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Growing good in buckets many advantages. You can control the growing environment, avoiding the pesticides found on most produce. You can lower your grocery bill, especially with how expensive food as gotten. Plus, you can’t beat the taste and satisfaction of eating home-grown food.
Whether you’re new at growing your own food or not, you may be surprised to know that it doesn’t have to be a seasonal interest. You can grow many foods indoors all year round. And you don’t need lots of space or special equipment either.
In addition to your starter plants or seeds, you’ll need food-grade buckets (adding drainage holes as required), drainage trays, potting soil, and a sunny location or some grow lights.
When it comes to watering indoor veggies, less is more. With your plants not having the heat of direct sunlight to contend with, there is more of a danger of over-watering than under-watering. Still, be sure to check the moisture level of the soil on a regular basis.
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What are some of your best bets for growing food indoors in buckets or other containers? This article lists the 15 best foods for indoor bucket gardening.
Beets
Beets are a great choice for indoor gardening thanks to their small space requirements. They have a compact root system that fits well inside a bucket, but it needs to be a deep bucket as the roots will reach down at least 10 inches.
Beets need cool temperatures and 6-8 hours of sunlight a day, so you’ll need to put them in front of a sunny window or get some grow lights. Choose compact varieties like ‘Detroit Dark Red’ and ‘Babybeat’ which have shorter root systems ideal for containers.
Here’s how to grow beets in buckets.
Bush Beans
Bush beans do well in buckets and other containers thanks to their small root system. You can grow them very close together and get a substantial yield from just one bucket. They also have a fast growth cycle, so you can get multiple harvests throughout the year.
You’ll want to make sure they have well-draining soil and at least 6 hours of light per day, so be sure they’re under a grow light or in front of a sunny window. Some of the best varieties for indoor or container gardening include Topcrop, Provider, and Contender.
Here’s how to grow bush beans in buckets.
Carrots
Carrots thrive in deep containers like five-gallon buckets since they need plenty of space for root development. Like most vegetables, they need about 6-8 hours of sunlight, so keep them in front of a sunny window or under grow lights with a timer.
Be sure to use well-draining soil and keep the soil moist without overwatering. When you plant them, make sure there’s plenty of space between the seeds, and thin the seedlings if necessary as they need space to grow large. Some varieties that do particularly well indoors include Parisian, Little Finger, and Nantes.
Here’s how to grow carrots in buckets.
Eggplant
Eggplants do great in buckets as long as you choose compact varieties such as Fairy Tale, Hansel, and Patio Baby. Eggplants need a bucket that’s at least 12 inches wide, which is about the width of a typical five-gallon bucket.
Eggplants need at least 6 hours of sunlight a day, so be sure you have a sunny window or grow lights. They also need consistent moisture and occasional fertilizer. It’s a good idea to use small stakes or tomato cages to keep them upright as they grow fruit, which can be a bit heavy for the branches. Choose compact varieties like ‘Fairy Tale’, ‘Hansel’, and ‘Patio Baby’ for successful bucket gardening.
Here’s how to grow eggplant in buckets.
Garlic
Garlic is perfect for bucket gardening because it has a compact root system that thrives well in the deep space of a bucket. Garlic also needs at least six hours of direct light every day, so sunny windows or grow lights are a must.
Garlic has a very long growing season, so you’ll have to be patient, but it’s worth the wait. Not only is it a useful ingredient, it also has antibacterial properties. Hardneck varieties such as ‘Music’ and ‘German Extra Hardy’ are best because you can harvest the scapes, which are delicious.
Here’s how to grow garlic in buckets.
Green Onions
Green onions are very easy to grow. They don’t need a lot of space, and they only need 4-5 hours of sunlight per day. They do especially well in containers, but be sure to use well-draining soil. Also, you can use smaller buckets if necessary as they roots only go down 6-8 inches or so.
