Hey everyone! I'm super excited to kick off my first garden this year! I'm using 5-gallon buckets from Home Depot, making sure to drill holes for drainage, add some landscape fabric, and put in rocks at the bottom. I live in the Midwest and I'm hoping to get some pointers on good starter plants for my buckets and pots. So far, I have beefsteak tomatoes, different types of snap and snow peas, peppers, onions, cucumbers, carrots, and a bunch of herbs. I'm just feeling a bit overwhelmed about where to start! I've got potting soil, but I'm wondering if I should go with peat or garden soil in my large pots. Thanks a ton for your help!
2 Answers
Awesome to see you're getting into gardening! I started with buckets too—they're a great entry point. Just a heads up, buckets can dry out pretty quickly, especially on those hot Midwest days, so be ready to water regularly—sometimes even twice a day during the peak heat. Also, keep an eye on your plants' roots in the middle of the season, as they may start circling and impact growth.
Consider switching to fabric grow bags; they're breathable and really help with root health. As for plants, your list is looking good! Cherry tomatoes are a great addition because they're easy to grow in containers. Bush beans and peas are also perfect for beginners—they grow quickly and give a nice harvest. Don’t forget about radishes and baby carrots; they're simple and do well in pots. Just stick with a good potting mix for the soil; it's better than garden soil since the latter can compact and hinder drainage. Good luck, and trust me, gardening is super addictive!
Hey there! I’m a few years into gardening now, and I’ve learned not to put rocks at the bottom of containers. They can create a muddy layer that actually messes with drainage, which is the opposite of what you want. It might be worth doing a little more research on that before you set everything up!