How to Grow Corn in 5-Gallon Buckets

Drill six to eight 1/2-inch drainage holes evenly spaced around the bottom of a 5-gallon bucket with a flat bottom and straight sides.

Place the bucket in its permanent location in an area that receives at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight a day.

Fill the container to within 2 inches of the rim with potting mixture. You can make your own potting medium by mixing equal parts of peat moss, garden loam and perlite. Add 10-10-10 fertilizer following the application rate on the container. An addition of 1/4 cup of lime per 5 gallons is also recommended. Mix thoroughly. This creates a lightweight soil that promotes good drainage and provides adequate aeration.

Plant four to six corn seeds to a depth of 2 inches and cover with soil. Although any corn can be grown in a large container, for best results select a dwarf variety such as "Golden Midget" or "Midget Hybrid" for growing corn in a 5-gallon bucket.

Water thoroughly until water runs freely from the bottom of the container. Keep soil moist until seedlings emerge in seven to 10 days. Water when soil dries 1 inch below the soil level. Container-grown plants require frequent watering, and may require daily watering during hot dry spells.

Fertilize with water-soluble fertilizer designed for vegetables when the corn is 4 to 6 inches high. Repeat every four weeks.

Group several containers of corn together to insure good pollination. Corn is cross-pollinated by the wind and needs nearby plants to produce well.