My nettle tea debut report...

[Herbsandveg]

Just made my first ever batch of nettle tea after watching and being spurred on by a brief video of the very fragrant Rachel Thame showing us how to do it. Have been meaning to make some for a while, but have just been into the woods at the side of my house and 'liberated' sufficient stalks for the first 'brewing'..Rachel warned that the tea itself is anything but fragrant whilst it's brewing, and didn't actually say whether we could try it without milk, but I know you can with Comfrey tea, and seeing as I don't drink milk anyway, that's the way that I'll be having it when it's ready. Will post back here on this as it matures and eventually 'brews'...

[PyreneesPlot]

Enjoy - I have several batches on the go.

When watering with it be VERY careful to not water your legs, shoes, hands because the stink is a devil to get rid of.

I make borage tea, too and next year comfrey as well. The plants are too small this year.

I forgot - without. With, would be just odd.

[Thelma Sanders]

adding the milk should stop mildew in it's tracks

[Herbsandveg]

adding the milk should stop mildew in it's tracks

Watering? Mildew? Are you suggesting you can use it in the garden, too?...

[Thelma Sanders]

Yes you can

milk is a remedy for mildew
Got Mildew? Get Milk

[Herbsandveg]

Enjoy - I have several batches on the go.

When watering with it be VERY careful to not water your legs, shoes, hands because the stink is a devil to get rid of.

I make borage tea, too and next year comfrey as well. The plants are too small this year.

I forgot - without. With, would be just odd.

Flipping 'eck! You weren't kidding about the pong, were you? Just one small point; Can you keep adding to this, and does it have to be used up within a certain time. I think what I'm trying to say is; Does it 'go off' or become dangerous to use? I've been wondering whether I've let it go too far without using it as I haven't actually dared to try it yet. Could you assure me it'll be OK? I don't want to be rendering any of my plants inedible or even threatening my own health with listeria or something terrible like that...I mean, I don't think I'd dare eat a Rocket leaf that had the slightest trace of this on it...I'm wondering now whether I was a bit silly in making it. I do hope it's safe to use...

[KevinM67]

Flipping 'eck! You weren't kidding about the pong, were you? Just one small point; Can you keep adding to this, and does it have to be used up within a certain time. I think what I'm trying to say is; Does it 'go off' or become dangerous to use? I've been wondering whether I've let it go too far without using it as I haven't actually dared to try it yet. Could you assure me it'll be OK? I don't want to be rendering any of my plants inedible or even threatening my own health with listeria or something terrible like that...I mean, I don't think I'd dare eat a Rocket leaf that had the slightest trace of this on it...I'm wondering now whether I was a bit silly in making it. I do hope it's safe to use...

I've just started some off up at the allotment to use as a liquid fertiliser - anybody contemplating drinking this concoction needs certified !!!

[Two_Sheds]

Can you keep adding to this, and does it have to be used up within a certain time.

Yes, and no.

I keep topping up with fresh leaves & more water. I stop using it during winter, when nothing's growing, then in spring I pour the old brew on the compost heap and start a fresh batch.

You shouldn't be getting it on your rocket, because you shouldn't be watering your foliage ~ water needs to go to the roots, not all over the leaves (I've never understood why gardeners stand there with the hose high up over the plants? Maybe they're being a Rain God?)