Don't Make this Mistake | How to Prepare Buckets to Successfully Grow Vegetables at Home

[@deedieducati2272]

I tossed coffee filters in the bottom of my buckets to save some soil leakage. Worked like a charm! By the time the filters deteriorated the soil was compacted from the weight of itself.

[@Bigfoottehchipmunk]

That is a great idea.

[@Susan578]

My former coworkers use to throw the used coffee filters and grounds in a container for me to take home. I laid the filters down on the soil as a weed barrier and spread the grounds on top to prevent the filters from blowing away.

[@cynthianelson7401]

Coffee grounds are great natural fertilizer. My great uncle had the best garden because he took food scraps and coffee grounds and threw them on his garden all throughout the winter. The packages he burned in the woodstove and then threw the ashes on the garden plot. Of course this was years ago so basically threw was no plastic involved. By the time the snow melted and the ground warmed up enough to plant the soil was black gold. The only thing that was bad about that is aminals trying to eat every. As her ran a sporting camp the would harvest whatever aminals tried to eat his garden. There's nothing like fresh vegetables and deer meat for dinner.

[@AllderHouse]

So do I !!!! 😆😆

[@wesleybullock814]

I use coffee filters

[@mikehendrix6558]

Walmart Bakery sells them for $1 each. That is where I buy mine. And really the large ones are like 6 gallon. Bigger than the home depot or Lowes buckets.

[@scottb.9369]

Just an FYI for anyone out there wanting to use buckets, I have found that my local bakery(s) will give you, or charge you very very little for their buckets that the frostings come in and most of the time they also come with the lids. So also for water or food storage these are already food grade. I have decided that I don't like paying $5 + for a bucket so I thought outside the box and found a source. The ones I get mine from clean most of the stuff off but I have found that they still need a good hot soapy cleaning to get the final stuff off so I toss em in the tub or shower and get it done. Good luck!

[@IndigenousIndianLady65]

Thank you!

[@joestalin2375]

Will their be enough frosting to lick out?

[@naughtiusmaximus1811]

Pool companies also are a good source since the buckets they use are chemically neutral.

[@joycebrady2335]

Thanks Scott. Great idea!

[@sharonkeef]

You can also source ur buckets from soap makers

[@chrisdeal9945]

I heat up a steel rod in my fire pit and do the bucket in a stack Never cracks the holes . I learned this pot farming in BC

[@kele1264]

I started my bucket garden years ago, watching your channel while you were still in VA. I've been an avid viewer since then. I can't express how much I appreciate the value I get from your videos. And the peace. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I wish you peace, love, health, and happiness this new year, and always.

[@HollisNancysHomestead]

Thank you for watching and your kind words. Have a peaceful week❤️

[@johnc6228]

@Ke Le Nice comment.

[@pbear7814]

Where is he now?

[@kele1264]

@@pbear7814 Florida, to be near Nancy's mother. Very very hard to garden there. His previous videos show the process. Quite admirable!

[@adriankap2978]

@@kele1264 Hollis has done a great job in Florida but know for sure Hollis and Nancy could grow anywhere in the country and come out great.

[@traceyallen7143]

Originally from Ohio and moved to north Florida 7yrs ago. I been following you guys for awhile before you moved here. I learned how to container garden and to make awesome dirt for my raised beds from you guys. Your AWESOME, I LOVE Y'ALL and ty for everything my fellow Floridian friends❤🙏 Congrats on your new homestead it looks amazing❤❤have a blessed day🙏

[@collinsddc1206]

Happy New Year! So good to see you again! I’m learning so much from you. I think Nancy needs to do a cookbook 😀

[@GinaSiska]

Thanks for the tip on drilling holes in the buckets!! Would you recommend putting rocks or styrofoam peanuts in the bottom of the containers for drainage? I grew a lot of peppers 🌶 in buckets this past season and they did great! God bless you, Nancy & Bing Bing!!

[@sunnysideup2663]

Sometimes I use newspaper or dried leaves in the bottom of my buckets and pots to keep the soil from coming out of the bottom. It decomposes well while allowing good drainage.

