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Nettle Manu aka I'm in Trouble!
Did my first batch of nettle manure. Today, I used it. The family hastily
vacated the garden and are still barely speaking to me beyond "You are NEVER using that stuff again - EVER!" Although the wesbite warned that it was likely to be a bit whiffy, I was unprepared. Furthermore, I'm sure said site claims that the smell goes away pretty quickly. An hour later and it still pongs. And there's a snail lying on his back in the area I fed. He keeps trying to turn over and then appears to change his mind. Obviously, it's too much for him too! Oops! Vicky |
Nettle Manu aka I'm in Trouble!
In article , Vicky
writes Did my first batch of nettle manure. Today, I used it. The family hastily vacated the garden and are still barely speaking to me beyond "You are NEVER using that stuff again - EVER!" Although the wesbite warned that it was likely to be a bit whiffy, I was unprepared. Furthermore, I'm sure said site claims that the smell goes away pretty quickly. An hour later and it still pongs. And there's a snail lying on his back in the area I fed. He keeps trying to turn over and then appears to change his mind. Obviously, it's too much for him too! Nettles make lovely wines and beers, so maybe that snail was a bit tipsy? :-) From your description, I would say that you have made too strong an infusion, i.e. either too many nettles or too little water. I always dilute mine with 50/50 rain-water before applying it to plants. The only time I've known any smell to hang around was when some had been used in a closed greenhouse on a hot day :-( Comfrey is equally as good as nettles for the same job and it carries less smell. Or you can use a mixture of both leaves. -- Alan & Joan Gould - North Lincs. |
Nettle Manu aka I'm in Trouble!
The message
from "Vicky" contains these words: Did my first batch of nettle manure. Today, I used it. The family hastily vacated the garden and are still barely speaking to me beyond "You are NEVER using that stuff again - EVER!" Although the wesbite warned that it was likely to be a bit whiffy, I was unprepared. Furthermore, I'm sure said site claims that the smell goes away pretty quickly. An hour later and it still pongs. Yes, it does pong when newly applied, but the results are worth it.Patience! "Pretty quickly", means the pong wears off in a day, or two at most. As for the family..just work out a way to use your new-found power to your advantage and all will be well next time. Such as "Would you rather tidy your rooms/clean the oven, or help me decant the nettle manure?" Janet. |
Nettle Manu aka I'm in Trouble!
Janet Baraclough.. wrote:
The message from "Vicky" contains these words: Did my first batch of nettle manure. Today, I used it. The family hastily vacated the garden and are still barely speaking to me beyond "You are NEVER using that stuff again - EVER!" Although the wesbite warned that it was likely to be a bit whiffy, I was unprepared. Furthermore, I'm sure said site claims that the smell goes away pretty quickly. An hour later and it still pongs. Yes, it does pong when newly applied, but the results are worth it.Patience! "Pretty quickly", means the pong wears off in a day, or two at most. As for the family..just work out a way to use your new-found power to your advantage and all will be well next time. Such as "Would you rather tidy your rooms/clean the oven, or help me decant the nettle manure?" Janet. I shall be using it late in the evening next time. Even my cat has been giving me filthy looks - aha - the perfect solution to keeping her off my newly dug bits of garden. And growbags. She dug up my broad beans yesterday - howls of sympathy coming from all angles (not)! Vicky |
Nettle Manu aka I'm in Trouble!
"Vicky" wrote in message ... Did my first batch of nettle manure. Today, I used it. The family hastily vacated the garden and are still barely speaking to me beyond "You are NEVER using that stuff again - EVER!" Although the wesbite warned that it was likely to be a bit whiffy, I was unprepared. Furthermore, I'm sure said site claims that the smell goes away pretty quickly. An hour later and it still pongs. What website was that please? I started my first batch off today and I'd like to check it out. TIA Steve |
Nettle Manu aka I'm in Trouble!
In article , shazzbat shazzbat@spamle
ssness.fsnet.co.uk writes What website was that please? I started my first batch off today and I'd like to check it out. Possibly Vicky meant the urg FAQ 'Nettle Manure' at: http://www.nugget.demon.co.uk/MetaFAQ/nettle.html -- Alan & Joan Gould - North Lincs. |
Nettle Manu aka I'm in Trouble!
Possibly Vicky meant the urg FAQ 'Nettle Manure' at: http://www.nugget.demon.co.uk/MetaFAQ/nettle.html -- Alan & Joan Gould - North Lincs. I did indeed. BTW I have been partially vindicated. The day after I used the nettle manure, we discovered that a nearby pump station had failed and sewage was seeping out from the tank down our shared drive! Anyway, THAT revolting problem has been sorted and my next batch of nettle manure has been started. I did wonder if it was worth chucking nettles into one of my water butts - any views on that or am I just asking for trouble with a blocked tap? |
Nettle Manu aka I'm in Trouble!