After you harvest and use one, you can take the leftover roots, place them in water, and the green onion will regrow and can be harvested again. By doing this, you can get several harvests from just one plant. Varieties like ‘Evergreen Hardy White’ and ‘Tokyo Long White’ are ideal since they need very little space.
Here’s how to grow green onions in buckets.
Kale
Kale is ideal for indoor gardening. It’s a hardy plant that thrives in cooler temperatures, making it easy to care for indoors. However, it needs about 6-8 hours of sunlight per day, so you’ll need a sunny window or grow lights.
The great thing about kale is you can harvest leaves and they’ll keep growing back, providing you with a steady supply of nutritious leaves. Choose compact varieties such as ‘Lacinato’, ‘Red Russian’, or ‘Dwarf Blue Curled’. Keep the soil nice and moist without overwatering, and occasionally fertilize the plant for healthier growth.
Here’s how to grow kale in buckets.
Lettuce
Lettuce is great for indoor gardening thanks to its shallow root system, so you don’t need a deep bucket, but make sure it’s at least 6 inches wide and preferably larger. Be sure to choose loose-leaf varieties as they mature quickly and can be harvested continuously.
Lettuce needs about six-hours of sunlight per day so be sure they’re in a sunny window or under a grow light. Keep the soil most but not water logged, and try to keep your home’s temperature 70°F or below so it doesn’t bolt (go to seed), which makes the leaves bitter.
Choose loose-leaf varieties like ‘Salad Bowl’ and ‘Lollo Rossa’ for bucket gardening as they mature quickly and can be harvested continuously.
Here’s how to grow lettuce in buckets.
Peppers
Peppers are a great choice for bucket gardening. They thrive in controlled environments where you can manage soil moisture. They need plenty of light, ideally six to eight hours a day, which means you’ll probably need grow lights.
Certain compact varieties of peppers such as ‘Jalapeño’, ‘Baby Belle’, and ‘Cherry Bomb’, are particularly suited to bucket gardening. For more variety, go ahead and grow two or three types in one bucket.
Here’s how to grow peppers in buckets.
Potatoes
Potatoes are another excellent choice for indoor growing. A five-gallon bucket can yield several pounds of potatoes. If you need more to feed your family, you can add more buckets or try larger buckets.
Make sure the buckets have enough drainage holes and that you don’t overwater them or your potatoes could rot. You can harvest them once the foliage starts dying back. Varieties such as ‘Yukon Gold’ and ‘Red Pontiac’ can be successfully grown in buckets due to their adaptability to container environments.
Here’s how to grow potatoes in buckets.
Radishes
Radishes are ideal for bucket gardening because they have shallow roots and mature quickly. They thrive in five-gallon buckets with good drainage and can be sown directly into the soil. Radishes prefer cooler temperatures but require 4-6 hours of sunlight daily, so place them near a sunny window or under grow lights.
For best results, use loose, well-draining soil and plant seeds about an inch apart. Keep the soil moist but not waterlogged. You can harvest them as soon as they reach a good size. Varieties like ‘Cherry Belle’ and ‘French Breakfast’ are excellent choices for bucket gardening.
Here’s how to grow radishes in buckets.
Spinach
Spinach is a versatile leafy green that grows well in buckets, especially in cool temperatures, so they’re great if you like keeping your home cold. They need a bucket at least 6-8 inches deep about 4-6 hours of sunlight per day.
Plant the seeds about a half-inch deep and a few inches apart. Keep the soil moist, especially as spinach can bolt (flower and go to seed) if it dries out or if temperatures are too warm. Harvest leaves from the outside, allowing the plant to continue producing new growth from the center. ‘Baby’s Leaf’ and ‘Bloomsdale Long Standing’ are great varieties for buckets.
Here’s how to grow spinach in buckets.
Strawberries
Strawberries are a great addition to any indoor garden and grow very well in buckets. Choose a sunny spot as strawberries need about 6-8 hours of sunlight daily. Make sure the bucket has ample drainage and fill it with loamy, well-draining soil.