[@stefaniaking3651]

SO HAPPY to see your videos again! Happy New Years! Blessings of health and prosperity to you both!!! ❤

[@pmaint1]

Thanks for the great informative video. I like to drill alot of smaller holes in the bottom of the buckets and put some half crushed aluminum cans or small plastic water bottles with the caps on but I crush them a little. This takes up some room so not to have all soil because the roots usually only go down about half way. This makes for good drainage and it makes it easier to move the buckets when needed because they're much lighter.

[@johnbrzenksforearm8295]

Tractor supply has the best deal on food grade buckets in my area. The Homer buckets at Home Depot use to be considered food grade but I think they stopped making them like that. Walmart, bakeries, and many other stores with bakeries will give you buckets for free or very cheap. All you have to do is ask.

[@RSMunchel]

HD has white 5gal food grade buckets

[@urbanbackyardcontainergardenin]

Thanks for the tip on drilling the holes. I use 5 gallon buckets and have occasionally had some cracking in the buckets. Never occurred to me to reverse drill. Love the tip! Happy New Year!!

[@chrisdeal9945]

I heat up a steel rod in my fire pit and do the buckets in a stack Never cracks the holes . I learned this pot farming in BC

[@urbanbackyardcontainergardenin]

@@chrisdeal9945 Thanks for the tip 👍🏿

[@DougRidley]

I'm always suprised at how many pickle buckets my local delis go through! They usually have 2-3 sitting in the back waiting to be recycled. Wife hates the smell of them though and gotta clean them out real quick 🤣🤣🤣

[@Dan-yw9sg]

Thanks for the tip on running the drill backwards! I never would have thought of that, and can attest that when you drill forward it will wallow out the hole! Lol! Have a blessed day!

[@chrisdeal9945]

I heat up a steel rod in my fire pit and do the buckets in a stack Never cracks the holes . I learned this pot farming in BC

[@megaflux7144]

really not ideal to be using a fucking spade bit on plastic in the first place..

[@trockodile]

Another great upload, thank you! You two have the nicest fans, such positive, helpful and proactive comments. A genuine inspirational community to be a very small part of. Stay safe, stay blessed and thank you for your videos and genuine passion for helping others achieve great things for themselves, their friends and family. Wholesome awesomeness at its best! 👍 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 😁

[@The-Grateful-Hippie]

My mom always used a coffee filter on the bottom of her containers to keep the soil in and let the water through.

[@markmark2080]

Cut a disc of underlayment fabric to go in the bottom of the bucket, keeps sand, gravel, soil and roots inside and lets the excess moisture drain...

[@marktoldgardengnome4110]

Duh, I knew that trick about cutting plastic, reverse the blade. Same as cutting vinal siding with your buck saw. No bur's no cracking. We are using now 20+ 3-gallon buckets on our patio for potatoes. Stagger plant 2-3 buckets a week starting in early spring, earlies and mid-season varieties, 60-75 days. By June, if we want potatoes for a meal, we just dump a bucket, wash em' off and into a pot. It doesn't get any fresher than that, and OOOHHH so good and no storage concerns. 1.5-2lb per bucket. Long season potatoes go in the ground or 10 -gallon pots and get harvested as we need them when we run out of earlies, until it looks like a freeze is forecast. TYFS Hollis, great tips and reminders Mark n Rosa

[@mousiebrown1747]

If you were starting over, would you up to 5 gal for fingerlings or small potatoes? I’m hoping to do fingerlings and some Red Vikings or similar to get small red creaming / boiling potatoes, and some Yukon gold. Any advice? TYIA.

