Hi everyone
I’ve made a batch of nettle fertiliser; I was thinking of applying it to carrots growing in sandy soil in a tub and would probably benefit from a boost. My question is, what do people use it on?
Thanks
I use mine on fruit bushes. In one part of the garden I have a redcurrant growing close to a laelandei (no idea how to spell ::)) and it often suffers from a deficiency of what is probably a micronutrient, like magnesium. I give it a feed because nettles are rich in that kind of thing. It also helps my rhubarb to keep ticking over, even though I planted it in a dark spot and It's not doing so well.
Have you ever considered using manure water Stevens706? I'm only saying because it is rich in humus proteins that could stick to your sand grains and hold more water and nutrients near the carrots. I'd imagine nettle-tea also does a good job, but wouldn't it be interesting to find out?
just got gyo mag..it's got an article in about nettle tea..
" foliar feed. Liquid fertiliser sprayed or watered on to plants, usually to aid recovery after a set back such as drought or to remedy a nutrient deficiency."
we use it diluted on everything, and a comfrey feed into the hungry plants' bottles ;D
Most things I use it on but I don't know if its the right thing to do, but do I look bothered. :P :P :P ??? ??? ??? ;D ;D ;D
I've got a supply of comfrey AND nettles on the lottie and intend setting up a separate butt for soaking them in.
Question: Can I soak a bag of each in the same butt ? Benefits ? Pitfalls ?
Cheers muchly as always.
;D
I sometimes mix alkanet, nettles and comfrey in one.
Thanks everyone for the replies,
Thanks Si I will also use it on my Toms as I’m having the same problems as other people, leaves curling and going brown at the edges so it could be magnesium deficiency and as you say it is rich in magnesium.
mrs kp, we soak nettles, comfrey and docks, leaves and roots, all in the same container..good mix, but it does stink !! :)
I have fixed a drainpipe to my shed, with a funnel taped to the bottom and a bottle to catch the juice in.
I just keep stuffing more comfrey in the top and also have a bottle with string round the neck filled with water to weigh it down. I then have another bottle to cover the top of drainpipe so if it rains the juice does not get diluted. I hope this makes sense ???
It makes a very strong solution and you have to water it down to a 'weak tea'. It does not smell when you pass it as it is contained in a bottle.
Rosemary
Quote from: manicscousers on June 05, 2007, 14:32:33
mrs kp, we soak nettles, comfrey and docks, leaves and roots, all in the same container..good mix, but it does stink !! :)
thanks manic and amphibian. what roots manic ? I've got about half a hundredweight of nasty roots currently weighing down my weed suppressant.
Can I really use couch roots, marestail and bindweed as long as I drown it long enough ? and how long is long ??
:P
we only use the docks roots but any roots won't survive being drowned
dock plants draw something up, possibly sulphur so, it makes the stuff available to our plants..can't remember where I read it but at least it's a use for them :)
I'm using nettle fertiliser for the first time this year and have got my hands on some comfrey too (why can't you buy that?) I intend using the nettles on plants that you eat the leafs and peas beans etc, Iv'e spent hours researching the use of nettles and other green manure and it seems the best use for them, I'm not 100% sure about comfrey but I do like the idea of growing what I use so will look into that more.
I think I've got dock, if I can separate it from the couch that is.
I think I could fill quite few butts so perhaps I'll just concentrate on the nettles, comfrey and dock!
thanks for your help.
;D
the comfrey is for hungry plants, toms and cukes etc, nettle's a vitamin boost for general use ;D
old post of mine ;D
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
Comfrey grows here around the sides of the compost heap, so the roots take up any liquids that get washed down into the ditches from the heap during the winter. To be honest, I don't bother making a liquid feed from leaves, it all goes back onto the heap and eventually dug into the soil.