Nettle Fertiliser

[Primrose]

First of all I am approaching this with speed as we are in the last throws of putting in our new windows. (I ache all over and so does my husband - not young and springy anymore.)

So I apologise for not reading threads thoroughly and going straight into my question. I have some tomato plants and have put into grow bags, however, would like to be as near to organic as possible (probably already loads chemical in bags) anyway thinking of food for them. Has anyone tried home made Nettle Liquid (have loads of nettles) with success.

Thoughts and ideas would be appreciated.

[annie fenbug]

Bucket + nettles (I stick the roots in as well, although it takes la bit onger to brew; it's a good idea to bruise them by trampling on them first). Stuff nettles into bucket, weigh down with a bit of old brick/similar. Add rainwater to cover. Cover the bucket with lid/bit of old compost bag/similar. Stick it in a corner and leave for ... 3-4 weeks. Strain and serve diluted 1 part nettle tea to 8-10 parts rainwater. Chuck discarded bits on the compost heap.

If you've got comfrey in the garden, a few leaves of that would be a good addition. It takes even less notice of being picked than nettles do.

Warning - it stinks to high heaven, don't make the mistake I once did and leave it anywhere near sitting-out areas: A bbq party was ruined by everyone constantly giving each other funny looks and trying to move upwind!

PS - proper nettle soup for human consumption (anything like a spinach soup recipe will do, just use the young tops) is v good, both taste- and health-wise.

[eleanor2]

i have made comfrey feed.my dad in law always used nettle feed.cant getmore natural and organic from your own garden.

[Primrose]

Thank you so much both of you.

Pong or no pong we are going to have a go now after reading your replies.

I found this link on Nettles and thought you may be interested and Annie it gives a receipe for nettle soup.

http://www.gaias-garden.co.uk/Herbs/Nettle.html

So from now on instead of feeling guilty about our nettles being around, we have always said they are there for the butterflies but felt it was a little bit of an excuse, we can say they are there because we all eed them!

[eleanor2]

my old dad in law calls it nettle sok.i think thats slang for nettle soak.not sure.

[jazzactivist]

I used to stick the nettles in my water butt and put a bit of fine mesh as a strainer inside the tap part. It seemd to work very well for a weak feed, but be careful not to put too many netles in, primrose, or there won't be enough space for the water!

[Primrose]

Thanks for tips.

OH has his brew in three tubs - watch this space - also they are not in smelling distance.

I keep telling my tomatoes it will not be long now!

[Treehugger]

My OH is using an old 'recipe' from his Dad which involves steeping sheep's whatnot in water. Apparently the toms love it, but I'm not too keen on how on earth it's going to smell! I think that I would prefer your nettle 'recipe' Primrose!

[Primrose]

Maybe the sheep's whatnot is a quicker version as they have already started the process!

So maybe we need a smellometer.

Good Luck

[Primrose]

Toms are looking good and have first flowers.

Nettle Brew is ready - now - how often should we water it in after diluting 1 to 10 and it looks like weak tea.

Any advice would be welcome.

Thanking you in anticipation.

P.S. Have found that we need to grow Comfrey and Bocking 14!?! - interesting.

P.P.S Have made Nettle Soup - delicious

[jazzactivist]

I am a big fan of Lawrence D. Hills, primrose, and loved his book about his life in horticulture called "Fighting like the Flowers", which included the development of the Bocking 14 strain of comfrey. I water with the nettle brew every second water. If you have a special plant you can use it for every water, so long as it's quite weak.

I have seen a good, home made, gadget for making nettle brew in Permaculture magazine and wondered "why didn't I think of that?". Attach a length of broad, plastic downpipe to a tall, wooden stake and stand the stake upright in the garden. Cap the bottom of the pipe with some mesh (in the photo a small, wire hanging basket is used)Put an old watering can underneath, keep stuffing nettles into the top and the rainwater will create your nettle brew for you right into your watering can. It looks good, doesn't take up much space and seems quite ingenious.

[dragonfly]

Jaz I have used that gadget (homemade) for comfrey but unless it rains often you have to water it or you don't get any liquid (what bit comes off the leaves dries up when it is warm). Also it is better if you weight down the leave or at least pack them in tightly ramming them down with a rod.

[Primrose]

Well tom plants look great and strong. Have toms - some if they were red I would pick and eat.

They loook so healthy but reading the article on Nettles - just put on RM Home page it seems we should stop feeding brew now - been doing it once a week.

I do not have comfrey it does seem that we may have to buy some organic feed for the fruit would you agree?

[Primrose]

Any help out there please?

Is it phosphogen (?) I need and how organic is that?