This year is my first experience with growing in containers outdoors, other than the first few weeks. I usually plant directly in the ground. And after all the issues I have had with them getting knocked over and dug out, if putting them directly in the ground is an option, I would do that. Just dig a good size hole and fill it with whatever you would have filled the buckets with. I love Fox Farm. I started using them about 3 years ago and Im hooked. Very easy to use, adjust, etc. Every plant I have used it on has responded well. Fox Farm is cheap in my opinion. I get the 3/ 1 gallon pack on ebay. If you are not having issues with animals like I am having, using buckets is great. They can be moved if needed. Which is a big plus, especially because the suns angle changes over time and you might get good light early on, but not later in the season. Still I prefer to transplant directly into the ground, a well prepared ground that is.