Beginnings of a five gallon bucket winter garden

[cajundetector]

Thank you

Not sure where you’re plants are located, but leggy and etiolated (light green/white) is a sign of lack of sun. If they’re green, it’s not light they’re lacking. Plants are a lot like folks….without exercise they become weak. The strength of a stalk can be greatly increased with exercise (wind). Setting up a fan a distance away from the plants (think breeze, not hurricane) will cause the stalks/trunks to toughen up/thicken and not get as leggy. As someone else said…..drill holes in the bottom of the buckets, overwatering is death. Best of luck, share pics as they grow up.

Edit: breeze doesn’t have to be constant. Couple hours a day will suffice. Also, you want to start air soon after germination….once they’re 12” tall with no support, the wind can beat them to death.

thank you wolf!!! I moved them into more direct light today. I’m in south Louisiana where the temp still reached 82 degrees. I’ll definately keep you posted

 

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[mjb Mike]

I grow stuff year round in my garden here in Maryland.research the plaints that do good in your temps.Timming of planting fall and winter plants is key.A few weeks early and plant like broccoli and and lettuce will bolt.To late and the real cold weather will get to them before they mature. I dont spary any of my plants for bugs I know in my area if i plant potatoes bugs destroy them.they come for the potatoes but end up eating other plant so i just dont plant potatoes. Deer are a real problem here Years ago I put up a cheap electric fence and the problem is solved. Year after year they learn not to mess with it after getting shocked a few times.First few years i would leave the fence on all the time but they have learned and only turn it on now maybe a week out of each month.

 

[pepperj]

Thank you

thank you wolf!!! I moved them into more direct light today. I’m in south Louisiana where the temp still reached 82 degrees. I’ll definately keep you posted

Lettuces like cooler temperatures actually.
If your daytime temperatures are high (+50s)
Put the buckets outside for natural light, and breeze.

It's called hardening them.
They'll do a lot better.
The Lettuces in the garden have endured temperatures as low as 24F this fall.
We just cover them with sheets.
The daytime times are still in the mid 50sF.

 

[cajundetector]

Lettuces like cooler temperatures actually.
If your daytime temperatures are high (+50s)
Put the buckets outside for natural light, and breeze.

It's called hardening them.
They'll do a lot better.
The Lettuces in the garden have endured temperatures as low as 24F this fall.
We just cover them with sheets.
The daytime times are still in the mid 50sF.

I planted the lettuce way too early pepps 🌶️!! Daytime we are still reaching 82🤣. They sprouted one set of true leaves with a weak stem and fell over. I got pissed and pulled them today lol! Cabbage is fairing much better ( or at least we’ll see).

 

[cajundetector]

I planted the lettuce way too early pepps 🌶️!! Daytime we are still reaching 82🤣. They sprouted one set of true leaves with a weak stem and fell over. I got pissed and pulled them today lol! Cabbage is fairing much better ( or at least we’ll see).

Also, I have true respect for you guys up north. We freak out when temps drop below 30. It becomes like a state of emergency 🤣

I planted the lettuce way too early pepps 🌶️!! Daytime we are still reaching 82🤣. They sprouted one set of true leaves with a weak stem and fell over. I got pissed and pulled them today lol! Cabbage is fairing much better ( or at least we’ll see).

 

[ncsuwolf]

Also, I have true respect for you guys up north. We freak out when temps drop below 30. It becomes like a state of emergency 🤣

If you haven’t done so already look up your planting zone. Sounds like you’re in central/southern la, which is subtropical. If I was in your shoes, I’d be planting outside instead of buckets……especially for brassicas (kale, collards, broccoli, etc). Your biggest problem will be cabbage
Loopers year round. I had to spray mine yesterday after the little white butterflies made their visit.

USDA has a map….but gurneys is more user friendly in my opinion

 

[pepperj]

If you haven’t done so already look up your planting zone. Sounds like you’re in central/southern la, which is subtropical. If I was in your shoes, I’d be planting outside instead of buckets……especially for brassicas (kale, collards, broccoli, etc). Your biggest problem will be cabbage
Loopers year round. I had to spray mine yesterday after the little white butterflies made their visit.

I'm in 5a+, on elevated land.
But have a body of water that helps with the climate.

 

[ncsuwolf]

I'm in 5a+, on elevated land.
But have a body of water that helps with the climate.

A body of water is a great equalizer (easily 3-4 degrees)

 

[pepperj]

A body of water is a great equalizer (easily 3-4 degrees)

Till there's a few ft of ice, then it's not worth anything in regards to keeping my space warm.

 

[ncsuwolf]

Till there's a few ft of ice, then it's not worth anything in regards to keeping my space warm.

Not sure where you’re located….was referring to water that rarely/never freezes

My in-laws live on a river in eastern Nc. I hunt 20 miles inland. It’s always 4-5 degrees colder at the hunt club than when I leave in-laws driveway.

 

[cajundetector]

If you haven’t done so already look up your planting zone. Sounds like you’re in central/southern la, which is subtropical. If I was in your shoes, I’d be planting outside instead of buckets……especially for brassicas (kale, collards, broccoli, etc). Your biggest problem will be cabbage
Loopers year round. I had to spray mine yesterday after the little white butterflies made their visit.

USDA has a map….but gurneys is more user friendly in my opinion

Thank you wolf 👍!!!

 

[cajundetector]

Thank you wolf 👍!!!

Thought I would just give an update on the state of my bucket garden. Black buckets are newly sprouting lettuce and cabbage. As for the rest I’m fairly pleased also.