15 Best Vegetables to Grow in Buckets: Space-Saving Solutions for Urban Gardeners

Growing vegetables in buckets is a great option for gardeners with limited space.

I’ve found it’s an easy way to start a garden, even if you only have a small patio or balcony. 

Bucket gardening lets you control the soil, light, and water for each plant, which can lead to better harvests.

Many vegetables thrive when grown in buckets or containers. I’ll share some of the best choices that I’ve had success with.

These plants are well-suited to bucket growing and can produce good yields in small spaces.

With the right care, you can enjoy fresh homegrown veggies from your bucket garden.

1: Tomatoes

I find tomatoes perfect for growing in buckets. They thrive in containers and produce lots of fruit.

Cherry tomatoes work especially well. Varieties like Fantastico can yield up to 12 pounds per plant in a season.

I recommend using a 5-gallon bucket for each tomato plant. This gives the roots enough space to grow.

2: Bell Peppers

Bell peppers are great for growing in buckets. I like them because they’re versatile and easy to care for.

Choose a big bucket, at least 12 inches wide. Bell peppers need room to grow.

Make sure the soil drains well. Add some compost to keep the plants happy.

3: Lettuce

Lettuce is a top choice for bucket gardening. I find it grows quickly and doesn’t need much space. It’s perfect for small containers on patios or balconies.

I like to plant a mix of loose-leaf and head lettuce varieties. They’re easy to care for and can be harvested multiple times.

4: Radishes

Radishes are a great choice for bucket gardening. I find they grow quickly and don’t need much space.

I like to sprinkle radish seeds over moist soil and cover them lightly. Once they sprout, I thin them so each plant has room.

I water my radishes daily to keep the soil damp. This helps prevent cracking as they grow.

5: Carrots

I love growing carrots in buckets. They’re perfect for small spaces. I pick short-rooted varieties like Parisian Market or Red Cored Chantenay.

I use deep buckets, at least 12 inches, to give the roots room to grow. With the right care, I can enjoy fresh, crunchy carrots from my bucket garden.

6: Spinach

I love growing spinach in buckets. It’s easy and doesn’t need much space. I pick a bucket at least 6 inches deep with drainage holes.

I fill the bucket with good potting soil and plant the spinach seeds. Spinach likes cool weather and some shade.

I make sure to water it regularly but not too much. In about 6 weeks, I can start harvesting fresh spinach leaves for my salads.

7: Kale

I find kale to be a great choice for bucket gardening. It grows well in containers and doesn’t need much space.

Kale is packed with nutrients and easy to care for. I recommend using a 5-gallon bucket for best results.

Make sure to give kale plenty of sunlight and water regularly. With proper care, you can enjoy fresh kale from your bucket garden all season long.

8: Cucumbers

Cucumbers grow well in buckets. I recommend using a 5-gallon bucket for each plant. They need lots of sun and water to thrive.

I like to add a trellis or cage for the vines to climb. This saves space and keeps the cucumbers off the ground.

9: Green Onions

Green onions are perfect for bucket gardening. I find them easy to grow and they don’t need much space.

I plant several green onion seedlings in a 5-gallon bucket with drainage holes. They prefer full sun but can handle some shade too.

I keep the soil moist and harvest the tops as needed. New leaves grow back quickly, giving me a continuous supply of fresh green onions.

10: Zucchini

Zucchini is a great vegetable to grow in buckets. I find it thrives in containers with the right care.

For best results, I choose compact bush varieties like Astia. These fit well in 5-gallon buckets without sprawling.

I make sure to use rich, well-draining soil and add slow-release fertilizer. Zucchini needs full sun and consistent watering to produce well.

With proper care, I can harvest tasty zucchini all summer long from my bucket garden.

11: Beets

I find beets easy to grow in buckets. They need about 6-8 hours of sunlight daily.

I make sure to use containers at least 8 inches deep for the roots to develop. Well-draining soil is important.

I can grow red, golden, white, or striped beet varieties in containers. The greens are edible too, adding extra value.

12: Basil

Basil is a great herb to grow in buckets. I find it thrives in containers at least 8 inches deep. This gives the roots plenty of space to spread out.

I like to plant 3-4 basil seedlings per 5-gallon bucket. They need full sun and well-draining soil. I water them regularly to keep the soil moist but not soggy.

With proper care, basil in buckets can produce lots of flavorful leaves all summer long. I love having fresh basil on hand for cooking.

13: Parsley

I find parsley easy to grow in buckets. It’s a versatile herb that adds flavor to many dishes. Parsley needs a bucket at least 6 inches deep with good drainage.

I plant parsley seeds about 1/4 inch deep in moist soil. The plants grow well in partial shade or full sun. I water regularly to keep the soil damp but not soggy.

14: Chard

Chard is a great veggie for bucket gardens. I love how it grows quickly and produces lots of leaves. It’s easy to care for and doesn’t need much space.

I find chard does well in 5-gallon buckets with good drainage. It likes full sun but can handle some shade too.

15: Broccoli

I find broccoli grows well in buckets. It needs a deep container, at least 12 inches, with good drainage.

I plant one broccoli seedling per 5-gallon bucket. The plant gets big, so it needs space.

Broccoli likes cool weather. I start seeds indoors and move buckets outside when it’s cooler.