Is It Safe To Apply Old Homemade Compost Soup?

[toastiesmurf]

I made a 'soup' using all of the weeds that I pulled up from the allotment that I didn't want to put on the compost heap - filled a plastic barrel half full of plant matter and half full of water. That was several months ago...

I've been using this as a liquid fertiliser, diluting it with water. It's now very old and smelly. I recently read that you should leave this mix for a few days and apply immediately. Wondering whether it's past it's sell by date, and whether it's safe to put on plants and then eat a couple of weeks later?

Thanks in advance

[Baldy]

I wouldn't eat it but yes apply as a general feed. The nutrients in it are (mostly) not going anywhere so will do the plants good. Wash your crops before eating and all will be good!

[Baldy]

When I say "I wouldn't eat it" I'm referring directly to the weed feed that you have made rather than the crops you are applying it to. My 'sense of humour' gets the better of me sometimes...

[ESBkevin]

I used last years comfry tea at the start of this season before the comfry had produced leaves and given me a chance to make more. Nothing died yet, it does still stink when first applied!

[toastiesmurf]

Thanks!

Is it safe to eat a few days later (if washed) - i.e. sprayed on lettuce then picked a few leaves a few days later? Just checking!

[veggiechicken]

If you going to eat the leaves why spray them a few days before?

[self-contained]

I didn't think there was very good evidence for directly spraying leaves with feed. Why not just tip it on the soil for the roots to take up?

[Squingy]

I use that super smelly stuff regularly, applying at the roots. Some inadvertently gets on the foliage too, but I don't sweat that.

I try to keep it off any soft fruit that can retain odour/taste and obviously don't spray right before harvesting.

If you just wash the leaves I don't see what's the harm.