Editor's note: This is a continuation of a series of articles on low cost gardening. See Tip#1 on planning; Tip #2 on Soil; Tip # 3 on Compost; Tip # 4 Tools; Tip # 5 Containers; Tip #6 Seeds; Tip #7 Pollinators. 

Gardening has mental health benefits for all, young and old. It reduces stress and has been shown to reduce cortisol levels. In the elderly suffering from dementia, it decreases agitation. And no matter what your age, gardening can be a social activity that connects you to others in a healthy way. 

It can also cost money. If you’ve got the budget, you can afford the time-saving products and devices within your means. If you don’t have the budget, don’t give up! There are a lot of ways to garden with very low or no expenditure of funds.  

A lot of what I’m sharing here is information I’ve gleaned from obsessive watching of YouTube videos, reading lots of articles and plant studies, and my own successes and failures. I am not an expert gardener—far from it! Just sharing what I’ve learned. 

Here’s hoping these tips help. 

Tip #8: Amendments (fertilizers and micronutrients)

Your garden plants will need certain nutrients. The big three are nitrogen (N), phosphorous (P), and potassium (K). Nitrogen helps with green growth (shoots); Phosphorous helps with root development (roots). Potassium helps with blossoms and produce production (fruits). So shoots, roots, fruits—or surf (srf). When fertilizers are sold in stores, they will have three numbers on them for the NPK ratio. Depending on what stage your plants are at will help you figure out if the fertilizer is right for your needs. 

Store-bought fertilizers can be expensive! Also, the chemical ones, especially Miracle Gro products, will help your plants that get applied with the chemical, but may cause other problems and do not replenish the soil or help build it in any way. There is some concern that Miracle Gro products actually deplete the soil and eventually cause dependence on more and more Miracle Gro chemical products for fertilization and disease and pest recovery. It’s recommended that, if you purchase fertilizers, you look for organic, non-chemical products (like Dr. Earth, Ocean Forest, or Happy Frog, etc.). If you are buying Miracle Gro, buy their organic line of products and steer clear of the chemicals. 

Cheap. You can make your own fertilizers, just like you make your own compost. You can add amendments like crushed fish bones (washed, baked, crushed) for added benefits. You can make compost tea, which is a liquid application of your compost. You can use wood ash and urine. Yes! Gross but natural. But don’t just pee on your plants! Urine needs to be watered down to work effectively and not burn the vegetation. You may also need time as an element in creating your amendments. Be sure to plan ahead. 

Video: You may not need both liquid fertilizer and compost, but this depends on your circumstances. I recommend watching: 

Compost tea is effective and a wonderful way to feed plants. We use it weekly on our plants as a way of fertilizing and the results are amazing. Check out our new clothing line! http:www.freshpickedapparel.com

Urine can be used to break down compost and as a fertilizer when mixed with wood ash!

To learn more, visit http://www.mountaingardensherbs.com/

Your plants may also need micro nutrients. Things like calcium, boron, and magnesium. You can wash your egg shells (those not used in the compost), let them dry and grind them to a powder to use for calcium and add to the soil. You can use Borax (an old 20 mule team laundry additive! Still available) in a solution of water for a foliar spray (spray on leaves) for boron. You can use Epsom salts in a solution of water for magnesium and sulfur. While plants may like quite a bit of calcium, most micronutrients are needed and wanted only in small quantities.  

You might also need something to help your soil drain well. Perlite is a light, white, pebbly material that is ideal for this and can be purchased at a garden center. You can alternatively use sand. Don’t take sand from the beach. That’s not permitted. But if you know someone with a project going on and they have left-over sand, ask for a bucketful or two. You may be able to return the kindness when your plants produce vegetables and you can share the harvest. Just don’t use sand if your soil is clay-like, or you’ll end up with a cement-like concoction! 

Do your research and figure out what your plants need; what your soil needs. And look for those cheap solutions. Keep track of what you do in your planning notebook or garden log. 

Good luck and happy gardening. 

(This is not a scientific poll.)