Nettle Fertilizer- need help

[allanp422]

Whats growing on everyone! First time poster here so forgive me if I make any mistakes/post on the wrong forum.



So yesterday I went out with some friends and picked a bunch of nettles, I myself collected about 2kg worth (non dry) and chopped it up pretty good. I was only able to add about 10 litres of water to the container that the nettles were in, but will have a 5gallon bucket in the next day or two and will transfer to that.


What I was wondering -

1. Is the nettle fertilizer too potent at the moment, If so how much water do I want to soak 2kg of nettle?

2. Can I use a little bit of it now diluted with water 1:10, or do I have to wait for it to fully ferment 2 weeks? I wanted to water some of my cucumber/tomato plants ive been raising just to see how they would do.

3.How long does the solution keep for once fermented? If I kept it in the fridge would it last longer?

4 Once the solution is done, how often should I water my plants with it? Once every week, or is that to much?



Off to go tend to some plants, will be back later today/tomorrow to check up on the post!

 

[KMA]

Interesting idea and something I hadn't thought (or heard) about before New Puritan mentioned it in the Growing you own veg thread.

Hopefully someone will post a recipe and guidelines.

 

[2YardOfLard]

I make it exactly the same way as comfrey liquid feed. There's good instructions here.
http://www.gardenersworld.com/how-to/grow-plants/how-to-make-a-comfrey-feed/
Be warned - the smell is really powerful!

 

[allanp422]

Thanks for the replies!

The smell is pretty bad I know what you mean, im on day 5 of fermenting and the smell is just awful. Good thing I got a lid to cover it, and I only really stir the liquid once a day or so.

 

[Pasty]

That's interesting. I've been looking at the nettle patches on the farm where previous grazers have left creep feeders too long. Getting a bit out of hand although I know they have good wildlife value and will be eaten at a later point. I need to decide whether they are an asset and if so, how much is too much vs grass.

If you had a big patch, would it be worth mowing them with a small collector mower and using the resulting clippings for something? If so, when should you mow?

Any good links on uses of nettles.

 

[KMA]

Noticed quite a few round the swamp yesterday obviously my 'improvements' are suiting them, been thinking of harvesting them shortly and having a go at nettle & comfrey brew.

 

[Old McDonald]

You should all be aware that these liquid fertilisers are of limited value. I sell dried comfrey for people to make their own, but I also believe in being honest.

It is most important too to remember that without an analysis you have no idea what you are using. At the same time, these liquid feeds are highly unlikely to do anything any harm.

@Pasty If you have the use for a low nutrient value liquid and do not mind not knowing what it is, you could dump them in a barrel or similar and fill it with water. Remember any seeds are likely to remainviable.

I have heard of people using nettle soup but never tried it. Your poultry will probably enjoy dried nettles in the winter. They should eat the seeds and destroy them through the gizzard.

 

[Osca]

Nettle beer is very good, but I don't know how to make it, only how to drink it.

The best shampoo I've ever had was nettle shampoo; a commercial brand, though, but made in Germany ( and bought on holiday in Turkey). I can't find it here, so I'm looking for a DIY recipe.

Horses like nettles and probably other stock too; (didn't know about chickens, though, Old McDonald). It is only the sting that stops nettles being eaten. Pull up nice young ones up on a hot day, scatter them in the sun, as they dry the sting goes and they'll be gobbled up.

 

[Old McDonald]

Nettle beer is very good, but I don't know how to make it, only how to drink it.

I would not bother. The amount of nettles in is miniscule. Basically all the recipes for these weird drinks call for water, sugar, yeast and a little "something" by way of a weed - nettles, dandelion, etc. Cream of Tartar is often used to give it a wee bit of a sparkle. If you want to make wine then use a heap of fruit and make the yeast work the juice. It takes about 15 lbs of grapes to make a gallon of wine. Nothing is added. Grapes prodce a natural yeast so no yeast is added either. Adding water only dilutes the wine.

I was recetly given a few bottles of wine made by a lady in the UK in the late 1980s and early 1990s. I finished a bottle of 1991 Sugar Beet a few days ago - superb. A little sweet for me, but a very sound wine. I am not normally fond of root wines (once made a batch of Car Rot, my son made up labels for the bottles) and much prefer something like blackberries.