What are Bato buckets?

bato buckets for beginners productBato buckets, or “Dutch buckets,” are a variation of the media bed technique that consists of a series of small media beds (in buckets). The buckets are typically arranged in a simple row or two with one irrigation line and one drainage line for each row. This design makes Bato buckets one of the simplest techniques.

Note: The plumbing for a Bato system is simple, but does vary some depending on the grower and their needs. You can learn more about this setup in our Bato buckets mini course.

Like most media beds, Bato buckets can be used in both hydroponics and aquaponics (although hydroponics is easier and more popular). The technique has been widely adopted in areas with non-arable land, or where conventional or sustainable field agriculture is not appropriate, and offers several benefits to gardeners and farmers.

The benefits of Bato buckets for beginners:

  • They work well in controlled environments for year-round growing
  • Most setups decrease labor for many crops
  • They save space compared to conventional techniques, especially for large and vining crops
  • Well-managed systems can conserve huge amounts of nutrients and water, even in a flow-to-waste setup

As you can see, Bato buckets have a lot to offer. They’re a great technique for the blooming hydroponic grower or anyone learning to design different systems.

bato buckets for beginners tomato cropking

Best crops: large, vining crops

The most popular crops for Bato buckets are large and/or vining crops like tomatoes (most hydroponic tomatoes sold in stores have been grown in Bato buckets), cucumbers, peppers, and eggplant. Many of these crops can be trellised and trained upward, creating rows of tall towering plants which are easy to access and monitor.

bato buckets for beginners tomato cropking

These aren’t the only types of crops that have been grown in Bato buckets, however. Theodore Huggins from CropKing explains that these crops are simply “the most common, most cultivated, and with the most data collected. Bato buckets allow for almost any indeterminate or even perennial crop to be grown…”

As always, we also encourage growers to try out new crops in their systems. You never know if you’ll find a winner until you try it!

Bato buckets use a simple 3-part design

bato buckets for beginners cropking 2

Bato beginners can design a system focusing on three main parts, each with its own components:

Feedlines

  • Reservoir (sump tank)
  • Pump (Active Aqua will work for most systems)
  • Main feedline tubing (poly tubing will work)
  • Smaller bucket-feed line tubing
  • Necessary fittings & connections

Bato bucket

  • Medium
  • Bench or floor

Drain line

  • 1 ½” Drain Line Tubing

The rest of the design varies based on layout and materials but is pretty simple. “Once you understand the basic patterns of how the buckets are designed to work,” says Theodore, “you then have to procure and manage each individual part of the three major components.”

Assembled, a Bato bucket system is typically set up with buckets staggered on a bench or the floor, with the feed line running water to the buckets from above, and the drain line (or return line) running water away from below.

bato buckets for beginners cropking

Growers may run both lines to and from a sump, using a recirculating system, or simply run the drain line to waste.

The flow-to-waste set up is often preferred by growers; when used correctly, irrigation and nutrients can be formulated and run with great precision. While recirculating systems are possible and do conserve a bit more water and nutrients, the solution must be monitored and adjusted as plants take up nutrients; flow-to-waste systems are simpler to manage as growers can mix one consistent solution on a scheduled basis.

While Bato bucket systems can be created using parts thrifted or bought from a hardware store, Theodore recommends buying a prefabricated system, which is more convenient and often ends up being more cost-effective in the long run.

Media choice depends on farm goals and values

After working with hundreds of Bato bucket growers, Theodore notes three most common media types used in Bato bucket systems: perlite, expanded clay, and (more recently) coconut coir. These can be used by themselves or together in different ratios.

Some growers have used rockwool as a medium, but the design of Bato buckets isn’t ideal for it. Perlite is the favored material for Bato buckets. bato buckets for beginners perlite hortamericas

“Perlite,” said Huggins, “is the most cost-effective, inert, and sterile material while still maintaining a beneficial air-to-water holding capacity… We start our tomato seeds in rockwool cubes, then transplant them into perlite.”

Hydroponic Substrate SelectionYour choice medium for your Bato buckets depends on factors like price, environmental impact, physical properties (like air to water ratio, weight, and longevity), as well as waste management.

To learn more about different hydroponic media, be sure to check out the Hydroponic Substrates course. 

4 common beginner mistakes to avoid

Theodore has 4 common mistakes and tips for new Bato bucket growers.

1- Irrigation and fertilizer problems. Not understanding the relationship between the strength of the fertilizer and the irrigation timing can lead to quick problems in any hydroponic system. The Bato bucket reservoir, medium chosen, as well as plant size and age, all play an intricate role in maintaining the proper fertilizer and irrigation programs.

2 – Not cleaning or sanitizing buckets in between crops. Some mediums can be used for multiple growing seasons but only with extra care and caution to not cultivate bacterial or fungal problems.

3 – Lack of IPM and preventative care for plants accompanied by slow reactions to pathological problems. The high density of Bato buckets can allow for bacterial, fungal, and insect problems to spread rapidly.

4 – Too little time spent in the greenhouse or with the system. Although Bato buckets allow for less cultivation labor, intensive management practices toward maintaining a status quo at all times are needed to ensure the harvest potential of the system. This is accomplished by having a close eye on all components of the system and the plants being grown.

Planning a system?

You’ll enjoy building a Bato bucket system. To support your long-term success, be sure to create farm goals, do thorough market research, and of course, start good management practices right away.

Bato buckets are a relatively simple system, but like all growing, it can still take a while to learn the ropes. Don’t expect to be a master Bato grower right away. Plan for about two years before you reach expert level.

“Take time to understand the checks and balances of the Bato Bucket System. The first 2 years of growing should be spent educating yourself and the people you are working with on the proper system and plant management techniques. This will allow an easier transition into a larger operation.”

We have to agree with Theodore there! Getting as much education under your belt as possible is a huge help to new farmers. A great place to start is through an Upstart University webinar.

Don’t miss it! Learn more from Crop King in this Upstart University mini-course.

In this course, you can learn: 

  • The history, design, and functionality of Bato buckets
  • The benefits of Bato buckets
  • Mediums for Bato buckets
  • Irrigation and feeding
  • Vining crops

This webinar is over but was jam-packed with information. Don’t worry—we’ve turned it into a course! Take the course here.

Upstart University

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