You don’t need fields to farm. In fact, there are many items you can grow in a bucket, allowing access to fresh farm food no matter where you live.
Container gardening has taken the world by storm. Increased populations mean less land and abundant farming soils have developed into concrete urban jungles.
Despite this drastic change of scenery, you can still grow healthy fruits and vegetables even in an apartment.
Aside from the changing landscape around us, the weather also affects our access to fresh food. Those in colder climates pay a premium for fresh fruits and vegetables shipped to local grocery stores.
Unfortunately, growing many plants outdoors is not an option for these people due to harsh, cold climates.
Thankfully, many foods we grow in our garden can also be grown indoors. While you probably don’t have a greenhouse in your backyard or on your balcony, chances are you can find a bucket, and that is all you need to start farming fresh food at home.
25 Crops You Can Grow In Buckets All Year Round
Many plants can be grown at home, no matter where you are located. Indoor gardens eliminate the harsh effects of the outdoor climate and allow access to fresh foods.
Creating an indoor container garden or hybrid garden is easy. All it takes is a little effort and knowledge about which plants grow best inside. Below are some plants that you can grow indoors and in containers year-round.
Tomatoes
Tomatoes grow surprisingly well indoors. Since most tomato plants must be sprouted inside, keeping them indoors is convenient.
Tomatoes can be planted inside at any time of year. To extend the growing season of indoor tomatoes, plant them in September.
Kale
Kale thrives in cooler weather, making it the perfect option for container gardening. This plant does well outdoors when planted in spring and fall and is best planted indoors at the beginning of summer.
Peppers
When placed indoors, peppers can be grown year-round. Planting peppers in a portable bucket allows you to move them around to aid with lower sunlight during winter months.
Arugula
You can grow arugula indoors and enjoy salad greens all year long. This plant needs 10-12 hours of sunlight, should be placed at a south-facing window if possible, and should be planted 3 inches apart.
Eggplant
Eggplant is relatively easy to grow and does well in a container garden.
Eggplants are also a plant that continually reproduces, so you get a lot of vegetables in a little space. Since eggplants are tropical plants, you may require a heat lamp or grow light for maintenance.
Herbs
Growing herbs is easy and can save you a lot of money. Fresh herbs are more fragrant and often preferable to dried varieties. Herbs also offer a simplistic introduction to edible gardening for beginners.
Most herbs can be grown in containers in your home, but basil, chives, mint, oregano, parsley, rosemary, and thyme tend to be the easiest to maintain and fair the best when planted inside.
Onions
Onions are another plant that is relatively easy to grow indoors. Ensuring they have enough space is the most crucial aspect of maintaining this plant.
Six inches of depth and three inches between each plant is best. Depending on the type, onions also require 12-16 hours of sunlight daily. Thus, a grow light may help produce an optimal environment.
Green Onions
One of the easiest ways to grow green onions is with a leftover onion. To do this, submerge the roots in a container of water, changing the water weekly. Once the roots reach five inches, you can move the plant to a pot of soil.
Cucumbers
Cucumbers do well indoors in a deep, hanging basket or large container. Provide the plant with at least 8 hours of sun each day and harvest when the plant reaches 10 inches in height.
Carrots
Outdoor carrots are best harvested in the fall or spring.
However, to keep carrots growing year-round, plant them indoors when winter begins and spring is coming to an end.
If you plant the carrot seeds bi-weekly, they will sprout all year.
Lettuce
You can easily grow lettuce at home and access healthy greens anytime. Lettuce can be grown in almost any container as long as there is sufficient drainage.
An easy-going, low-maintenance plant, lettuce requires very little attention and will grow in most types of soil as long as it is kept moist.
Beans
Beans make a great container plant.
They take up little space and grow well in most areas. When growing beans indoors, it is essential to ensure they get a good amount of sun.
Mint
Outside, mint will grow like wildfire, and it smells incredible in the yard.
However, you can also grow mint in a container inside your house.
Mint needs to receive 4-6 hours of sun per day and has to be shielded from the hot afternoon sunlight.
Mushrooms
Mushrooms are pretty easy to grow. However, they must be placed in a cool, dark, damp space to thrive. Typically a basement, unused cabinet, or closet will work well.
Potatoes
To grow potatoes inside, cut a sprouted potato into two-inch pieces, and plant it in a container of soil that has a 2.5-gallon capacity.
Potatoes grow anywhere and can be an excellent food source.
Spinach
Spinach is super healthy and easy enough to grow indoors. Plant soaked and softened seeds in a container that receives ample sunlight and keeps the soil moist to benefit from this powerful vegetable all year round.
Peas
Wide varieties of peas grow well indoors, with snap peas and snow peas being the easiest to grow inside. Peas need sunlight, so they should be placed in the sunniest location of the home.
Sprouts and plants also require support. Adding a small stick to each shoot will allow them to climb and grow.
Garlic
A life without garlic is no life at all. Thankfully garlic is easy to grow, and you can do it indoors anytime. To grow garlic, place 3-4 cloves in a pot of soil and sit it on a sunny window ledge. Water the plant lightly when dry and allow it to flourish.
Cabbage
Cabbage typically grows in the fall and spring. Due to its extended growing time, cabbage does well in various temperatures.
When growing cabbage indoors, it is best to start the seeds toward the end of spring, but you can space out planting to extend the harvest.
Artichoke
Artichokes require more attention than other plants but can thrive in containers with adequate care.
The main thing to remember is that proper draining is essential, and the container must be big enough to support its extensive root system. A 5-gallon bucket will work fine for this purpose.
Squash
Another plant that is generally straightforward is squash. When planted in a large container with plenty of sunlight, squash can thrive indoors. It is best to choose a smaller, bush-type squash to save space, but squash plants of any type will yield a substantial harvest within about 60 days of planting.
Radishes
Radishes have a shallow root system, making them perfect for indoor gardens. This plant also prefers when it is cool, so spring and early fall are the best times to plant. Alternatively, place the container in an area that suits the optimal conditions, and you can have radishes all year long.
Celery
You can regrow celery using the base of a used stalk by placing it in a shallow container with water.
It takes about a week to see progress, and then you can move the celery to a container filled with soil.
Red Beets
Beets do well in containers but require 6-8 hours of sunlight. Place the container in front of a large, sunny window or purchase a grow light if you live in a dark, northern area.
Microgreens
Growing microgreens is increasingly popular, and many systems on the market make the process simple. The main issue with microgreens is that they often do not regrow.
Due to the micro size, all the energy they hold is used in production, and once trimmed, they must be replanted. Still, they are an excellent food source that can be grown year-round.
Although living on a farm may appeal to you, it is not always possible. However, that does not mean you can not live a sustainable, self-sufficient lifestyle wherever you are in the world.
You can grow food inside your home to provide sustenance and security. The list above is not comprehensive, and I would love to hear what you grow in containers at home.
This article first appeared here.
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