How To: Create a Container Garden in a Bucket

Help your children (or grandchildren) get a jump start on spring gardening by starting indoors! Creating a small garden in a bucket can be a fun way to introduce children to gardening and creates a great project for a rainy day that allows them to GET THEIR HANDS DIRTY! This is a really simple project, but can get a bit messy so make sure to keep that in mind when selecting a location. Also, it is important to select plants that do not have a real vigorous root system, as there isn’t much room for them to grow in a bucket, so annuals will work best (petunias, geraniums, alyssum, marigolds, etc.) Remember to plant small plants so they can grow! Two to three small plants (out of a six pack) should do the trick. Just ask our greenhouse staff for help with plant selection if you have questions. Let’s get started!

Materials Needed

- Children’s Plastic Garden/Beach Bucket
- Puffy Craft Paints
- Newspaper
- Drill with Bits
- Saucer
- Potting Soil
- Plants of Choice
- Paper Towels

Directions

Start by covering your work surface with newspaper. Doing so will help catch soil spillage and paint drippings and will make cleanup a snap! An adult will need to drill three small to medium sized holes in the bottom of the bucket. This allows excess water to drain and helps to prevent root rot. If your garden is going to grow in a sunny spot indoors, simply place a saucer underneath the bucket to catch any excess water and discard.

Once you have your holes drilled, it is time to decorate! Puffy paints from the craft store work well for this type of project. They come in an array of colors and can be applied directly from the bottle. Make sure to keep a roll of paper towels nearby (and that the children are not wearing their Sunday’s best) as there are sure to be a few smears. Once your bucket is decorated, allow it to dry thoroughly before continuing. Fill the bucket with potting soil, leaving about 1-1/2 to 2 inches of head space (this helps to prevent soil overflow when watering). Tease the roots of the new plants and place in the dirt so that the top of the root ball is flush with the top level of soil. Water thoroughly and place in a sunny spot.

Have Fun!
Heather W.
Fairview Greenhouses & Garden Center