Grow Bucket Gardens
Grow bucket gardens are an awesome option for growing produce in a low maintenance and compact way. Floating Tree is excited to get more grow buckets equipped with soil + seeds out into the community! As this program develops, we will have more resources available here so your grow bucket garden can thrive!
Build your own grow bucket!
Spencer shows you how to build a grow bucket and details all of the needed materials.
How to Use a Grow Bucket
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Make sure your bucket components are assembled as shown on the diagram
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Empty the soil bag into the soil and plant reservoir
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Plant your plant starter or seeds (per packet instructions) into the soil
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Put bucket in the sunniest available spot (can be inside or outside)
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Add water:
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For plant starters, pour water into watering pipe until water begins to leak out of drainage hole
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For seeds, add water directly onto soil daily until seeds sprout. Then, follow plant starter watering directions (5a)
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Maintain water levels by adding water 1-2 times per week (depending on temperature and amount of direct sunlight)
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Harvest produce once ripe!
Frequently Asked Questions
Tomatoes:
How do I plant tomatoes?
1 tomato plant per grow bucket is ideal. Plant from seed or transplant in April or May. Bury multiple seeds several inches deep and keep soil moist until germination.
How much sun do tomato plants need?
6-8 hours of direct sunlight is ideal.
Do the plants need support?
Yes! Tomatoes are normally supported with stakes or cages. Use something 3-5 feet tall than can support the weight of a maturing tomato plant.
How often should I add water into the bucket?
Add water to the bucket when you first plant the seeds and add water 1-2 times per week depending on how quickly water levels drop. You can check the water level by looking in the watering pipe.
How long will it take?
It takes about 2-3 months for the tomatoes to be ready to harvest from when you plant your seeds.
Can I plant anything else with the tomato plant?
Yes! Herbs including basil, thyme, and cilantro grow well with tomatoes. Marigolds also do well with tomatoes.
Peppers:
How do I plant peppers?
You can plant 1 pepper plant per grow bucket. Bury 4 seeds about 1/2 inch deep. Plant peppers in February or March and keep indoors until they sprout (1-2 weeks).
How much sun do pepper plants need?
6-8 hours of direct sunlight is ideal.
How often should I add water into the bucket?
Keep the bucket reservoir full by adding water 1-2 times per week. Check the water level by looking in the watering pipe or fill until water spills out of overflow holes.
How long will it take?
Pepper plants can take 3-4 months from seed to be ready to harvest.
Can I plant anything else with the pepper plant?
Yes! When planted in garden beds, herbs including basil and cilantro grow well with peppers. Spinach and marigolds also do well. Pepper plants should be the only plant in a bucket garden.
Peas and Beans:
How do I plant peas and beans?
For bush beans, you can plant 1-2 plants per grow bucket. Pole beans should be limited to 1 plant per bucket. About 3-4 peas can be planted per bucket. Bury the seeds 1 - 1.5 inches deep. May-August is an ideal time to plant.
How much sun do pea and bean plants need?
6-8 hours of direct sunlight is ideal.
Do the plants need support?
Bush beans do not, but pole beans and peas do. Any sticks that extend about 2-3 feet above the soil will work well as a trellis. This support helps the plant grow upright and keeps the produce fresh.
How often should I add water into the bucket?
Add water to the bucket when you first plant the seeds and add water 1-2 times per week depending on how quickly water levels drop. You can check the water level by looking in the watering pipe.
How long will it take?
Bush and pole beans take about 6-8 weeks and can be cut off the plant once they reach desired size. Pea plants can take 8-12 weeks to produce. Plants will produce more as you harvest.
Can I plant anything else with peas and beans?
Yes! Rosemary, basil, mint and cilantro grow well with beans and peas. Flowers such as marigolds and sunflowers also do well. Avoid planting near garlic and onion.
Leafy Greens:
How do I plant greens?
Tender and hearty greens can be planted from seed in the spring and fall. Bury seeds per packet instructions and keep the soil moist until germination. Experiment with different types and quantities!
How much sun do greens need?
6-8 hours of direct sunlight is ideal.
Do the plants need support?
Bush beans do not, but pole beans and peas do. Any sticks that extend about 2-3 feet above the soil will work well as a trellis. This support helps the plant grow upright and keeps the produce fresh.
How often should I add water into the bucket?
Add water to the bucket when you first plant the seeds and add water 1-2 times per week depending on how quickly water levels drop. You can check the water level by looking in the watering pipe.
How long will it take?
Most greens are harvest ready 1-2 months after seed planting.
Can I plant anything else with greens?
Yes! Garlic, chives, onion as well as rosemary, cilantro, and sage grow well with greens. Flowers such as marigolds also do well.