly moist soil. Fertilize with high‑potassium feed once flowering begins.
Harvest: Harvest peppers when they reach desired size and color—mature green, red, yellow, or purple depending on variety.
Tips: Provide afternoon shade in very hot climates to reduce blossom drop. Mulch to maintain cool root temperatures.
7. Basil and Other Herbs
Why it works: Many culinary herbs have shallow roots and thrive in small containers, making 5‑gallon buckets ideal.
Bucket setup: Fill with a mix of potting soil and perlite (2:1) for drainage.
Planting: Sow seeds thinly or transplant multiple herb seedlings (basil, parsley, cilantro, mint) per bucket.
Care: Pinch back regularly to encourage bushy growth. Water when top inch of soil is dry. Fertilize lightly with balanced liquid fertilizer monthly.
Harvest: Snip leaves as needed—harvest frequently for continuous growth.
Tips: Avoid overwatering moisture‑loving herbs like basil; allow brief drying between waterings to prevent root rot.
8. Carrots
Why it works: Small or “baby” carrot varieties only need 8–10 inches of soil depth and perform well in deep buckets.
Bucket setup: Use sandy‑loam or a mix of potting soil and sand for loose texture.
Planting: Sow 20–30 seeds in a row or circle along the bucket’s center, thin to 1–2 inches after germination.
Care: Keep soil moist; carrots germinate slowly (14–21 days). Mulch lightly to reduce crusting.
Harvest: Pull when roots reach ½–¾ inch diameter (baby carrots) or full size (larger varieties) in 60–80 days.
Tips: Choose small varieties like ‘Thumbelina’ or ‘Parisian’ for best results in containers.
9. Beets
Why it works: Beets (Beta vulgaris) are dual‑purpose: you harvest roots and leafy greens. They need moderate depth (10–12 inches).
Bucket setup: Enrich a potting mix with compost and balanced fertilizer.
Planting: Sow 8–10 seeds per bucket, thin to 3–4 inches for best root development.
Care: Keep evenly moist; side‑dress liquid seaweed or fish emulsion at leaf stage.
Harvest: Harvest roots at 1–2 inch diameter; pick greens regularly for salads or sauté.
Tips: Beets tolerate partial shade—place buckets in morning sun, afternoon shade in hot regions.
10. Green Onions / Scallions
Why it works: Green onions (Allium fistulosum) have shallow roots and a quick turnover, perfect for small containers.
Bucket setup: Use a standard potting mix with added compost.
Planting: Sow seeds ½ inch deep, 1 inch apart in a grid, then thin to 2–3 inches.
Care: Water regularly; keep soil moist. Light fertilization with fish emulsion enhances flavor.
Harvest: Snip outer stalks at 4–6 inches tall; regrow multiple harvests from the same plants.
Tips: Intersperse with other quick crops like lettuce or radishes for efficient space use.
11. Strawberries
Why it works: Alpine and June‑bearing strawberry varieties do well in deep buckets that drain well.
Bucket setup: Use a berry potting mix rich in compost and aged manure.
Planting: Transplant 3–5 strawberry plants per 5‑gallon bucket, spacing evenly along the edges.
Care: Water daily in fruiting stage; mulch with straw to keep fruit clean and reduce rot.
Harvest: Pick sweet berries when fully red; June‑bearers fruit once, everbearers fruit repeatedly.
Tips: Provide afternoon shade in hot climates. Feed with strawberry‑specific or balanced fertilizer.
12. Bush Beans
Why it works: Bush beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) are compact, produce heavily, and fix nitrogen, improving soil fertility.
Bucket setup: Prepare a mix of potting soil and compost (2:1).
Planting: Sow 6–8 seeds per bucket, 1 inch deep, thin to 3‑4 inches after germination.
Care: Keep soil moist but not waterlogged. Beans require moderate fertility—avoid overfertilizing nitrogen.
Harvest: Pick pods when 4–6 inches long and beans inside are small and tender. Frequent picking prolongs production.