[@marktoldgardengnome4110]

@@mousiebrown1747 A few tips, findings, we've seen regularly. First keep in mind, a bucket has limited space and nutrients. If over planted you will grow more potatoes, but they will be smaller. We tried an experiment last year. Planted some with just 1 chit, some with 2, and some with 3. The number of main growing stems that came up equaled the number of chits. Also, the number of potatoes per plant was consistently 5-7 average size potatoes. We only plant 1 potato in 3-gallon pots, maybe 2 at staggered depths in a 5-gallon bucket. If you have a potato with numerous chits, say 4, either cut the potato in half leaving 2 chits on each or, knock 2 chits off. You'll have to let cut potatoes set aside for a few days to let the exposed flesh heal, crust over, but it does work, and you can plant 2 pots instead of just 1. Big potatoes don't grow big potatoes. Best size to plant is same as an egg or a little larger. In my opinion big potatoes take up growing space, cut them up into smaller pieces. Mulch the pots, an inch or 2 to keep potatoes from being exposed to sun light and turning green. But also, soil in buckets tend to dry out quicker. The mulch will help the soil retain moisture longer. The red potatoes you speak of are either Dark Red Norlands or Chietains. The Norlands rounder and more apt to have several marble sized along with the golf ball to peach sized ones. The Chieftains are more russet shaped, uniform sized and same size, no small ones. Yukon Gold is also an early variety. 60-75 days to maturity, or when the plants start laying over and leaves turning yellow from the bottom up. Buckets, no I wouldn't go back to 5-gallon. For our purposes the 3-gallon works best. They're easy to handle, move around, and harvesting is a breeze. Cut the tops and dump out into a wheel barrow. Pick your potatoes out, revitalize the soil and replant something else or set aside with some chop n drop. Ready to go when you need it. Stagger plant in spring, start dumping when they are mature when needed. Fresh bucket to plate potatoes all summer and into early autumn. Nothing better than that. Oh, and you're right, those golf ball sized red potatoes, taste like they're already buttered. First earlies. Norlands. Hollis has numerous great progression videos. Check them out. Nancy has a video on candy taters for all those tiny ones your bound to get. 😋😋😋Hope all this helps. Sorry to be so wordy. Best of Luck!

[@timhydar4302]

Great video, I think lots of people are benefiting from your container and small/urban gardening tips. Interest is growing even amongst those without land. Thanks!

[@shilohfarm7248]

Thanks for the great information. We retired and down sized from forty acres to ten so I was thinking the other day about using buckets along with our regular garden this year. MayGod continue to bless y’all in this new year.

[@cindybonem494]

It’s good to see you again, I can’t believe that the southern states are going to be planting soon, I can hardly wait! Happy New Year 🥳 🎆

[@juliajohnsonmcgee232]

Love ur content! Been watching for years. Thought I would suggest to people who live in hot dry climates (NM high desert here) to put your holes about 2 inches from the bottom of the bucket as a reservoir.

[@harleyjanice1]

I just saw your reply to Hollis' video. I had just submitted a comment to Hollis about putting holes in side of bucket. I harvest my water from roof of my home and pump it into storage tanks. I always worry I won't have enough water to keep my containers watered during dry part of summer. Makes sense to me to slow the drainage by putting holes in the side of my buckets. Glad you addressed that in your comment.

[@alwayzbluepoolz2922]

Really like the idea of running drill in reverse...that thought has never occurred to me.

[@joecraig7581]

Glad to see you back on here ... GOD BLESS

[@tlnelson7598]

I also drill a couple on the side at the bottom edge. Just in case the bucket to sitting on the ground and the lower holes get plugged.

[@naikarivera-deutsch92]

I bought 5 gallon containers and did what you taught us on this KZbin video. I’m proud of myself for getting them done right.

[@HollisNancysHomestead]

👍

[@jeanfleissner1660]

Thanks for going over preparation for next growing season. ❤️

[@papablueshirt]

Nice tips, the reversing the drill is a good tip that will help people for years. I put a paper towel on the bottom of all of my pots, keeps the soil in until it settles, then it decays away. I also put worms in my mix, and they love the paper towels ; 0)

[@ipeefreely2364]

I work at a Bakery and I save all our frosting buckets. They're all food grade n BPA free. I usually grown tomatoes in buckets and my squash in the ground. Some reason the Gophers in my area don't like the squash roots but I'd you stick tomatoes in the ground they will devour them instantly

[@GillianHannaOP]

Container gardening is awesome ❣️🥒🍎🍇🥗☀️

[@giselam5566]

You folks are the hardest working people I know. You produce so much of everything. Do you have a farm stand? How much of this do you can ? (Or sell). I am always so amazed when I see your accomplishments. Gisela in San Diego.