"Vicky" wrote in message ... Possibly Vicky meant the urg FAQ 'Nettle Manure' at: http://www.nugget.demon.co.uk/MetaFAQ/nettle.html -- Alan & Joan Gould - North Lincs. I did indeed. BTW I have been partially vindicated. The day after I used the nettle manure, we discovered that a nearby pump station had failed and sewage was seeping out from the tank down our shared drive! Anyway, THAT revolting problem has been sorted and my next batch of nettle manure has been started. I did wonder if it was worth chucking nettles into one of my water butts - any views on that or am I just asking for trouble with a blocked tap? I would say so. Look what it did to the pumping station ;~)) Anyway, ta for the link. Mine isn't smelly yet but it looks kind of malevolent. Oh no, hang on that's the wife. Only joking dear. Steve. |
Nettle Manu aka I'm in Trouble!
In article , Vicky vicky@theh
appygardener.sometimes writes Possibly Vicky meant the urg FAQ 'Nettle Manure' at: http://www.nugget.demon.co.uk/MetaFAQ/nettle.html -- Alan & Joan Gould - North Lincs. I did indeed. BTW I have been partially vindicated. The day after I used the nettle manure, we discovered that a nearby pump station had failed and sewage was seeping out from the tank down our shared drive! Anyway, THAT revolting problem has been sorted and my next batch of nettle manure has been started. Good for you - keep it up! :-) I did wonder if it was worth chucking nettles into one of my water butts - any views on that or am I just asking for trouble with a blocked tap? I make mine in a 45 gallon drum. I fill a watering can about half full, then top that up with rain-water from an adjacent rain butt. It is better to have plain water available for when plants need it. -- Alan & Joan Gould - North Lincs. |
Nettle Manu aka I'm in Trouble!
"Vicky" wrote in message ... Did my first batch of nettle manure. Today, I used it. The family hastily vacated the garden and are still barely speaking to me beyond "You are NEVER using that stuff again - EVER!" Although the wesbite warned that it was likely to be a bit whiffy, I was unprepared. Furthermore, I'm sure said site claims that the smell goes away pretty quickly. An hour later and it still pongs. And there's a snail lying on his back in the area I fed. He keeps trying to turn over and then appears to change his mind. Obviously, it's too much for him too! If may go off at a tangent: What is it that is special about nettles as far as making an infusion is concerned? Can one not just dump *all* one's green weeds in a barrel of water? Franz |
Nettle Manu aka I'm in Trouble!
"Vicky" wrote in message
... Did my first batch of nettle manure. Today, I used it. The family hastily vacated the garden and are still barely speaking to me beyond "You are NEVER using that stuff again - EVER!" Although the wesbite warned that it was likely to be a bit whiffy, I was unprepared. Furthermore, I'm sure said site claims that the smell goes away pretty quickly. An hour later and it still pongs. I did a 50/50 nettle/comfrey mix. No, it doesn't whiff a little. It absolutely bloomin' stinks to high heaven. Still, if it makes the veggies grow and keep the slugs away, I suppose I can stand it. -- "My candle burns at both ends; it will not last the night but ah my foes and oh my friends -- it gives a lovely light" |
Nettle Manu aka I'm in Trouble!
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Nettle Manu aka I'm in Trouble!
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Nettle Manu aka I'm in Trouble!
In article , Vicky vicky@theh
appygardener.sometimes writes I did wonder if it was worth chucking nettles into one of my water butts - any views on that or am I just asking for trouble with a blocked tap? If you do that, put them in an old sack or pillowcase (that should help you sleep!). Otherwise you end up with a revolting sludge you have to fish out of the water butt to chuck on the compost. John -- John Rouse |
Nettle Manu aka I'm in Trouble!
"Alan Gould" wrote in message ... In article , Franz Heymann notfranz. writes If may go off at a tangent: What is it that is special about nettles as far as making an infusion is concerned? Can one not just dump *all* one's green weeds in a barrel of water? Young nettle leaves break down more quickly, and they have a lower fibrous content - they are also edible to humans, thus they are perfectly safe to use on food plants as well as being truly organic. This year I am using comfrey instead of nettles. Just as good, but they take a bit longer to biodegrade and they are more fibrous. -- Alan & Joan Gould - North Lincs. ***************************** My Dad had three big strips of garden which he tilled on a big allotment area. Nettles were rife in the field corners but they were never interfered with. They were part of our diet at Sunday roast dinners. Just like cabbage. My brothers and father picked them with our bare hands and never got stung. This is because you take just the top off the nettle stalk with just three or four leaves on. Our Dad encouraged us to grip the top firmly and pull the tops off one by one. The allotment walls were the square grass sods piled hip-high all round the perimeter. They were quite neat and as time went on the grassy walls harboured all sorts of small creatures. There was at all times a large sod compost heap which, when matured after two years was used as humous. He was helped by a dishevelled tramp who lived in the local Grubber. ( Workhouse). The allotments were on the diggings of the earth from the Docks when they were built many years ago. That earth from the docks formed a shape like a high domed grassy hill and was called Ramsey Island after the local Dignitary who was responsible for the building of the docks, and the Town. So, naturally, I and my brothers called him "The Ragged Prince of Ramsey Island". The stories I could tell about that Gentleman tramp.! Doug. |
Nettle Manu aka I'm in Trouble!
