Essential supplies every urban farmer needs on hand
Why a Garden First Aid Kit?
Plant problems don’t wait for store hours. Having these supplies ready means you can:
- Act immediately when problems appear (hours matter!)
- Save plants that would otherwise die
- Prevent small problems from becoming disasters
- Save money by treating issues early
- Avoid multiple emergency trips to the store
Investment: ₹2,500-5,000 for complete kit
Shelf Life: Most products last 1-3 years if stored properly
Complete Garden First Aid Kit Checklist
🌱 Category 1: Pest Control (Budget: ₹800-1,500)
MUST HAVE
| Item | Use For | Shelf Life | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Neem Oil (250ml) | Aphids, whiteflies, mites, mealybugs, fungal diseases | 2-3 years | ₹200-400 |
| Insecticidal Soap (500ml) | Soft-bodied pests, emergency spray | 2 years | ₹300-500 |
| BT Spray (100ml) | Caterpillars only | 1-2 years | ₹250-450 |
| Diatomaceous Earth (500g) | Crawling insects, slugs, ants | Indefinite | ₹300-500 |
🦠 Category 2: Disease Treatment (Budget: ₹600-1,200)
MUST HAVE
| Item | Use For | Shelf Life | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Copper Fungicide (250g) | Bacterial & fungal diseases, blights | 2-3 years | ₹300-500 |
| Sulfur Powder/Spray (500g) | Powdery mildew, rust | 3+ years | ₹200-400 |
| Baking Soda (1kg) | Powdery mildew (mild cases) | 2+ years | ₹40-80 |
| Hydrogen Peroxide 3% (500ml) | Root rot, soil sanitization, fungus gnats | 1 year | ₹80-150 |
💊 Category 3: Nutrients & Fertilizers (Budget: ₹500-1,000)
MUST HAVE
| Item | Use For | Shelf Life | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Balanced NPK (20-20-20) 500g | General deficiencies, emergency feeding | 3+ years | ₹150-300 |
| Epsom Salt (1kg) | Magnesium & sulfur deficiency | Indefinite | ₹50-100 |
| Calcium Nitrate (500g) | Blossom-end rot, calcium deficiency | 2+ years | ₹200-400 |
| Iron Chelate (250g) | Iron deficiency (yellow new leaves) | 2 years | ₹300-500 |
🔧 Category 4: Tools & Supplies (Budget: ₹400-800)
RECOMMENDED
| Item | Use For | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Spray Bottle (2L) | Applying treatments | ₹100-200 |
| Pruning Shears | Removing diseased leaves/branches | ₹150-300 |
| Rubbing Alcohol 70% (500ml) | Tool sterilization, mealybug spot treatment | ₹80-150 |
| Disposable Gloves (box) | Safe handling of chemicals | ₹80-150 |
| Cotton Swabs | Spot treatment of pests | ₹40-80 |
| Plastic Bags (zip-lock) | Disposing diseased material | ₹50-100 |
📊 Category 5: Testing Equipment (Budget: ₹600-1,500)
RECOMMENDED
| Item | Use For | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| pH Meter or Test Kit | Check soil/water pH | ₹200-500 |
| Soil Moisture Meter | Prevent over/underwatering | ₹200-400 |
| Magnifying Glass (10x) | Identify tiny pests (spider mites) | ₹100-300 |
| Thermometer (min/max) | Monitor temperature extremes | ₹150-400 |
🎯 Category 6: Traps & Barriers (Budget: ₹300-600)
OPTIONAL
| Item | Use For | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Yellow Sticky Traps (10 pack) | Whiteflies, fungus gnats, aphids | ₹100-200 |
| Mosquito Dunks (BTI) | Fungus gnat larvae in soil | ₹300-500 |
| Copper Tape (5m roll) | Slug/snail barrier for pots | ₹200-400 |
Budget-Friendly Kit Options
💰 Starter Kit: ₹1,000-1,500
For beginners or small balcony gardens
- Neem oil (₹250)
- Baking soda (₹50)
- Epsom salt (₹60)
- Balanced NPK fertilizer (₹200)
- Spray bottle (₹150)
- Pruning shears (₹200)
- Rubbing alcohol (₹100)
- pH test kit (₹250)
- Gloves (₹100)
Total: ~₹1,360
🏆 Complete Kit: ₹3,500-5,000
For serious gardeners or larger setups
- All items from Starter Kit PLUS:
- Insecticidal soap (₹350)
- BT spray (₹300)
- Copper fungicide (₹400)
- Sulfur powder (₹300)
- Calcium nitrate (₹300)
- Iron chelate (₹400)
- Diatomaceous earth (₹400)
- Hydrogen peroxide (₹120)
- Moisture meter (₹300)
- Magnifying glass (₹200)
- Yellow sticky traps (₹150)
Total: ~₹4,680
🌟 Professional Kit: ₹6,000-8,000
