Bucket Gardening

Today I will be giving you a little history of my experience with gardening before I get into "bucket gardening". In Northeastern PA I grew up on a family ranch. We had different livestock and many fields of vegetables as well as fruit orchards. As young as four I can remember beings in the fields with my Grandmother pulling weeds, picking rocks and chasing butterflies, all the while learning and having fun.



In this photo are seedlings I bought - lettuce, broccoli and tomatoes. In the background are some flower plants I nursed back to health.

As I grew older I always had some kind of garden whether flowers, vegetables or fruits. Sometimes I had limited space and grew them in pots.

It's been a few years since my husband and I separated. During this time I mainly planted flowers. He and I shared plants and continue to do so. This past spring I decided to plant a vegetable garden. My neighbors think it is a huge garden, but to me it is small. Growing up with acres of vegetables puts a different perspective on things.

In this photo you can see the seedlings I bought and boxes of seeds I planted inside (before transplanting outside). I would take them outside if it was warm enough for some fresh air and direct sunlight. At night I would bring them back in as my area was still getting frost in May.


These are some boxes of planted seeds that I transferred out side towards the end of May They are covered with roll plastic and 2 x 4 lumber is placed on the edges of the plastic to keep it from blowing off. When it got warmer I would take the plastic off for a few hours to air the plants. If it was sunny and cold I left the plastic on. Sunny and cool the two outer edges were lifted so a breeze could pass through. Sunny and warm I took the plastic off completely.



"Bucket Gardening"

My neighbor NeaNea had given me some buckets she had gotten from a catering service. Fruit had come in them. So I started out growing plants in the buckets. I do not recommend using any buckets or containers that have had construction supplies in them. eg: joint compound orpaint. These types of materials seep into the plastic and are harmful if ingested. The chemicals can transfer through your plant into your fruit and vegetables. Also, these chemicals will retard the plants growth yeilding less crops and possibly killing your plants.

This photo shows buckets planted with seedlings.


1. First drill a hole in the bottom for drainage. If you don't your plant can develop "root rot" and
die.
2. Next place some gravel in the bottom about an 1 1/2 inches.
3. Then layer some soil and compost or you can mix it before you put it in.
Use only about three inches.
4. Put some granulated fertilizer and another 1/2 -1 inch of soil mixture.
(so the fertilizer does not burn the roots of the seedlings or burn the seeds).
You can use a weekly fertilizer that you mix with water, but the granulated last for 3 months. CAUTION: Always wear gloves when handling granulated fertilizer.
5. Next place your seed or seeding in.
If you plant from seed place recommended amount of soil mixture on top.
If using a seedling clip any brown leaves.
Put soil mixture up to bottom of the green leaves on the stock.
As your plant grows add soil mixture around the plant.
This method strengthens the stock of the plant.
6. Plants in containers dry out quicker than plants in the ground.
Check moisture of soil twice a day morning and early evening. Water as needed.
CAUTION: Do not water in late evening as this will cause root rot and your plants will die.
If there is a frost warning in your area cover with a plastic grocery bag or other plastic.

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