If you’re looking to start a garden but are limited on space or budget, a DIY bucket garden might just be the perfect solution for you.

This tiered setup allows you to grow a variety of plants in simple, affordable buckets, and it works wonders for patios, balconies, and small backyards.

I’ve personally tried different gardening setups, but this bucket garden has been one of the most practical and enjoyable to maintain. 

Step 1: Gather Your Materials

You’ll need to prepare:

• Buckets (5-Gallon): about 12 pieces.
• Lumber: 2x4 or 2x6 boards.
• Drill and Drill Bit.
• Screws (2.5-3 inch).
• Saw.
• Level.

Step 2: Prepare the Wood for the Frame

You’ll need four vertical legs (around 4 feet tall each) to support each level of buckets. For each tier, cut horizontal beams a bit wider than the width of four buckets.

Here’s how I did it:

1. Cut the Legs and Beams: I cut four vertical supports from 2x4s at about 4 feet each. Then, I cut three horizontal beams for each tier (one for each row of buckets). 
2. Sand the Edges: This step isn’t essential, but it helps to sand down any rough edges for a smoother, more polished look.
3. Pre-Drill Holes: Pre-drilling the holes in the wood makes it much easier to assemble without splitting the wood.

Step 3: Assemble the Frame

You start by attaching the lowest horizontal beam to the vertical supports then use your level to make sure everything is even.

Next, you attach the next two horizontal beams for the middle and top tiers, spacing each level about 1-1.5 feet apart.

Finally, you just secure crossbars between the vertical supports to hold the buckets in place.

Step 4: Prepare the Buckets

With your frame ready, let’s move on to the buckets themselves. You need to drill several holes in the bottom of each bucket to prevent waterlogging.

You can also add a few holes along the lower sides for better airflow. Besides, adding a thin layer of gravel or small rocks at the bottom of each bucket helps with drainage and prevents soil compaction.

Now you can ue a high-quality potting mix and plant your favorite plants. Remember to water each bucket thoroughly after planting.

Step 5: Arrange the Buckets on the Frame

With the buckets filled and planted, you place the buckets on each tier of the structure, and position them so that taller plants are on the top row, with shorter ones below.

This setup allows each plant to get adequate sunlight without shading others.

A Few Tips for Success

You always check that the drainage holes aren’t blocked and avoid planting too many plants in one bucket, as this limits space and nutrients for each plant.

If your garden doesn’t get even sunlight, rotate the buckets periodically so each plant gets adequate exposure.