Consider Growing Vegetables in a Container

Five Gallon Container Plants
Credit: Eddie Powell

One Gallon Container Plants
Credit: Eddie

GARDENING IN A BUCKET: Grow wholesome, healthy vegetables in a container with this plan.

Materials

5 Gallon plastic buckets
40 pound sacks of Potting soil
40 pound sacks of compost
garden trowels or shovels
wheel barrow or other large mixing container
controlled release fertilizer
packs of vegetable seeds

Recommended: All Herbs, Tomato, Cucumber, Squash, and Zucchini

Procedures:

In a large container or on a plastic mat on the ground, mix potting soil and compost in a 2:1 ratio. Two scoops of soil and one of compost, add ½ cup time release fertilizer, every 6 weeks
Drill 6 to 8- ½ inch holes in the bottom of the 5-gallon buckets. Make sure that the buckets did not contain toxic materials!
Fill the bucket to within 3 inches of the top of the container
Place container in sunny spot that will allow drainage
Plant chosen vegetable with two seeds in center of the container
Water well and keep moist but not wet

Plant requirements:

Minerals. Basic needs in plants are Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), Potassium (K). These are listed on all fertilizers as a ratio, example – 8-8-8 contains 8 % Nitrogen, 8% Phosphorus, and 8% Potassium 76% being filler.
Sunshine or artificial sources of light (grow lights).
Water. Soil must be kept moist but not wet. Wet soils will create root-rot and encourage fungus. Measure moisture by pinching the soil to determine if the soil is moist. Adding water as needed; plants in full sun will need much more water than plants in partial shade. Wilted plants need more water!
Carbon Dioxide (CO2). Plants absorb CO2 and give off Oxygen making them VERY important to human and all animal life.
Proper Temperatures. Too cold, plants die, too hot plants die. Make sure that if your plants are outside and the temperature goes below freezing, the plants are protected.

Author
Recent Posts

Eddie Powell

Residential Horticulture
Educate the residents of Walton County who are unfamiliar with growing certain landscape and vegetable plants that grow in north Florida. Provide homeowners with information about why a good looking healthy lawn is important.Teaching proper fertilization and irrigation practices for successful backyard gardening and container gardening.
Master Gardener Coordinator
Develop in-school programs with use of Master Gardeners to reach school kids and youth.Also provide educational programs for developing community gardens and provide educational material at local festivals.

Consider Growing Vegetables in a Container

GARDENING IN A BUCKET: Grow wholesome, healthy vegetables in a container with this plan.

Materials

5 Gallon plastic buckets

40 pound sacks of Potting soil

40 pound sacks of compost

garden trowels or shovels

wheel barrow or other large mixing container

controlled release fertilizer

packs of vegetable seeds

Recommended: All Herbs, Tomato, Cucumber, Squash, and Zucchini

Procedures:

In a large container or on a plastic mat on the ground, mix potting soil and compost in a 2:1 ratio. Two scoops of soil and one of compost, add ½ cup time release fertilizer, every 6 weeks

Drill 6 to 8- ½ inch holes in the bottom of the 5-gallon buckets. Make sure that the buckets did not contain toxic materials!

Fill the bucket to within 3 inches of the top of the container

Place container in sunny spot that will allow drainage

Plant chosen vegetable with two seeds in center of the container

Water well and keep moist but not wet

Plant requirements:

Minerals. Basic needs in plants are Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), Potassium (K). These are listed on all fertilizers as a ratio, example – 8-8-8 contains 8 % Nitrogen, 8% Phosphorus, and 8% Potassium 76% being filler.

Sunshine or artificial sources of light (grow lights).

Water. Soil must be kept moist but not wet. Wet soils will create root-rot and encourage fungus. Measure moisture by pinching the soil to determine if the soil is moist. Adding water as needed; plants in full sun will need much more water than plants in partial shade. Wilted plants need more water!

Carbon Dioxide (CO2). Plants absorb CO2 and give off Oxygen making them VERY important to human and all animal life.

Proper Temperatures. Too cold, plants die, too hot plants die. Make sure that if your plants are outside and the temperature goes below freezing, the plants are protected.

Gardening in the Panhandle