Beginner Gardening: Newbie, 4 by Gymgirl

Gymgirl wrote:
You can plant all sorts of things in containers. Check out the self-contained vegetable gardens thread. Here's my pictorial instructions on how to construct an eBucket. It has a self-watering reservoir (you have to keep it filled, but the veggies access all the water they want/need, when they want/need to!)

I've grown all sorts of veggies in these, and, very successfully. Last season I grew green beans with a wire tomato trellis stuck into the bucket. LOTS of beans!

Also, your water HOGGING veggies will appreciate the reservoir. You will, too, for when you get too busy (or forget) to go water. Just keep that reservoir filled.

Eggplants, okra, bell peppers, smaller tomato plants, cucumber vines (Make sure you put a trellis up for them to climb on, or start them in the eBucket and let them climb up on a trellis next to the bucket), can all be grown in eBuckets.

Finally, if you find buckets for FREE (find a hamburger joint to get free pickle buckets, or a bakery has icing buckets, side of the road even...), the average cost to build an eBucket is $1.60. Buy 10' lengths of 1/2" PVC pipe at Orange or Blue (HD or Lowes), and cut it into 22"-24" lengths. Get your colanders at the $ Store, or Dollar Tree, etc. CHEAP is the operative. Just make sure you give it the colander test before you buy it (see the pictorial).

I no longer use them exclusively, since I had the opportunity to build raised beds when I moved. But, there are still some veggies that I would prefer to grow in an eBucket (eggplants).