Nettle Fertiliser

Nettle fertiliser

Our aim with our old farm is to manage it both ecologically and economically.  The problem is that our soil here is fairly inorganic, with a layer of limestone overlaying a layer of clay, so getting fruit and vegetables to grow strongly is a challenge.  We are creating lots of compost to add in future years which should make the soil a lot better, but in the meantime we are making our own organic fertiliser.

To make this, you need to collect a wheelbarrow load of nettles (and don't worry if you get other plants, they won't harm).  Apparently, young nettles are better, but we've not been using the nettle fertiliser enough to know how much difference the age makes.  Then, you need to scrunch them up to damage the leaves and stalks, although they seem to rot down quite well without too much damage. 

Nettle fertiliser and compost bins nestled amongst the lilacs

Put the nettles in a container that has a lid, and then add water to cover them.  Make sure that the container is well away from your house or anywhere that you want to sit, because after 2 - 4 weeks it will stink like pig manure.  This is the sign that it is ready for use, but you don't want anyone with a weak stomach to help you.

Take off the amount of fertiliser that you need for an application, then refill the container with fresh nettles and more water.  I leave the old nettles in so that they keep rotting down, but others take theirs out and put them on the compost bin.

You need about 1 litre of nettle fertiliser for about 10 litres of water to make sure that the plants are not over fertilised.  We apply this every 2 - 3 weeks to replace one of our normal waterings.  We don't know for certain that the nettle fertiliser is working as we don't have a control patch, but after an application the plants do seem to put on a growth spurt.

The main element in nettle fertiliser is Nitrogen, which feeds leaf and stem growth.  Its use should be scaled back as the fruits start to develop and it should be replaced with a Potassium rich fertiliser.  We are hoping that the ash from our wood fire will provide this, along with the odd banana skin.