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Am new and not sure how posting works even though i have been reading forum for a while. Spent yesterday digging new bed at alottment and have a bin full of thick nettle roots and dandelions- if i put them in water can i use as liquid feed or am i better leaving them for a few weeks and putting in compost?
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No matter:the allotment is lovely, the tadpoles have legs, my sea kale has germinated and I am glad to be home. -
Hello Kris and welcome to the forum! Can't answer your question as I'm new to all this gardening malarkey myself but I'm sure someone with more experience will be soon!
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Pricked out aubergines and chillies, replanted the strawberry bag for the youngest Golden Girl, sowed runner beans, kidney beans and tomatoes
You're not quite in the right place Kris, but don't worry, someone will be along to move your post. Welcome to the Vine and yes, I'd soak the nettles in a bucket of water, it makes brilliant, if very smelly, liquid feed. Comfrey works well too
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Roots will break down eventually, but they'll take longer than a few weeks - nettle 'tea' is usually made from the leafy top growth. I would put them in thick black plastic bags and leave them somewhere for at least a year.He-Pep!Comment
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The resultant 'tea' stinks.
Don't get it on your clothes.Comment
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Leafy growth is in compost- would i be better burning the roots?No matter:the allotment is lovely, the tadpoles have legs, my sea kale has germinated and I am glad to be home.Comment
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Burning them is an option. Or leaving them to dry out completely before composting.He-Pep!Comment
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Will do, thank you Bario.Originally posted by bario1 View PostNo matter:the allotment is lovely, the tadpoles have legs, my sea kale has germinated and I am glad to be home.Comment
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Hello Kris,(and 1960 was a very good year) put them all into a bucket and cover with water and leave till it starts to smell, the time this takes depends on the temperature, then you can start drawing some off for a liquid feed and it is usually a dilute by volume 10 of water to one of the brew, you want it to look like weak tea, you may have to top up the bucket over the season and again the colour is your guide as it starts to lighten stop topping up, at the end of the season empty it into your compost or over the gardenit may be a struggle to reach the top, but once your over the hill your problems start.
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Thanks Rary- will do today. Is it best for leaf or fruit growth? Does it matter if it is mixed roots?Originally posted by rary View PostNo matter:the allotment is lovely, the tadpoles have legs, my sea kale has germinated and I am glad to be home.Comment
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Nettle tea is a nitrogen feed good for leafy growth on brassica's etc.Originally posted by kris1960 View Post
Comfrey tea is a potassium feed and good for tomatoes and on flowering plants.
Mix the two together and you have a balanced feed of the two major nutrients.
My Majesty made for him a garden anew in order
to present to him vegetables and all beautiful flowers.- Offerings of Thutmose III to Amon-Ra (1500 BCE)
Diversify & prosper
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I'd use the leaves for nettle and dandelion "tea" and the roots roots I'd probably burn. If you are going to compost them, it will have to be after a LONG time drying out. I've found dandelions resprout fairly madly in a compost bin.
That said I'm sure you can use dandelion roots for a cleansing tea, if that's your bag.
How to Make Dandelion Root Tea | LIVESTRONG.COMComment
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Thanks Sky - will try anything(in this case with trepidation) once!No matter:the allotment is lovely, the tadpoles have legs, my sea kale has germinated and I am glad to be home.Comment
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Hi Snadger- is that nettle roots or leaves? Made comfrey tea last year but used it on brassicas- will not make same mistake this year, thanks for heads up.Originally posted by Snadger View PostNettle tea is a nitrogen feed good for leafy growth on brassica's etc.Comfrey tea is a potassium feed and good for tomatoes and on flowering plants.
Mix the two together and you have a balanced feed of the two major nutrients.No matter:the allotment is lovely, the tadpoles have legs, my sea kale has germinated and I am glad to be home.Comment
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Despite the repugnant smell, the flies and other insects that hover around the buckets, the toxicity of the resultant putrid liquid, trying to avoid getting the stuff on you, but failing regrettably and the disgusting little wormy maggoty things that form within it - I can't wait to get started on my 'teas' this year.
It really is fantastic stuff........because you're thinking of putting the kettle on and making a pot of tea perhaps, you old weirdo. (Veggie Chicken - 25/01/18)
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