As i have an abundance of nettles im thinking of making some liquid fertiliser ..is it any good?
fantastic food for plants!
brilliant ;D
I read some where you have to dilute it and use only once a week?
dilute it until it's like weak tea ??? we use ours once a week :)
I started some off a week or so ago, and it's beginning to smell lovely!
How does it compare to commercial feeds, i.e. can it be used instead of, as a complete feed of its own, or do you need to use it as well as another feed to provide the full nutrients?
Cheers
Lee
I have one of those huge blue drums filled with water and keep adding nettles as I cut them down, have bween doing this for 2 years now . I then fill old containers with the liquid. Now the thing I am not sure about is, do I have to dilute the stuff again or can I use it neat? I have done both but not sure which is right. ???
I tried some 6 weeks ago.........I,m convinced its a worthwhile feed
I watched *The Great British Village Show* last night and the tomato winner said he fed his tomatoes with a nettle feed, which he found better than commercial prepared feed.
Lauren ;)
Excellent answers yet again thank you all.. ;D
Like your goodself Steve I have loads of nettles and use them as a feed, I leave them in a bucket for a week or so, then dilute the bucket between about ten watering cans, don,t leave for too long though because it don't arf chuck up. :o ;D ;D ;D
Quote from: cacran on May 20, 2008, 11:09:21
, do I have to dilute the stuff again or can I use it neat? I have done both but not sure which is right. ???
I'd dilute it.
I have been using it for 2/3 years now and think its great as an all round fertiliser and it also seems to keep white fly off my brassicas.
1 Part Nettle juice to 10 parts water.
I use it all the time but even in high summer I am in full protective gear - waterproofs, chemical gloves, the works, cos teh stink don't half stick. It soaks into your skin and will not wash off. If you get it on your hands, they stink for about three days - nothing you can do about it. It is truly the best thing (along with Comfrey liquid which needs the same proetection) that you can stick on your veg.
The rule is:
nettles for leafy veg like brassicas
comfrey for fruiting veg like squash and beans.
bung in some freshly mowed grass with the nettles..............yep it stinks alright but its worth it
we also add dock leaves, may as well use them for something useful ;D
You lot sound like a local coven...eye of newt .......
We are, watch what you say. (http://209.85.48.12/6737/7/emo/roflmao.gif)
I have no idea what you are implying Steve.........anyone got a spare toenail and belly button fluff please 8)
(http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn200/northamptonpagans/stir.gif)
loads of blue belly button fluff anyone want to trade?
Quote from: star on May 23, 2008, 13:27:55
I have no idea what you are implying Steve.........anyone got a spare toenail and belly button fluff please 8)
(http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn200/northamptonpagans/stir.gif)
I have loads of spare toenails, I'll swap for an eye of newt. ;D
Leg of bat going spare here - will swap for worm's teeth or a bit of silver cord spun from cobweb (raspberries need tying in again).
Scientists have started to make synthetic spider web!! it's a protein, and they have a machine that spins and extrudes it. only small scale, and not very long at the present, but in theory, if as thick as a pencil, and woven like a net, you could catch aircraft!! ;)
Quote from: tonybloke on May 26, 2008, 19:42:06
Scientists have started to make synthetic spider web!! it's a protein, and they have a machine that spins and extrudes it. only small scale, and not very long at the present, but in theory, if as thick as a pencil, and woven like a net, you could catch aircraft!! ;)
well theres some useless information to bore your friends and enemies with!!!!
LOL
Quotein theory, if as thick as a pencil, and woven like a net, you could catch aircraft!!
wouldn't stop the carrot fly though.
;D
(http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn200/northamptonpagans/teaspittin.gif)(http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn200/northamptonpagans/teaspittin.gif)(http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn200/northamptonpagans/teaspittin.gif)
This very morning I have chopped some nettles and put them in a bucket for this very purpose, how long is it before you can use the stuff :)
Quote from: Mr Smith on May 27, 2008, 11:50:10
This very morning I have chopped some nettles and put them in a bucket for this very purpose, how long is it before you can use the stuff :)
I believe,but dont quote me,that you stir the nettle brew every day and when the frothy bubbles dont happen anymore,its ok to use.
Nettle soup
Ingredients
55g/2oz butter
one third large onion, finely chopped
¼ large potato, peeled and diced
500ml/17fl oz chicken stock
1 bunch nettles, stalks removed
3 large handfuls flatleaf parsley
2 tbsp roughly chopped chives
2 tbsp Greek yoghurt
chopped chives, to garnish
Method
1. Heat the butter in the pan and add the onion. Cook gently until soft, then add the potato and nettle leaves and allow to wilt.
2. Add the stock and simmer for 4-5 minutes. Add the herbs and allow to wilt. Blitz until smooth in a blender. Return to the pan to heat through and season to taste.
3. Serve at once with a dollop of yoghurt and a sprinkling of chives.
Ingredients:
1 lb potatoes
½ lb young nettles
2 oz butter
1½ pts chicken or vegetable stock
sea salt & black pepper
4 tablespoons sour cream
Method:
Cook the peeled, chopped potatoes for 10 mins in salted water. Drain.
Wash & chop coarsely the nettles (Only pick the new, young tops,using gloves!)
Melt the butter in a saucepan, add the nettles and stew gently for a few minutes. Add the potatoes and heated stock, bring to the boil and simmer for 10 minutes or until tender.
When all is soft, cool slightly & purée in a blender, adding seasoning and the sour cream
;)