Whoever heard…stinging nettles make a fantastic fertilizer?
Did you know that stinging nettles make a great fertilizer?
Well, it’s true.
Nettles are a rich source of calcium, nitrogen, manganese, iron, and potassium. They’re all critical nutrients for optimum plant growth.
And now your plants can get these rich nutrients with your own homemade fertilizer.
You see, making liquid nettle fertilizer is simple and easy. And results in free fertilizer. So you’ll save on expensive fertilizers.
How to make your own fertilizer.
- Pick your nettles in early spring. Fill a good sized bucket. Cut the nettles at the base of the plant.
- With your gloves on, cut the plants above the bucked into 6” lengths. Or fill a muslin bag with your raw nettles. If you do this, it’s a bit like using it as a tea bag.
- Fill the bucket with rainwater to the top of the bucket.
- Place the covered bucket in a sunny spot in your garden.
- Leave for two weeks. Then it’s ready to use.
- One word of warning. Liquid nettles smell foul. So wear protective gloves.
Before applying to your plants you will need to dilute your liquid nettles. That’s because it’s a potent mixture. Dilute to one part liquid nettles to 10 parts water. Apply the liquid to the base of the plants. This way it will get absorbed the fastest.
Which plants respond best to this fertilizer?
It’s the plants with the highest nutrient demand. Plants like courgettes, cucumbers, brassicas, leeks, tomatoes, and brassicas.
How often should you feed your plants? Apply the fertilizer every three weeks.
Another thing to remember is this; you can store the liquid in bottles for later use in the season.
