homestead.fyi / DUTCH-8

8-Bucket Dutch Bucket System

Eight 5 gal buckets in two rows on a 2x4 frame, drip-fed from a 27 gal reservoir, with a drain trough back to the tank.

Draft plan, generated from the model. Not yet build-tested.
8Buckets
88 x 40 inFrame
30 inHeight
8Plants
8 to 12 hrBuild time
~$327.00Materials, part estimate

Drawings All dimensions in inches

3D viewfinished
3D view
3D view, framingsiding and roof removed
3D view, framing
Front elevation
Front elevation 123 in 30 1/2 in
Right elevation
Right elevation 40 in 30 1/2 in
Plan viewfrom above
Plan view 123 in 40 in

Cut list: lumber Long-point lengths; angles noted

QtyStockLengthPartCut
12x481Rail fronton edge, between the legs
12x481Rail backon edge, between the legs
32x437Crosson edge, between the rails
42x416Leg

Cut list: sheet goods

PartStockSizeNote
Shelf front1/2 ply88 x 16strip, 16 in wide
Shelf back1/2 ply88 x 16strip, 16 in wide

Lumber cutting diagram Lengths chosen for the lowest cost; 1/8 in kerf, 1/2 in end trim

2x4 x 12 ft
Cross 1 37Cross 2 37Cross 3 37Leg 1 16Leg 2 16
2x4 x 10 ft
Rail front 81Leg 3 16Leg 4 16
2x4 x 8 ft
Rail back 81

Sheet cutting diagrams Dashed = openings to cut out

Sheet 1: 1/2 in plywood, 4 x 8 ft
Shelf front16 x 88Shelf back16 x 88

Shopping list $301.00 checked / $26.00 estimated

ItemStoreQtyEachLineNote
2x4x12 stud, SPFHome Depot1$7.12$7.12see lumber cutting diagram
2x4x10 stud, SPFHome Depot1$5.46$5.46see lumber cutting diagram
2x4x8 stud, SPFHome Depot1$4.15$4.15see lumber cutting diagram
15/32 in (1/2 in) sheathing plywood, 4x8 sheetLowe's1$32.26$32.26see sheet cutting diagrams
5 gal bucket with lid (Homer)Home Depot8$5.96$47.685 gal buckets
Perlite 4 cu ft (Viagrow)Home Depot1$36.67$36.67
Submersible pump, 250 gphHappy Hydro or Amazon1$28.95$28.95
27 gal storage tote with lid (HDX, black and yellow)Home Depot1$8.98$8.98reservoir
Outlet timer, 15 min on and offHome Depot1$14.00$14.00
1/2 in drip tubing, 100 ftHome Depot1$14.57$14.571/2 in tube
Drip emitters 2 GPH, 50 pack (Raindrip)Lowe's1$19.88$19.88drippers
Vinyl gutter, 10 ftSpence Hardware or Home Depot2$10.99$21.98drain trough
3/4 in PVC fittings, assortedHome Depot1$12.00$12.00bulkheads and fittings
3 in net pots, 25 packAC Infinity or Garden Supply Guys1$16.99$16.99
Hydroponic nutrient: General Hydroponics Flora trio, 1 quart eachPremier Hydro Shop1$44.84$44.84
Exterior wood screws #9 x 2.5 in, 1 lb boxHome Depot1$11.47$11.47
Total before tax~$327.00
Filled dot: price read from a store listing on Oct 20, 2026. Hollow dot: estimate. Prices come from the master price list, so they change when it changes.

Build steps

  1. Build the frame: four 2x4 legs, two rails and three cross pieces, on edge, and screw the two 16 in plywood strips on top.
  2. Drill each 5 gal bucket with a 1 in bulkhead drain at the bottom and a hole for the drip stake in the lid. Set a bucket on each position, 20 in apart.
  3. Fill each bucket with 3 gal of perlite or clay pebbles. Plant one tomato, pepper or cucumber seedling in each, in a net pot.
  4. Run the 1/2 in drip tube from the pump along the tops and put a stake and dripper in each bucket.
  5. Slope the gutter under the buckets down to the reservoir, and connect each bucket's drain to it with a short 1 in tube.
  6. Set a timer for 4 to 6 pump cycles of 10 minutes a day, and top up the reservoir and nutrient weekly.

Before you start