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Allotment Stuff => The Basics => Topic started by: manicscousers on April 17, 2007, 16:44:45

Title: liquid feeds
Post by: manicscousers on April 17, 2007, 16:44:45
found this in a little book I got free, I like using these but didn't know the difference

comfrey..although it looks and smells horrible (like any home made liquid feed ), use as a spray, it's loaded with potassium, particularly good for tomatoes, onions, beans and other potash hungry crops

borage..very high in nitrogen, good for large and hungry veggies like squash and melons

nettles..they're beneficial to your plot, act as an activator in the compost heap..as a liquid fertiliser, they make a good, balanced feed..it helps pick up any failing plants and makes them much more resistant to pests and diseases

hope this helps someone else as well as me  :)
Title: Re: liquid feeds
Post by: Tee Gee on April 17, 2007, 17:00:00
Quotenettles..they're beneficial to your plot, act as an activator in the compost heap

But not the roots!!
Title: Re: liquid feeds
Post by: flowerlady on April 17, 2007, 17:27:31
But they are actually good at putting nitrogen back into the soil ... and butterflies love them  ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

Great info mc thanks  ;)
Title: Re: liquid feeds
Post by: manicscousers on April 17, 2007, 17:27:50
 we use the roots in the feed as well  :)
Title: Re: liquid feeds
Post by: chlodonnay on April 17, 2007, 17:55:13
We got some plant feed from freecycle recently. It is from this persons wormery and she said that we just dilute with water and give to the plants. has anyone used this feed before or know if any plants don't like it? Thanks
Title: Re: liquid feeds
Post by: Rosyred on April 17, 2007, 18:32:17
Thanks for the info I have printed it off for me to remember.
Title: Re: liquid feeds
Post by: pye on April 17, 2007, 19:30:03
Interesting, thanks. Am growing borage this year for the bees - never thought of using it for liquid feed.

A question - I know from other posts that liquid feeds stink when they're brewing. Once they're on the ground/leaves, does the smell go away?

I have to avoid stinky things (chicken pellets, garlic pellets etc) coz my weeny plot is in the back yard.
Title: Re: liquid feeds
Post by: Blue Bird on April 17, 2007, 19:44:33
Yes I use worm wine - great as general feed I use on all types of plants with benifical effects just make sure that it is diluted

BB
Title: Re: liquid feeds
Post by: Tee Gee on April 17, 2007, 19:50:42
I meant no roots in the compost heap.......... in water OK.

If put in compost heap they will grow!
Title: Re: liquid feeds
Post by: Tin Shed on April 17, 2007, 19:53:05
Did your book tell you the best way to make the feed, manicscousers?
BB - your are far more polite about the wormery liquid - we call it worm wee!!
Title: Re: liquid feeds
Post by: manicscousers on April 17, 2007, 19:58:17
no, we put it in a bucket with a hole in, on top of another bucket..some water, not lots and some 'personal liquid waste', or pee to you and me is added..when the leaves etc have gone all mushy and there's some liquid in the bottom bucket, it's drained into an old 6 pint milk container and diluted, 10 to 1 or until it looks like weak tea, the remains of the plants are put in the compost

it smells until it's watered on to the veggies, pye..when it's diluted, it doesn't smell too bad,
Title: Re: liquid feeds
Post by: Tin Shed on April 17, 2007, 20:22:23
Thanks for that. I shall go off to the Co op tomorrow and see if I can get some of their 'free' flower buckets for the borage, nettles etc.
Title: Re: liquid feeds
Post by: Biscombe on April 22, 2007, 09:35:21
Borage is a new one!! got tons ot the stuff growing wild!! thanks manics  ;D
Title: Re: liquid feeds
Post by: kt. on April 22, 2007, 09:45:59
Watched the BIG DIG this week. A liquid feed was done with rhubarb leaves and left to ferment for 3 months. He then watered his brassicas with this feed & hey presto - no white fly, no white fly eggs on any of his brassicas. Apparently they hate it. I know where my rhubarb leaves are going next year. (warning: it stinks worse than any other liquid feed apparently)
Title: Re: liquid feeds
Post by: Multiveg on April 22, 2007, 12:16:57
Quote from: ktlawson on April 22, 2007, 09:45:59
Watched the BIG DIG this week. A liquid feed was done with rhubarb leaves and left to ferment for 3 months. He then watered his brassicas with this feed & hey presto - no white fly, no white fly eggs on any of his brassicas. Apparently they hate it. I know where my rhubarb leaves are going next year. (warning: it stinks worse than any other liquid feed apparently)

Interesting. I use the rhubarb stem in holes for planting brassicas in - against clubroot.