For commercial or serious operations
- All items from Complete Kit PLUS:
- Professional spray backpack (₹1,500-2,000)
- Digital pH/TDS meter combo (₹800-1,200)
- Multiple specialized fungicides (₹1,000)
- Larger quantities of all supplies
- Protective gear (mask, goggles) (₹500)
Storage & Organization
🗃️ Storage Container Options
- Toolbox: Plastic toolbox with compartments (₹300-600)
- Bucket with lid: 20L bucket, keep supplies dry (₹100-200)
- Storage box: Clear plastic with dividers (₹400-800)
- Wall-mounted: Pegboard or shelving in shed/garage (₹500-1,500)
📋 Storage Rules
- Location: Cool, dry, dark place
- Temperature: Avoid extreme heat/cold
- Children/Pets: Keep out of reach, locked if possible
- Labels: Clearly label everything, include expiry dates
- MSDS: Keep Material Safety Data Sheets for chemicals
- Check quarterly: Inspect for expired/degraded products
⚠️ Safety Guidelines
- Always wear gloves when handling chemicals
- Never mix products unless directed
- Follow label instructions exactly
- Keep spray bottle separate from drinking bottles
- Wash hands thoroughly after use
- Don’t eat, drink, or smoke while applying treatments
Quick Reference: What to Use When
| Problem | Reach For | Application |
|---|---|---|
| Aphids | Neem oil OR Insecticidal soap | Spray all surfaces, repeat every 5-7 days |
| Caterpillars | BT spray | Spray leaves, caterpillars eat it and die |
| Powdery Mildew | Baking soda spray OR Sulfur | 1 tsp baking soda + soap per 1L, spray weekly |
| Blight/Leaf Spot | Copper fungicide | Remove affected leaves first, then spray |
| Root Rot | Hydrogen peroxide | 1 part H2O2 + 4 parts water, soak roots |
| Yellow Lower Leaves | NPK fertilizer | Follow package directions, water in |
| Yellow Between Veins (old) | Epsom salt | 1 tbsp per 4L water, spray or water |
| Yellow Between Veins (new) | Iron chelate | Follow package, spray leaves or add to soil |
| Blossom-End Rot | Calcium nitrate | 1 tsp per 4L, spray leaves weekly |
| Slugs/Snails | Diatomaceous earth | Sprinkle barrier around plants |
Printable Shopping List
✅ Priority 1: Essential (Buy First)
- Neem oil (250ml) – ₹200-400
- Baking soda (1kg) – ₹40-80
- Epsom salt (1kg) – ₹50-100
- Balanced NPK fertilizer (500g) – ₹150-300
- Spray bottle (2L) – ₹100-200
- Pruning shears – ₹150-300
- Gloves – ₹80-150
- pH test kit – ₹200-500
Subtotal: ₹970-2,030
✅ Priority 2: Important (Add When Budget Allows)
- Insecticidal soap – ₹300-500
- Copper fungicide – ₹300-500
- Calcium nitrate – ₹200-400
- Iron chelate – ₹300-500
- Hydrogen peroxide – ₹80-150
- Rubbing alcohol – ₹80-150
- Moisture meter – ₹200-400
Subtotal: ₹1,460-2,600
✅ Priority 3: Nice to Have
- BT spray – ₹250-450
- Sulfur powder – ₹200-400
- Diatomaceous earth – ₹300-500
- Yellow sticky traps – ₹100-200
- Magnifying glass – ₹100-300
- Storage container – ₹300-800
Subtotal: ₹1,250-2,650
GRAND TOTAL: ₹3,680-7,280
Where to Buy in India
🌐 Online Stores
- Amazon.in – Widest selection, home delivery
- IndiaMART.com – Bulk purchases, wholesale prices
- Ugaoo.com – Garden-specific supplies
- Nurserylive.com – Plants and supplies
- BigBasket/Grofers – Basic items (baking soda, Epsom salt)
🏪 Physical Stores
- Local nurseries – Best for advice, inspect before buying
- Agricultural supply stores – Bulk purchases, farmer prices
- Hardware stores – Tools, spray bottles, basic chemicals
- Pharmacies – Epsom salt, hydrogen peroxide, rubbing alcohol
- Supermarkets – Baking soda, basic supplies
Kit Maintenance Schedule
📅 Monthly Check
- Verify all items are present
- Check spray bottles for clogs
- Ensure gloves are clean and intact
- Sharpen pruning shears if needed
📅 Quarterly Review
- Check expiry dates on all products
- Test pH meter accuracy (use buffer solution)
- Replace depleted items
- Clean and organize storage container
📅 Annual Refresh
- Replace liquid products (neem oil, sprays)
- Update first aid protocols based on new pests/diseases
- Upgrade tools if worn
- Review and adjust kit based on experience