Growing Zucchini in 5 Gallon Buckets: Tips and Tricks

Interested in growing zucchini in containers? The process is actually more simple than it sounds.

Growing zucchini in 5 gallon buckets will show you how easy it is to grow your own food. Zucchini as a plant is a very prolific plant and can feed a family throughout its growing season.

Here’s a short guide to help you grow zucchini from seed to harvest in a 5-gallon bucket.


Why Grow Zucchini in Containers?

growing zucchini in 5 gallon buckets

Container gardening or growing plants in containers and buckets has recently been on the rise. You can grow several kinds of vegetables or fruits within a very limited amount of space, as well as have a degree of control over the plant’s environment, e.g., giving it the right amount of sunlight, keeping it away from freezing winters, and so on

As it turns out, zucchini won’t mind being planted on a 5 gallon bucket as long as you give them what they need to thrive and produce fruit. You’ll know that your zucchini plant is happy if it keeps on giving you loads of fruit to eat or add to your dishes.

Last but not least, containers can be customized or painted to blend in the landscape, or as a blank canvas where you can show off your artistic skills and creativity. You can spray paint, decorate or leave it as is depending on your preference.

Before planting zucchini plants you should always use ‘clean’ 5-gallon buckets or those that have not been used to store chemicals or toxic materials.


When and How to Plant Zucchini in Containers

growing zucchini in 5 gallon buckets

The best time to plant zucchini is in spring when temperatures start to get consistently warm. Specifically, you’ll need at least 70 degrees F in order to germinate zucchini seeds and get them to sprout successfully.

If given the chance, opt for compact and easy-grow varieties such as Jackpot or Eight Ball, especially if you’re new to container gardening or growing zucchini plants.

Plant zucchini seeds at a depth of one inch and water the soil right after. They should germinate within 5 to 10 days and sprout true leaves a week after that. It’s important to keep the soil moist but not overly wet- you can use a spray or water from the bottom to prevent the seeds from getting buried or washed away.

Once the seedlings are around 8 to 10 inches in length you should pick the strongest and healthiest looking ones and take away the rest. A good rule of thumb is to plant between 1 to 3 zucchini seedlings per 5 gallon bucket, with a spacing of somewhere between 3 to 5 inches.

For growing medium it’s recommended that you use a mix of potting soil and organic material such as fine bark, peat, and compost. You can amend further with a bit of sand or vermiculite to promote a well-draining and aerated soil. It’s worth noting that you shouldn’t use pure garden soil as it can get compacted and may carry pests and unwanted organisms.


How to Care for Zucchini Plants in 5 Gallon Buckets

Your zucchini plants will need at least 6 hours of direct sunlight each day to thrive. Furthermore, you will need to water it consistently, especially on hot days and warm weather. Keep the soil moist but not sopping wet so you can avoid root rot and similar diseases.

Water on the soil and not the plant’s leaves to avoid the foliage getting wet. You can touch the surface of the soil as an indication of whether you should water it or not- if it’s too moist then you can probably hold it off for another day or two.

With the right conditions and growing environment, your zucchini will soon blossom into a mature plant and begin producing flowers, which turn into fruits. At this point, you should monitor the fruits closely so you can harvest them at the right time.

Once the zucchini fruit is about 5 to 7 inches long and has that dark green color, then it’s probably good to pick. Make sure the fruit is firm, and cut it down to an inch or two from the stem using sharp scissors or garden shears. Handling and twisting the fruit by hand is not recommended since you’re more likely to damage it.

Related article: How Much Potting Soil is Needed to Fill a 5 Gallon Bucket?