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🌱 $50 Budget Urban Farming: What I Grew in 30 Days (And How You Can Too)
Think you need a backyard and big bucks to grow your own food? Think again. My tiny apartment garden cost less than a fancy dinner—and it fed me for a month.
🏙️ Why I Started Urban Farming (On a Budget)
I live in a 700 sq. ft. city apartment with no garden, no balcony, and definitely no green thumb. But between skyrocketing grocery prices, pesticide concerns, and a desire to get my hands dirty (without leaving my desk job), I decided to try a $50 urban farming challenge:
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Grow as much edible produce as possible
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In 30 days
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With minimal space and tools
Spoiler: I ended up harvesting 8+ ingredients, learned a ton about sustainability—and had way more salad than expected.
🧺 What I Bought (My $50 Urban Farm Kit)
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Seeds (Lettuce, Spinach, Coriander, Basil, Mint, Tomato, Microgreens) | $12 |
| Reused containers & jars | $0 |
| Organic potting soil (10kg) | $10 |
| 3 Grow bags (breathable fabric) | $9 |
| Spray bottle (for misting) | $2 |
| Worm compost/organic fertilizer | $7 |
| LED grow light strip (cheap 5ft version) | $10 |
| Total | $50 |
Most containers were recycled yogurt tubs, plastic bottles, or takeout boxes—great for sprouting and herbs.
📅 What I Grew (In Just 30 Days)
1. Microgreens (Radish + Mustard) – Ready in 7 days
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Fastest win. High in nutrients. Great in wraps and omelets.
2. Mint + Basil – Thrived indoors
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Needed little sun. Perfect for teas and pasta.
3. Spinach + Lettuce (Loose-leaf varieties) – Harvest in 18–25 days
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Grows back after cutting. Surprisingly crisp and fresh.
4. Tomato (Cherry variety) – Started sprouting but needs 60+ days
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I cheated and added it for future results. Still under budget!
5. Coriander (Cilantro) – Grew like wildfire
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Aromatic, brightened every curry and chutney.
🧠 Lessons I Learned
✅ You can grow food in a windowsill
Light is key, but even low-light plants like mint and lettuce do well near indirect sun.
✅ Microgreens are a beginner’s best friend
No soil needed (can grow on kitchen tissue), fast returns, and low commitment.
✅ Compost tea works wonders
DIY liquid fertilizer from banana peel + water gave my herbs a noticeable growth boost.
✅ Gardening = therapy
Misting my greens became a daily mindfulness ritual.
🍽️ What I Ate From My Garden
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Mint + basil chutney with toast
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Spinach scrambled eggs
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Homegrown salad with lemon dressing
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Microgreens pesto
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Coriander rice (so fragrant!)
I didn’t replace grocery shopping entirely—but I significantly cut down on herbs, greens, and toppings.
🌿 Tips for Starting Your Own $50 Urban Garden
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Start small & fast: Go for quick growers like microgreens or spinach.
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Reuse everything: Cups, jars, egg cartons, broken mugs—perfect DIY pots.
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Use kitchen scraps: Regrow spring onions, garlic, or fenugreek from pantry items.
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Don’t overwater: Most plants hate soggy roots.
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Track your growth: A small garden journal (or app) helps stay consistent.
💡 Why This Matters (Beyond the Food)
Urban farming isn’t just about saving money. It:
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Reduces food miles 🌍
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Builds food security 🍅
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Fights stress 🌱
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Teaches patience + responsibility 🧘
And the best part? It made me fall in love with the slow joy of growing something real.
🌻 Final Thoughts
If you think farming is only for rural folks or Instagram-perfect homesteads, think again. With $50, a few containers, and curiosity, you can turn a corner of your home into a living, growing oasis.
I did it in 30 days. So can you.
