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Growing Tomatoes and Peppers in 5-Gallon Buckets. "tips"
Posted on 5/4/24 at 8:01 am
Posted on 5/4/24 at 8:01 am
I'm starting a small project on my back porch today and want to "try" to grow peppers and possibly tomatoes in buckets.
I assume you drill holes, fill with potting soil and water.
Any other tips or suggestions ?
I assume you drill holes, fill with potting soil and water.
Any other tips or suggestions ?
Posted on 5/4/24 at 8:12 am to The Torch
Tomatoes will need to be supported in some way because the plants themselves will not support the weight of the leaves and fruit and will spill over the bucket and cover the porch.
I also stake pepper plants, but mine are in the ground and subject to whatever nature throws at them as they grow. Bell peppers can get to be pretty plentiful and heavy on the plant and the branches are not all that strong to hold the fruit so I tie them off to keep them upright.
Hot peppers always bear much smaller fruit, so they can do well unsupported.
If you have a wood deck on your porch I suggest you put a few small blocks of treated wood under the buckets to allow water to drain and not simply collect under the bucket. That could lead to water damage to the porch deck.
I also stake pepper plants, but mine are in the ground and subject to whatever nature throws at them as they grow. Bell peppers can get to be pretty plentiful and heavy on the plant and the branches are not all that strong to hold the fruit so I tie them off to keep them upright.
Hot peppers always bear much smaller fruit, so they can do well unsupported.
If you have a wood deck on your porch I suggest you put a few small blocks of treated wood under the buckets to allow water to drain and not simply collect under the bucket. That could lead to water damage to the porch deck.
This post was edited on 5/5/24 at 12:32 pm
Posted on 5/4/24 at 8:49 am to The Torch
I ordered some 10 gallon grow bags on Amazon. Might give you some more soil space.
Posted on 5/4/24 at 9:11 am to LEASTBAY
In my experience the grow bags work better than buckets. It has better air circulation and it simply drains better. As someone else stated you have to put a stake in the container unless you’re planting “patio” tomato plants.
Posted on 5/4/24 at 9:27 am to The Torch
Water them consistently. Don't keep them too wet or let them get too dry.
Also, on your maters don't forget to add calcium to prevent blossom end rot.
Like the others have stated, support the plants. As they add fruit they'll get heavy.
Also, on your maters don't forget to add calcium to prevent blossom end rot.
Like the others have stated, support the plants. As they add fruit they'll get heavy.
Posted on 5/4/24 at 9:38 am to The Torch
I've had good luck with peppers and eggplants. in 7 gallon grow bags. They're cheaper than buckets and easier to store during the winter.
I've noticed with peppers that unless you're keeping up with fertilizing, have really good soil, etc the first generation of peppers will be decent size then after they get smaller and smaller as time goes on due to nutrients washing out.
I compost leaves, horse shite, and kitchen scraps then mix that 50/50 with pro mix potting soil. New soil every year.
Never had luck with container tomatoes.
I've noticed with peppers that unless you're keeping up with fertilizing, have really good soil, etc the first generation of peppers will be decent size then after they get smaller and smaller as time goes on due to nutrients washing out.
I compost leaves, horse shite, and kitchen scraps then mix that 50/50 with pro mix potting soil. New soil every year.
Never had luck with container tomatoes.
Posted on 5/4/24 at 3:48 pm to The Torch
The hardest thing about containers is maintaining a balance between water and fertilizer. They dry out quicker, which means you water more, and rinse out nutrients unless they’re added consistently. I use a drip system with a timer to water each plant and hit them frequently with a weaker balanced fertilizer. As someone else mentioned, blossom end rot is an issue for the same reason, I use gypsum as a calcium source when transplanting since it breaks down slowly. Other than that, just make sure they’re in a spot where they’ll get 6-8 hours of sun a day.
Posted on 5/4/24 at 4:40 pm to The Torch
A few years ago my sister was telling me about her troubles with growing tomatoes in 5-gallon buckets. Sounded like from what she was telling me it should be at least working somewhat but apparently it wasn't so I said IDK. Later that summer I took a trip to her house and she showed me her "garden".
Each 5 gallon bucket had about 3" total of dirt in the bottom.
So don't do that.
Each 5 gallon bucket had about 3" total of dirt in the bottom.
So don't do that.
Posted on 5/5/24 at 7:45 pm to The Torch
Add a little 13-13-13 to the potting soil. Maybe a TSBP but no more than that.
Posted on 5/6/24 at 11:23 am to The Torch
I don’t have any experience with peppers in buckets, but tomatoes in buckets is tough because of some of the reasons mentioned already. Also, don’t try more than one tomato plant per bucket. In my experience, they just don’t make, even with as few as two plants per bucket.
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