Monty Don's nettle fertiliser

[greenishfing]

I've just been watching Monty Don on Gardeners World and he was making Comfrey and Nettle fertilisers. I already make Comfrey tea.

When we took over the allotment a few years ago I dug out loads of nettles but still get the odd nettle plant coming up.

Could these be transplanted into a nettle patch and if I did this how far would the patch spread?

I would like a patch of say 3 metres by half a metre on the border with my annoying neighbours (with the uncontrolled children). They wouldn't spread into their plot because they have got weed fabric down. But I wouldn't want them to spread too far into my plot. I presume if I chopped the tops off for fertiliser it would stop them seeding so really I just want to know how far the roots would spread underground.

[veggiechicken]

Speaking as someone who has been pulling up nettles for months, I can tell you that the roots go for miles - well feet. They would spread under weed fabric easily. They're quite superficial roots - if you could drop a barrier in, as you might with mint, you may be able to control their spread.

[Feral007]

Yep I'd say a barrier on both sides. Altho, could you find/make some long trough things to use as a border and put the nettles into them. I would have suggested a pot but you want bordercontrol

Perhaps some thistle as well? I've found thistle works on the farm, for those visiting kids who refuse to put their long pants and closed shoes on (for snake protection) once they run into the thistles they're into shoes smartly!

[Two_Sheds]

how far would the patch spread?

I would like a patch of say 3 metres by half a metre

Grow them in the sun and you'll be encouraging loads of our lovely butterflies too. Don't let the plants flower & go to seed and they won't spread.

Any bits that grow on runners can be easily hoiked out

[KevinM67]

I just wanted to 're-visit this thread - I started both nettle and comfrey liquid fertiliser using the Monty Don method about 4 weeks ago.

I filled a plastic bottle up last week which apart from the smell was OK.

Today though, the buckets are absolutely infested with flies ( and offspring) !!!

Am I still safe to bottle up this stuff ??

[rustylady]

I just wanted to 're-visit this thread - I started both nettle and comfrey liquid fertiliser using the Monty Don method about 4 weeks ago.

I filled a plastic bottle up last week which apart from the smell was OK.

Today though, the buckets are absolutely infested with flies ( and offspring) !!!

Am I still safe to bottle up this stuff ??

It's safe, but why on earth don't you make it in bottles to start with?

I use large water bottles (5 litres) and stuff them full of chopped leaves, then top up with water and leave to stew.

[PyreneesPlot]

I make mine in a lidded bucket and then filter it through a netcurtain into 5l bottles to make sure the bits don't get as far as the watering can. I hate unblocking the rose.

[KevinM67]

It's safe, but why on earth don't you make it in bottles to start with?

I use large water bottles (5 litres) and stuff them full of chopped leaves, then top up with water and leave to stew.

Sorry, I maybe was not clear on previous post - I'm using builders buckets for nettles and an old mop bucket for comfrey. After a few weeks (as in now) I funnel into squash bottles.

Since my previous post - I've been back up, gritted my teeth, held my nose and took the plunge to funnel both mixtures into bottles - nettle mixture used on my calabrese and cabbage, comfrey goo on tomatoes, sweet peppers and red currants.

For my personal sacrifice - it better bloody work !!!

[rustylady]

Sorry, I maybe was not clear on previous post - I'm using builders buckets for nettles and an old mop bucket for comfrey. After a few weeks (as in now) I funnel into squash bottles.

Since my previous post - I've been back up, gritted my teeth, held my nose and took the plunge to funnel both mixtures into bottles - nettle mixture used on my calabrese and cabbage, comfrey goo on tomatoes, sweet peppers and red currants.

For my personal sacrifice - it better bloody work !!!

I say again, skip the buckets and make it straight in large bottles - no stink (until you take the lid off), no flies or mossies.

[stella]

I say again, skip the buckets and make it straight in large bottles - no stink (until you take the lid off), no flies or mossies.

Same here, found it really works.

[Gadget]

I've got se nettles growing so I might ry this, how long will it keep and it is ok to use on the whole allotment? Sorry newbie alert

[Dorothy rouse]

Would using nettles just as a mulch be a good idea or not? Or adding to compost bin? Have a patch growing on the border of my plot.

[KevinM67]

I say again, skip the buckets and make it straight in large bottles - no stink (until you take the lid off), no flies or mossies.

Watching Monty on Gardener's World a few weeks back - he used buckets. As I had a couple spare in the garage, I thought I would give it a go.

However, you're right - using large bottles would make the whole process easier and a lot less repulsive.

Lesson learned on my part.

[rustylady]

I like Monty - and he does get people interested in doing things - but there are usually several different ways of doing the same thing if you see what I mean.

Just one tip - when you do make it in bottles don't screw the lid too tightly, the concoction ferments. Actually, I wonder whether a winemaking airlock might be a good idea.