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I love gardening, but let’s face it—buying new pots for herbs every season can quickly eat up your budget. If you’re like me, you probably have a stack of old buckets collecting dust somewhere.
Instead of tossing them out or letting them clutter your space, you can turn those old buckets into fantastic herb planters.
In this article, I’ll share exactly how your forgotten buckets can become perfect homes for your herbs, saving you money and keeping your garden tidy.
Why Buckets Work So Well for Herbs
When I first tried using buckets for my herbs, I wasn’t sure they’d work. But they did—and better than I expected! Here’s why:
1. Perfect Size
Most buckets are the ideal size for herbs. They’re big enough to let roots grow nicely but still small enough to easily move around your garden or balcony. Herbs like basil, mint, parsley, and rosemary thrive in buckets because they don’t need huge spaces.
2. Easy Drainage
One thing herbs absolutely hate is soggy roots. Good news—it’s very easy to drill a few holes in the bottom of any bucket for drainage. Even if your buckets already have a few cracks or small holes, that just helps excess water escape and prevents root rot.
3. Cost-Efficient
Buying planters every year gets expensive. Old buckets are free! You already have them at home, saving your wallet and reducing waste.
4. Moveable Gardens
Buckets have handles. Sounds simple, but handles make life easy when you want to rearrange your garden. Need more sun? Pick up your bucket and move it. Storm coming? Move your herbs to safety with almost no effort.
Preparing Your Buckets for Herb Planting
Here’s exactly how I prep my buckets to grow healthy, happy herbs:
Step 1: Clean Them Up
First, give your bucket a good scrub. A quick wash with warm water and mild soap is enough. Just make sure you rinse them thoroughly to get rid of soap residues. This prevents any nasty chemicals or germs from harming your herbs.
Step 2: Drill Drainage Holes
Using a drill or even just a sharp screwdriver, poke a few holes in the bottom. Three to five holes should do it, depending on bucket size. This step is super important. Without proper drainage, your herbs won’t last long.
Step 3: Add Some Gravel or Small Stones
Add a thin layer (about an inch) of small stones or gravel at the bottom of your bucket. This helps the water drain better and keeps the soil from clogging your holes.
Step 4: Fill with Potting Soil
Now, fill your bucket with good-quality potting soil. I always mix in a handful of compost for extra nutrients. Your herbs will thank you with faster growth and richer flavor.
Best Herbs to Grow in Buckets (And Why!)
Here are my top picks for bucket-friendly herbs. Trust me, these thrive in buckets, and I’ve had fantastic harvests season after season:
- Basil: Loves container life! Basil grows quickly in warm conditions, and buckets help keep its roots warm enough to flourish.
- Mint: Mint spreads like crazy in open ground. Keeping it in a bucket ensures it stays controlled, making your life much easier.
- Parsley: Easy-going herb perfect for bucket gardening. Parsley needs just moderate watering and grows well even in partial shade.
- Rosemary: Tough and easy to grow, rosemary prefers dryer soil, which makes bucket planting ideal since you can easily control moisture.
Final Thoughts
Turning your old buckets into herb gardens is a practical, money-saving idea. It’s worked wonders for my garden, reducing clutter and giving me tasty herbs year-round.
Next time you find an old bucket lying around, don’t toss it—plant something delicious instead!
