Hi all! I’m poor. I’m attempting to get my balcony garden started without spending more than 30 dollars. (I’m probably nuts, I know.) It looks like a good chunk of that will be going to a water hose and sink attachment so I don’t have to haul a milk jug of water back and forth a hundred times, so I’m hurting a bit on funds for fertilizer. To make matters worse, the landlord says I’m not allowed to compost anywhere in the apartment or on the property. (I would just hide it under my kitchen sink, what she doesn’t know won’t hurt her etc, but there’s other reasons why I can’t unfortunately.)
Is there any option for fertilizing my plants with like… five dollars left? If I mix coffee grounds and eggshells into the soil will it do anything other than bother the local slugs? I’ve seen that stuff about letting plant scraps sit in a bucket to make “tea” but what I read said it can’t replace fertilizer - is there a way to make it so that it can?
I have a bag of epsom salts, a strong appetite for veggies, and the willingness to steal the neighbor’s lawn clippings if I must.
I’m also willing to accept that I may have to forgo the water hose C:
Some municipalities will have programs where you can get free or low cost compost; I’d ask around there, as well as look for local gardening clubs and mutual aid groups to see if anyone has some to spare.
Also, both rabbit and Guinea pig droppings can be pretty good soil additions, if you know anyone who keeps either as companions/fosters or a rescue organization for either.
Also also, if you have any friends who keep fish, the water left over from when they change the water out in their tanks is also nutrient rich
I second asking around on local forums! Someone might have leftovers lying around, and containers too if you need some.