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Allotment Stuff => The Basics => Topic started by: tartonterro on July 09, 2008, 22:51:27

Title: liquid comfrey feed
Post by: tartonterro on July 09, 2008, 22:51:27
can anyone help me with this, im making up some liquid comfrey feed, the comfrey is in a net bag in a plastic barrel, i understand its supposed to stink quiet bad which it is - but ive also got an oily scum on the surface of the water - is this normal?
Title: Re: liquid comfrey feed
Post by: Uncle Joshua on July 09, 2008, 23:05:35
Yes...

I have been running a few comfrey tests this year the main one being a comfrey v manure test for spuds in the same trench, the comfrey may have been a little young but so far the results look very good.
Title: Re: liquid comfrey feed
Post by: tonybloke on July 09, 2008, 23:16:57
it's normal! I hope you've got an air-tight lid on it?
Title: Re: liquid comfrey feed
Post by: tartonterro on July 10, 2008, 08:11:14
its not exactly air tight lol - but tight enough for the smell to only be in the area around the barrel - it doesnt half stink - already said to fiance when i decant it into another barrel with a screw cap i may have to bin all the clothes i will have on if i spill any lol
Title: Re: liquid comfrey feed
Post by: allaboutliverpool on July 10, 2008, 10:04:59
I have made some this year for the first time and am lucky not to have a sense of smell!

My wife says it smells disgusting, so it must be good!

http://www.allaboutliverpool.com/allaboutallotments2_my_allotment_in_liverpool.html
Title: Re: liquid comfrey feed
Post by: asbean on July 10, 2008, 10:11:27
We make face masks and spray them with aftershave. That only goes part way to blocking out the smell - and that goes for nettle stew as well  ::) ::) ::) ::) ::) ::)
Title: Re: liquid comfrey feed
Post by: tonybloke on July 10, 2008, 12:12:08
the airtight lid is necessary to keep smell in and flies out! The smell will wash out from clothing, I use it in my greenhouse, the smell has usually gone by next morning.
anyway, it's no worse a smell than ibiza or majorca on a hot day!! ;D ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: liquid comfrey feed
Post by: calendula on July 10, 2008, 16:52:36
I keep mine in an old bucket outdoors next to the greenhouse so it collects rain as well - doesn't smell until you start stirring it - would have thought it would keep the flies away rather than attract  ;D
Title: Re: liquid comfrey feed
Post by: Ishard on July 11, 2008, 06:31:30
Use a trick that us nurses use for particularly 'smelly' procedures, simply smear Vic inside your nostrils and all you will smell then is the vic.  ;)
Title: Re: liquid comfrey feed
Post by: calendula on July 11, 2008, 09:50:28
not if you knew what was inside Vic - I prefer the comfrey thanks  ;D
Title: Re: liquid comfrey feed
Post by: Derek on July 11, 2008, 15:50:28
What a load of whoosies.... ;)

Seriously it does tend to pong a bit but you get used to it... if you get it on your hands washing them well still leaves a lingering odour... now that can put you off your sandwiches.

I just chuck it into a barrel and use it when its ready...when I take some out I top up the barrel ready for the next session
Title: Re: liquid comfrey feed
Post by: gwynleg on July 11, 2008, 16:40:38
Have any of you used it much as a mulch - does this work? I have got some roots to put in but I think I may be a whoosie.
Title: Re: liquid comfrey feed
Post by: tonybloke on July 11, 2008, 16:51:47
I mulch runner beans, tomatoes and peppers with comfrey, it rots down nicely!!
Title: Re: liquid comfrey feed
Post by: Ishard on July 12, 2008, 05:27:40
Its easy to get the smell off your hands.  :)

Us the trick dog owners use when the dogs role in fox pooh, rub Heinz tomato sauce on your hands and then wash.
 This WILL get rid of the smell.

Off now to look up whats in Vick...........lol
Title: Re: liquid comfrey feed
Post by: Derek on July 12, 2008, 07:21:49
Thanks for that tip...I have to admit the vision of your dog covered in Tomato sauce made me smile....puts a new twist on the Hot Dog  ;)

I placed some Comfrey leaves under each of my tomato plants in the greenhouse this year, partly to feed them but also to hold moisture...it seems to have worked.
Title: Re: liquid comfrey feed
Post by: allaboutliverpool on July 12, 2008, 07:49:28
What on earth does Heinz tomato sauce do to the intestines?

http://www.allaboutliverpool.com/allaboutallotments1_homepage.html
Title: Re: liquid comfrey feed
Post by: Ishard on July 12, 2008, 10:40:14
lol You are so right Derek it does look very funny when a golden retriever is covered with tom sauce, mainly cos they try to turn themselves inside out to actually eat it off their coat.
 Goldens are just stomachs on legs!!  ;D

'"What on earth does Heinz tomato sauce do to the intestines?" ALL'

Nothing :) the stomach acid gets it first  ;) 

Its those cola drinks we need to watch.
I have seen a glass completely disolve a childs tooth placed in it in under 2 weeks. (Graphic demonstration for a healthy living lecture I gave at a school. Tooth donated by a dental sugeon, I dont normally grab a kid and pull its teeth out)

I think its the tomatoes in the sauce that does the job to remove the smell, with alkaline in the toms and the pooh being acid it neutralizes it.

Just an educated guess but it seems to make sense.  :)
Title: Re: liquid comfrey feed
Post by: tonybloke on July 12, 2008, 16:29:25
What on earth does Heinz tomato sauce do to the intestines?

http://www.allaboutliverpool.com/allaboutallotments1_homepage.html
Its great for cleaning brass!! smear it on, leave overnight, rinse off!! Bingo!
Title: Re: liquid comfrey feed
Post by: Robert_Brenchley on July 12, 2008, 22:09:32
Judging by recipes I've seen for tomato sauce, it's probably got lots of vinegar in it. Whatever, any acid will clean brass.
Title: Re: liquid comfrey feed
Post by: Gela on July 13, 2008, 09:56:01
I'm curious about what's in Vic now  ;D
Title: Re: liquid comfrey feed
Post by: Robert_Brenchley on July 14, 2008, 20:37:39
Menthol.
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