Manure crops for Apartments.

Hey all,

So my older sister has bought an apartment in Sydney, She tries to grow plants from the woolworths discover garden seed packs which are a sales tactic.

These are seeds in coir, they always die because she only adds water to them and does not plant them, in soil, nor will she fertilise them.

She does try and harvest them.

So what I want to think about is how to make a passive system to get nutrients and build soil, without my sister having to compost or do any work.

Basically I want to idiot proof herb gardening, because most people think plants just grow on water.


The space is 0.3m by 1.4m, max depth is 1.2m.

will get lots of wind and water,  gets a lot of shade, temperate climate.


Needs nitrogen fixers,
Please suggest!

Needs manures,
Please suggest!

Needs yields,
Please suggest!

trellises are an option,

trees are ok if grafted.  

no composting, no fertilising,

I would recommend that she grow some peas and beans.

To me, these seem like a perfect green manure for an apartment dweller.

Plus she may also already be growing plants that could be used as green manure. Leaves off her existing plant could be used to mulch the plants.

I am sure the forum members can think of some more.

One thing I know is that you can’t change other people. If your sis’ likes to water and she likes to nibble on things that she grows, work with her areas of interest. She would probably love a little edible bog garden. Put a pond liner in that rectangle, fill it with the coir that she buys, then add some watercress, water celery, wasabi, bog blueberry, and cattails. The wind will blow topsoil, leaves, and seeds into that pond. Over time she’ll have some plants that sprout, rot and create nutrition for the survivors. You and your sis’ will learn a lot about each other and the plants, frogs, birds and other visitors to your garden bog.

Is she allowed to own a rabbit? Rabbit poop can be put directly on a garden.

Or a house Bantum chicken? That poop is a little strong, but if she uses coir as the bedding, and uses that to fill a planter and then put seeds on top when it's full, it might work.  Bonus is she'll get so cute little eggs that will be really yummy if she feeds her friend some quality greens.

I'd suggest she pee in a bottle, 2 cm of pee then 10 cm of water and use that to water her plants. I suspect that would go over like a lead balloon, but figured I'd mention it anyway!

Can you help her set up the area so she's got two tubes in a planter that is the 1.4 meter long max that you mention. Tell her to just drop her veg scraps and veg washing water into one tube or the other. The scraps will compost on their own, particularly if you can convince her to pick up worms the next time it rains and toss them in the tube.  

Amy Gardener wrote:One thing I know is that you can’t change other people. If your sis’ likes to water and she likes to nibble on things that she grows, work with her areas of interest. She would probably love a little edible bog garden. Put a pond liner in that rectangle, fill it with the coir that she buys, then add some watercress, water celery, wasabi, bog blueberry, and cattails. The wind will blow topsoil, leaves, and seeds into that pond. Over time she’ll have some plants that sprout, rot and create nutrition for the survivors. You and your sis’ will learn a lot about each other and the plants, frogs, birds and other visitors to your garden bog.

The space is 0.3m by 1.4m, max soil depth is 1.2m.


I was more thinking along micro greens, a pond is not really an option in Sydney apartments.
I was thinking a couple of bi-annual nitrogen fixers with beauty, so some harden bergia on a trellis, coupled with, some herbs,
alliums, and some brassicas,
chives, mustard, basil. parsley.

A worm tower in the planter, and the planter being a wicking system, connected to the balcony weep hole.
Bell siphon,

my sister lives 2 hours away from me, longer if Sydney traffic.

Jay Angler wrote:Is she allowed to own a rabbit?

... no rabbits are food not pets.

Sounds like you've got a plan Alex. Have fun!
If anyone else is reading for tiny shade garden ideas, my mini bog garden is 2' wide, 6' long and 3' deep, surrounded by stones which cover the liner. I've never fertilized the garden; earthworms chomp down the debris and feed the soil. If you plan to try wasabi, check out the helpful suggestions here:
https://www.thewasabistore.com/thewasabistore/r6z2brm2hzzmyh45c5swst6wy955c8

Amy Gardener wrote:Sounds like you've got a plan Alex. Have fun!
If anyone else is reading for tiny shade garden ideas, my mini bog garden is 2' wide, 6' long and 3' deep, surrounded by stones which cover the liner. I've never fertilized the garden; earthworms chomp down the debris and feed the soil. If you plan to try wasabi, check out the helpful suggestions here:
https://www.thewasabistore.com/thewasabistore/r6z2brm2hzzmyh45c5swst6wy955c8

I have a plan, but I always seek out knowledge and wisdom and I appreciate all the feedback!

I aspire better things, Lol!