Tips: Provide support (small stakes) if pods drag the plant down; interplant with corn or cucumbers in larger containers.
13. Peas
Why it works: Dwarf bush pea varieties fit well in buckets and produce quickly in cooler weather.
Bucket setup: Enrich soil with compost; peas appreciate slightly alkaline pH.
Planting: Sow 8–10 seeds per bucket, 1–2 inches deep.
Care: Water gently to avoid disturbing roots; add a small trellis or netting for varieties that vine.
Harvest: Pick pods at full size when beans inside fill out but before they bulge. Frequent harvesting encourages more pods.
Tips: Peas prefer early spring or fall planting; avoid midsummer heat.
14. Dwarf Zucchini / Summer Squash
Why it works: Dwarf zucchini (e.g., ‘Patio Star’) produce full‑size fruit on bushy plants that suit buckets.
Bucket setup: Use 5 gal of rich, well-draining mix with 2 cups compost.
Planting: Transplant 1 seedling per bucket after last frost.
Care: Water deeply, mulch to retain moisture, and feed with compost tea every 2 weeks.
Harvest: Pick zucchini at 6–8 inches long for best flavor and continual fruiting.
Tips: Pinch off male flowers early to direct energy into female blossoms for fruit set.
15. Bush Cucumbers
Why it works: Compact cucumber varieties thrive in buckets with proper support and moisture.
Bucket setup: Fill with potting soil and compost, plus a handful of balanced granular fertilizer.
Planting: Transplant one cucumber seedling per bucket. Add 2 stakes for a small trellis.
Care: Keep soil evenly moist; mulch heavily. Side‑dress with calcium (eggshells) to prevent blossom end rot.
Harvest: Pick cucumbers when 6–8 inches, every 2–3 days. Overripe fruit harms the plant’s continued production.
Tips: Remove lower leaves to improve air flow and reduce disease.
16. Garlic
Why it works: Garlic cloves require minimal depth (4–6 inches) and enjoy the drainage of containers.
Bucket setup: Use loose soil with a cup of compost per bucket.
Planting: In autumn, plant 6–8 garlic cloves pointy end up, 2 inches deep, 4 inches apart.
Care: Water throughout winter and spring, stop as scapes appear.
Harvest: In early summer, when leaves yellow, dig bulbs, cure in shade for 2 weeks.
Tips: Mulch heavily over winter to protect cloves from freeze‑thaw cycles.
17. Potatoes (Small Varieties)
Why it works: Fingerling or “new” potato varieties flourish in buckets with successive hilling.
Bucket setup: Fill bottom 6 inches with soil, plant seed potatoes, then top up with soil as shoots grow.
Planting: Use 2–3 seed potatoes per bucket.
Care: Keep moist; hill soil up to leaves twice during growth.
Harvest: Dig when foliage dies back; unearth by dumping bucket contents.
Tips: Use black buckets for heat absorption in cooler climates, white for hot regions.
18. Microgreens
Why it works: Microgreens (radish, kale, mustard) require minimal soil and short growth cycles (7–14 days).
Bucket setup: Fill bucket with a 1–2 inch layer of seed‑starting mix or coconut coir.
Planting: Broadcast seeds densely, mist to moisten.
Care: Keep covered for 2–3 days, then expose to light; mist daily.
Harvest: Snip at soil level once first true leaves form.
Tips: Succession crop every 2 weeks for continuous harvest. Use trays that fit inside bucket for easier handling.
Final Thoughts
Growing edibles in cheap 5‑gallon buckets transforms small spaces into productive gardens. By selecting the right crops, preparing the soil properly, and following site‑specific care guidelines, you can harvest fresh, homegrown produce all season long—with virtually no cost beyond the initial bucket purchase. Experiment with different varieties, mixing quick‑turn crops like microgreens and radishes with longer‑season growers like tomatoes and potatoes. Rotate buckets, refresh soil annually, and enjoy the satisfaction of plucking ripe vegetables moments after stepping outside your door. Container gardening in buckets is sustainable, scalable, and—best of all—deliciously rewarding.