Plant strawberry runners or crowns, ensuring the roots are well covered but the crown remains above the soil. Water them regularly to keep the soil moist, and feed them with a balanced fertilizer every few weeks to encourage fruiting. Consider varieties like ‘Sequoia’ or ‘Albion’ for their adaptability to container living and sweet, bountiful harvests.
Here’s how to grow strawberries in buckets.
Swiss Chard
Swiss chard is a hardy vegetable that does great in buckets. It needs a bucket at least 10 inches deep, and it does best in cool temperatures with 4-6 hours of sunlight a day. Use well-draining soil and space seeds or seedlings about 6 inches apart.
Water it consistently to keep the soil moist, and apply a balanced fertilizer every month to encourage growth. Swiss chard can be harvested by cutting outer leaves, allowing the center leaves to continue growing. Varieties like ‘Bright Lights’ and ‘Fordhook Giant’ add both color and robust flavor to your indoor garden.
Here’s how to grow Swiss chard in buckets.
Tomatoes
Tomatoes like things hot and sunny. So, if you provide them with a warm spot near a sunny south-facing window, you can have tomatoes all year long.
Smaller tomato varieties tend to grow better indoors. The time between planting and harvesting varies depending on the types you plan. Most are ready to harvest in a range between 55 and 85 days. Smaller varieties such as ‘Tiny Tim’, ‘Patio Princess’, and ‘Balcony’ are ideal for growing in buckets.
Here’s how to grow tomatoes in buckets.
Problems to Avoid When Growing Plants Inside
If you’re used to growing food outdoors and dealing with the whims of Mother Nature, you may think indoor gardening is trouble-free. You’d be wrong. Indoor gardeners must deal with some of the same variables as outdoor gardeners.
Here is a run-down of some of the common problems associated with growing food indoors and what to do about them.
Lack of Sunlight
Insufficient light is the number one problem indoor gardeners face. While you may be able to treat some of your container plants to sunshine from a south-facing window, most of us will have to supplement with artificial lighting. Many options are available, from special fixtures to installing different bulbs to the lighting fixtures you already have.
Temperature
Many fruiting and vining summer vegetables prefer temperatures of around 65 degrees at night and 80 degrees during. If you’re germinating seeds, it will go a lot faster if the temperature is closer to 80 degrees.
Since your indoor temps may fall out of that range, you may want to experiment with heat pads and grow lights to offer plants like tomatoes and peppers the warmth they need.
Dry Air
Heated and air-conditioned air can play havoc with indoor plants. Low humidity can show plant growth and makes it harder for your plants to absorb the water they need from the soil.
A solution is to use a mister on your plants or run a humidifier near your indoor garden.
Pests and Diseases
You won’t escape pests and diseases by growing your food inside. Just like with your outdoor plants, fungi, bacteria, viruses, and insects can invade your indoor food.
Aphids and whiteflies can be troublesome as well.
Inspecting your plants regularly can head off many troubles. And here are some tips to help prevent pest problems from happening in the first place.
Lack of Pollination
Without insects or the wind to transport pollen to different flowers, indoor vegetables will produce few or even no fruit. What can you do?
You can gently shake your self-pollinating plants to distribute the pollen. Or you can use a small paintbrush or a cotton swab to hand-pollinate flowers that rely on insects. Here’s how.
Too Much or Too Little Water
Overwatering and underwatering can stress plants, causing all kinds of problems from brown leaves to rotting roots. Test the soil for dryness before watering, and make sure your containers have adequate drainage.
Overcrowding
Another issue that can arise with indoor gardening comes from placing containers where they can get knocked over or otherwise harmed by pets, children, furniture, or even the vacuum cleaner.
Overturned pots and damaged plants can result in delayed or diminished harvests. If you have a crowded household, consider placing your containers in a less-trafficked area of your home or shielding them from foot traffic with a baby gate or room divider.
For more on year-round indoor vegetable gardening, here are a few additional resources:
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