DIY Stinging Nettle Fertilizer
You probably know by now that our family loves stinging nettles. If you have yet to read our previous posts about foraging for nettles and incorporating nettles into our diet in many ways, like tea, soup, or even cake, go check them out.
Stinging nettles, often regarded as a nuisance by many gardeners, are actually a treasure trove of nutrients and benefits. Their rich content of vitamins A, C, and K, along with minerals like iron, calcium, and magnesium, makes them an excellent addition not only to the garden but also to your diet. For instance, nettles can be blended into smoothies for a nutrient boost or steeped in hot water to create a refreshing and revitalizing tea.
In addition to their culinary uses, stinging nettles also promote biodiversity in the garden. By attracting beneficial insects and pollinators, they help create a balanced ecosystem, which is crucial for thriving plants. For example, ladybugs and lacewings, attracted to the nettles, can help control pest populations naturally, reducing the need for chemical pesticides.
Here in Sweden, the tender, spring nettle shoots have already turned into big, coarse nettles, too coarse for nettle soup, but that doesn’t mean nettle season is over. We also use stinging nettle in the garden as a fertilizer tea throughout the season.
How to make nettle fertilizer tea:
For best results, it’s vital to apply the diluted nettle tea during the early morning or late afternoon when temperatures are cooler, allowing for optimal absorption by the plants. This timing helps to minimize evaporation and enhances the uptake of nutrients. Additionally, consider rotating the use of nettle tea with other organic fertilizers to ensure a balanced nutrient supply for your plants.
To make your nettle fertilizer tea, begin by gathering a bucket of fresh stinging nettles. Aim for young, vibrant leaves as they contain the highest nutrient concentrations. Submerge the nettles completely in water, ensuring they are entirely covered to prevent mold growth. Cover the bucket with a lid to contain the strong odor that develops as the nettles start to break down, a process known as anaerobic fermentation. Let the mixture steep for approximately one week, stirring a few times to promote even decomposition. After the week is up, strain the nettles out of the bucket and compost them. The resulting liquid is your nutrient-rich fertilizer tea, which is packed with nitrogen and essential minerals vital for plant health, making it one of the best organic fertilizers available.
When you’re ready to use the fertilizer, dilute by adding 10 parts water to 1 part nettle tea. As an alternative to fresh nettles, you can hang them to dry and soak them afterward as needed.
Here are a few extra tips:
- Harvesting full-grown nettles yields new tender shoots, which can be advantageously used for nettle soup and other dishes.
- Fertilize with nutrient water only when it’s cloudy and the ground is slightly damp. This allows the nutrients to penetrate the soil effectively. Remember to water the soil, not the plants. A watering can is the easiest tool to use; water precisely where you want the nutrients by hand, then follow up with a hose.
- You can frequently fertilize all green plants, like cabbage, lettuce, hedges, and broccoli, with nettle tea. However, avoid overfertilizing ornamental plants with nitrogen, which favors growth and not flowering. Nutrient-demanding plants, such as tomatoes and pumpkins, like nettle tea—however, be cautious about over-fertilizing potatoes.
- Nettle fertilizer tea smells terrible and can continue to stink for a few days after watering. Plan the fertilizer watering for a few overcast days when you don’t intend to have a barbecue hanging in the garden anyway. I wouldn’t recommend watering nettle houseplants indoors just because of the smell.
- Make new nettle fertilizer tea after a couple of weeks, as toxic bacteria can form in old nettle water that has been left to stand for a long time.
Discovering the Benefits of Stinging Nettles:
Integrating nettles into your gardening routine not only fosters a more sustainable approach to fertilization but also enhances the overall health of your garden’s ecosystem. By choosing to utilize stinging nettles, you’re contributing to a zero-waste lifestyle and promoting biodiversity in your own backyard. This method aligns perfectly with our philosophy at The Zero Waste Family®, where we strive to educate others on how to live more sustainably. Remember, every little effort counts toward a healthier planet.
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