Bucket Gardening: How To Grow Cucumbers In A 5-Gallon Bucket
Ever since I got the idea to GROW my OWN vegetables this year, I’ve been all about container gardening – specifically; how to grow veggies in a 5-gallon bucket.
I already have my 5-gallon bucket garden stand plans and tutorial so now it’s time to GROW some stuff.
First stop – CUCUMBERS!
Every, single person in this family LOVES cucumbers so that will be my first adventure into improving my green thumb skills.
Thankfully, growing cucumbers in a bucket is pretty simple to do.
Here’s how…
What You Need:
To grow cucumbers in a 5-gallon container, you’ll need the following materials:
Container: A 5-gallon Smart Pot, bucket or similar container with good drainage.
Soil: A light, organic potting mix enriched with compost and vermiculite.
Trellis Materials:
Tree branches, bamboo poles, or sunflower stalks.
Twine for tying the trellis.
note: don’t want to MAKE the trellis? You can buy a cucumber bucket trellis like this.
Cucumber Seeds: These SpaceMaster seeds are best for containers.
Watering System: Drip irrigation hose or watering can.
Fertilizers: Vermisterra worm tea and high-quality plant food.
Mulch: Shredded leaves or similar material for moisture retention.
Optional Extras:
Shade cloth for hot weather.
Stretchy tie tape for training vines.
Step by step to grow cucumbers in a 5-gallon container:
Choose a Container: Use a 5-gallon container with good drainage, such as a Smart Pot like this.
note: if you want to use a 5-gallon bucket, you’ll need to put holes in it for drainage.
Put six holes on the side of the bottom, one inch in diameter. Fill with compost halfway, the roots will find its way down to the soil underneath. If you put your hole in the bottom center, the roots cannot find its way out to the soil underneath.
Prepare the Soil: Use a light, organic potting mix enriched with compost and vermiculite for good drainage.
Install a Trellis: Before planting, set up a simple trellis using materials like sunflower stalks or bamboo to support vining cucumbers or purchase a trellis good for bucket gardening like this.
Plant Seeds or Transplants: Place one seed or transplant near each leg of the trellis. Thin to one or two plants later for better airflow.
Water and Maintain: Keep soil moist, especially during germination. Fertilize every two weeks with a good balanced plant food like this.
Provide Shade: Use shade cloth if temperatures exceed 90°F to protect plants.
Mulch: Use a light layer of mulch, like shredded leaves, to retain moisture and reduce evaporation.
Train Vines: Use stretchy tie tape to guide vines up the trellis for optimal growth and airflow.
Video Tutorial:
FAQ
Can I Transplant My Cucumber Seedlings To A Bucket?
As a general rule, cucumber plants do not transplant well. Simply start your cucumber seeds in the bucket you want them to grow in.
Why Do My Cucumbers Look Like THIS:
If your cucumbers are oddly-shaped – it’s from irregular watering.
If your cucumbers are yellow – they’re overripe.
When Should I Pick My Cucumbers?
You always want to pick cucumbers before they turn yellow (ripen, technically), otherwise it signals to the plant that it’s nearing the end of its lifespan and doesn’t need to make any more fruit.
Cucumbers grow their length first, then they start filling in. When it looks like it does now, it’s ready. You want it plump and full of water. Any longer and the seeds develop and it gets bitter.
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