[@ameliagfawkes512]

I use paper in the bottom of all containers. It stops drier compost falling out, but it doesn't stop the water draining. Newspaper is just fine, but I tend to use kitchen towel because it holds together longer. One sheet will do quite a few smaller containers or one large one. You could probably use cardboard too. By the time the paper breaks down, the compost is already fairly compact and/or full of roots.

[@SJA-ox3hs]

Don't use color lowes blue or homedepot orange, don't let them freeze. And as you said no UV while in storage.Also when you drill use a tarp makes a mess of plastic.

[@Bigfoottehchipmunk]

I use those for my chicken waterer and to store chicken feed outdoors under our coop. They do seem to hold up to the weather pretty well. Now that I think about it, the first chicken waterer was an icing bucket my daughter, who was a baker at the time, left at our house when she made someone's graduation cake. :)

[@anapaulacrawford5837]

Was so awesome to see you guy's again! What a great information. Thank you so much for what you do! God bless!

[@giselam5566]

You folks are the hardest working people I know. You produce so much of everything. Do you have a farm stand? How much of this do you can ? (Or sell). I am always so amazed when I see your accomplishments. Gisela in San Diego.

[@deliastanley3921]

Hi Gisela, I’m in Oceanside 😊

[@gocanes2]

I worked in plastics industry for many yrs, hdpe is "high density polyethylene "

[@crazydee1955]

I love you guys!!! Thanks for the info.

[@Philhoppermiller]

I have been away from your channel for a couple of years. Lost my wife in 2019, had health issues in 2020-2021, and am just now getting back in the swing of things. I always loved your channel. I have looked in on you from time to time but not regularly. I look forward to regular visits to your vlog. I learn so much from you and Nancy. How's the fishing in Flordia these days? Oh and, Happy New Year!

[@sandy-rr1by]

food grade plastic is recyclable, as noted by the "2" in the triangle. love the reverse-drill tip!

[@jacquelines3685]

I just discovered your AWESOME Channel today!! I have binged watched all your videos and I'm a NEW SUBBIE! Keep them coming & I love your Personality & Spirit 🫑🌶️🍅🥒🥔🥬❤️❤️❤️💚

[@HollisNancysHomestead]

Welcome to the family Jacqueline❤️❤️🐶

[@jessicaperez1370]

Woohoo can't wait for the spring

[@leerocks3859]

Hollis, Nancy and Bing Bing 💗 Great way to start 2022 💗 God Bless and TY 🤟🏼

[@wesleybullock814]

Sir would you use food grade 5 gallon buckets that have had use Frier oil in them... I got a few of these from a restaurant.....????? I of course will wash them out...

[@_evilqueen]

Happy New Year! Hope you all have a healthy and happy 2022!.... that reverse drill tip is pro level, thanks!

[@ocachisu]

I remember when you two were still up North. I'm so proud of your progress and success. Watching your videos are not only educational but healing. God bless you and your beautiful wife 🙏 ❤ thank you for saving the earth

[@moonshynegirl172]

This was soooo helpful. I get square buckets free from work. Just a bit larger than 5 gallons. I only have a 1/2 inch bit, but I think I can make it work.

[@johnbrzenksforearm8295]

If your bucket sits on a flat surface, I recommend cutting 2 or 3 one inch wide notches on the lip on the bottom of the bucket so the water can drain from underneath the bucket.

[@richierich5369]

Great advice on making holes in plastic containers. Cutting out circular portions of weed prevention cloth and putting them in bottom of containers works for me to prevent soil loss from containers.

[@garrymoore2161]

A simple sheet of 2-ply cheesecloth in the bottom of your bucket will keep excess soil loss to a minimum. If course, some will always leach out with the passing water.

[@janicenorris8726]

It's so great to have you back. Love learning about gardening and life from you both. God bless you and your family. Can't wait for those cooking videos.

[@mousiebrown1747]

Yes, please! More cooking videos.

[@gerrymarmee3054]

Amazingly, the grocery store bakeries that have given me frosting buckets do not recycle them. So it is great to get them and use them.

[@williamallison1029]

Started growing in containers last year and you are correct little to no soil lose it has been an informative video thanks BA Antrim N Ireland

[@caroline61804]

Thank you. Very much needed but many still do not realize how needed it is for themselves yet

[@tammiemeadows5278]

The reverse setting on the drill for the holes was exactly what I needed to do! I could never get a good cut before. Thank you 🙌🏻

[@HollisNancysHomestead]

👍

[@SuperJellicoe]

Spade drill bits are dangerous on thin material. Use a hole saw or a tapered drill bit. You will save yourself from sprain wrist or more serious injures.

[@soulehawk]

Why do you not drill on the sides an inch up from the bottom or 1/2 inch? Would leave room for some bottom water in summer.

[@mollycatcolorado9252]

Thanks for the tips on successfully drilling holes in the buckets! I will definitely switch the type of drill bit I’ve been using and remember to go in reverse.

[@ronweldon5892]

Great tip on reverse drilling. Would have never thought of that. I get all my containers from restaraunts. They beg people to take them. I just started watching your channel preparing myself for next season.I live in zone 6b so my season is rather short in MA. I'm a DAV and have been looking for table gardening tips. I like the way you built yours. In Massachusetts with snowy winters and rainy springs I plan on placing my table legs up on bricks to avoid ground contact. Will probably only build 2 tables to start with and may add to to that in time. Will see how I am able to manage that first. I've only seen 2 of your videos so far but I'm sure will get to them all. So far I love the way you explain everything for me, a clueless, never before grower. Thanks much for all you both do here, and may God Bless the 3 of you! Dogs are people too! Lol

[@ramonajolley1966]

HAPPY NEW YEAR to you and Nancy.

[@Schmidtzypedia]

happy new year, have you guys done any bokashi composting? would make a good video if so!

[@cynforrest]

Reverse! Brilliant- thank you. It’s Spring in So Calif and I’m prepping for my first container garden. Exciting! Appreciate all the info you share.

[@judgetoogood1033]

Donut shops will give them to you for free. They come with lids. They usually carry jellies, custards, etc.

[@bettietomlin273]

Hello Hollis & Miss Nancy…started watching a while ago. Today I signed up! April 22, 2023) Your onions are epic. I love seeing you both work so peacefully together and your love for Jesus shows and is comforting for my soul. Keep on working in the vineyard and I hope your back pain ease up!🫶🏽🙏🏾👩🏽‍🌾🙋🏽‍♀️

[@tomkelly4516]

I picked up my 5 gal buckets at Walmart, in the paint section. They were half the price of Home Depot.

[@denisegilkeson695]

I’m using pea rock in my buckets!

[@johnndavis7647]

When I stack buckets like that they get stuck together. So I lay the stacks on their sides for storage. Thanks for all you do.

[@mousiebrown1747]

Happy New Year, y’all! Very best to you in 2022. I’m trying to grow in 3 & 5 gal buckets, and some small and some 15 gal fabric pots. Guess I better upgrade my pots to bigger holes!!! I trust your experience. 😁

[@tammibolender3785]

If you have a Firehouse Subs near you they sell their 5 gallon pickle buckets for $2 each and the proceeds from those sales go to buying equipment for first responders.

[@ardenpeters4386]

donut shops sell them too

[@bengali481]

No one gives buckets away any more!

[@wolfingreen7293]

Most all buckets are food grade, #2 buckets. You just need to know what was in it previously if it's not a new bucket.

[@ritalr15]

I thank you for the tip to use the drill backwards for the holes

[@bigteeist]

New year new beginning 🙏🏾

[@maryellenyork2819]

Thank you

[@chrismichellehall9616]

Hope u and ur wife had a good Christmas

[@daciasdiy1861]

Use a soildeeing iron to make holes . That way u don’t have to crack any

[@soniadoss1856]

How do you keep your buckets from sticking together? And if they do, what's the best way to get them apart?

[@grahamreddog8251]

With the holes in them the don't seem to create the vacuum seal and get stuck together as bad

[@risenshinegarden1623]

That's what I do. I go to I Ingles bakery and ask for their buckets Enjoyed the video 😀

[@juanitaallison2199]

HAPPY! NEW YEAR 2022🎉Hollis, Nancy, Bing, Bing and Nancy's Mom.✝️🙏

[@phylvalen9991]

Amazing videos thanks so much. I don't have a drill and use an old soldering iron to make holes; they're smaller too do there's no soil leakage, you just need to make more of them. It's no effort though. Take care

[@cathysteele924]

Your content is consistently helpful, inspiring, and fun! God bless! ❤️✝️

[@HollisNancysHomestead]

Mission accomplished ❤️

[@buddyholley3151]

Firehouse Sandwich shops have the 5-gallon pickle buckets that they sell for $3 with the lid. All the proceeds from the sale of buckets go to charity.

[@Fishing-jb7cy]

Living in South Florida I had given up on vegetable gardening because the weeds are just horrible down here I love the idea of growing in 5 gallon buckets I am definitely going to give it a try

[@deboraheversole1303]

My favorite verse..glad to see you back.

[@clem24u]

The drill in reverse IS the tip of the day. Restaurants have those buckets as well.

[@megaflux7144]

..or dont be a moron and drill 3/4 in. holes in plastic buckets with a spade bit.

[@janisgore8393]

Greetings from Virginia..have been using your bucket method for a few years..Only problem i have encountered is when my pepper plants get large the buckets have a tendency to blow over in high winds..So I put a 18" round stake in the ground and put the bucket over the stake..problem solved

[@HollisNancysHomestead]

Have you seen my 5 gallon bucket grow table video? It works great.

[@HollisNancysHomestead]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/eXjbY4itpMqcq7c

[@gjsmimi4474]

Don't know how I've missed this video! I started using buckets after watching some of your other videos, but seeing how you drill the holes is a gamechanger!

[@HollisNancysHomestead]

Glad it was helpful!

[@jimhagler2242]

Glad to see you back on the channel. Have missed you guys and am excited for the future. Jim and Judy in Texas.

[@jeboutdoors377]

Hello great video. How would you plant lettuce by plant or seeds. Can you do carrots in 5 or 2 gallon bucket.

[@lauriefillman307]

Ask your local grocery store bakery for frosting buckets! Free or cheap!

[@gen81465]

Near the end of the video, there's a large pit fire. Do you ever use the remnants of that as bio-char in your compost?

[@Sweetsofheaven]

Thank you for sharing God bless you

[@ruthwolf7697]

Thank you for a great demonstration. I've broken a lot of buckets & planters before but will try your method this time. Your videos are so great and I love it that you and Nancy always put our Lord 1st. Thank you again!

[@ericataylor1708]

Happy New Years to you and yours 😊 Thanks for sharing!

[@puddintang8034]

Woo hoo I feel spoiled two videos in one week! Praying for the new year to bring y’all peaceful blessings.

[@brighthorizonhomestead3708]

good to see videos coming from you all again. watched you for a long time and was always pleased to see how much harvest you get from the bucket garden. added several buckets to my garden last year. will be doing it again this year!

[@HollisNancysHomestead]

We love our buckets too! ❤️❤️❤️

[@olympewalser4865]

Thank You Nancy and Hollis . Very good tips and very well explained . God Bless You 🙏🕊️🇨🇵💗🇺🇲

[@MrMarkar1959]

👍🏼 i used a 3/8 drill bit and drilled thru 5 stacked 7 gallon plastic pots✌🏼

[@godsgreenacreshomestead708]

I have made that mistake in drilling holes in the buckets and am so thankful for the tip on going in reverse!! Many blessings to you, Texas Deb 😁

[@HollisNancysHomestead]

Yes ma’am Deb. Everyone makes the same mistake. I shattered a many a bucket before I figured it out. Enjoy your container garden this spring. Have a peaceful weekend ❤️

[@Aussiehomestead1965]

HDPE is High Density Polyethylene. Food grade buckets.