Franz Heymann wrote:
: If may go off at a tangent: What is it that is special about nettles : as far as making an infusion is concerned? Can one not just dump : *all* one's green weeds in a barrel of water? I'd thought the same thing. I think it's the extra nitrogen in the leaves. Same as for comfrey. Also maybe some plants break down better than others. I've used comfrey, but the plants seem prone to rust in out garden, so have moved to nettles. It's also claimed that nettles and comfrey have deep roots that bring up nutrients from the sub soils etc. Genuine question are there any other plants that can be used too? What about other deep rooted plants like docks, dandelion, horseradish? cheers Jim |
Nettle Manu aka I'm in Trouble!
In article , J Jackson
writes Genuine question are there any other plants that can be used too? What about other deep rooted plants like docks, dandelion, horseradish? It is claimed that any deep rooted plant may contain nutrients, trace elements and minerals which shallow rooted plants do not have access to in a continually cultivated and cropped area of ground. Most deep rooted plants will be beneficial to compost for that reason if added to the heap in moderate quantities. For making liquid infusions, more tender and less fibrous material is easier to handle and simpler to bio- degrade, thus nettles and comfrey are preferable for that purpose to e.g. horseradish, docks etc. The principle in an organic system of horticulture is that what is taken from soil by plants needs to be replaced. Manufactured chemicals may go some way to replacing NPK, but there is a good deal more to soil and plant needs than just those basic elements. -- Alan & Joan Gould - North Lincs. |
Nettle Manu aka I'm in Trouble!
"Alan Gould" wrote in message ... In article , J Jackson writes Genuine question are there any other plants that can be used too? What about other deep rooted plants like docks, dandelion, horseradish? It is claimed that any deep rooted plant may contain nutrients, trace elements and minerals which shallow rooted plants do not have access to in a continually cultivated and cropped area of ground. Most deep rooted plants will be beneficial to compost for that reason if added to the heap in moderate quantities. For making liquid infusions, more tender and less fibrous material is easier to handle and simpler to bio- degrade, thus nettles and comfrey are preferable for that purpose to e.g. horseradish, docks etc. The principle in an organic system of horticulture is that what is taken from soil by plants needs to be replaced. Manufactured chemicals may go some way to replacing NPK, but there is a good deal more to soil and plant needs than just those basic elements. I don't understand why you say " may go some way to replacing NPK....." Why not replace those elements completely? Moreover, my understanding is that most farmers who use fertilisers tend to *overreplace* the elements used by the crops. Also, there are fertilisers which, in addition to NPK, contain the other elements needed for plant growth. As a matter of fact, I suspect that simple fertilisers like Growmore do in fact contain sufficient trace elements. The only reason only NPK concentrations are declared is simply that that is all they have to do to comply with the law. Franz |
Nettle Manu aka I'm in Trouble!
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Nettle Manu aka I'm in Trouble!
"shazzbat" wrote in message ... "Vicky" wrote in message ... Possibly Vicky meant the urg FAQ 'Nettle Manure' at: http://www.nugget.demon.co.uk/MetaFAQ/nettle.html -- Alan & Joan Gould - North Lincs. I did indeed. BTW I have been partially vindicated. The day after I used the nettle manure, we discovered that a nearby pump station had failed and sewage was seeping out from the tank down our shared drive! Anyway, THAT revolting problem has been sorted and my next batch of nettle manure has been started. I did wonder if it was worth chucking nettles into one of my water butts - any views on that or am I just asking for trouble with a blocked tap? I would say so. Look what it did to the pumping station ;~)) Anyway, ta for the link. Mine isn't smelly yet but it looks kind of malevolent. Update :- My god it stinks now (cough, splutter, wipe eyes). I think it may be what can't be found in Iraq. Steve. |
Nettle Manu aka I'm in Trouble!
"Douglas" wrote in message ... "Alan Gould" wrote in message ... In article , Franz Heymann notfranz. writes If may go off at a tangent: What is it that is special about nettles as far as making an infusion is concerned? Can one not just dump *all* one's green weeds in a barrel of water? Young nettle leaves break down more quickly, and they have a lower fibrous content - they are also edible to humans, thus they are perfectly safe to use on food plants as well as being truly organic. This year I am using comfrey instead of nettles. Just as good, but they take a bit longer to biodegrade and they are more fibrous. -- Alan & Joan Gould - North Lincs. ***************************** My Dad had three big strips of garden which he tilled on a big allotment area. Nettles were rife in the field corners but they were never interfered with. They were part of our diet at Sunday roast dinners. Just like cabbage. My brothers and father picked them with our bare hands and never got stung. This is because you take just the top off the nettle stalk with just three or four leaves on. Our Dad encouraged us to grip the top firmly and pull the tops off one by one. The allotment walls were the square grass sods piled hip-high all round the perimeter. They were quite neat and as time went on the grassy walls harboured all sorts of small creatures. There was at all times a large sod compost heap which, when matured after two years was used as humous. He was helped by a dishevelled tramp who lived in the local Grubber. ( Workhouse). The allotments were on the diggings of the earth from the Docks when they were built many years ago. That earth from the docks formed a shape like a high domed grassy hill and was called Ramsey Island after the local Dignitary who was responsible for the building of the docks, and the Town. So, naturally, I and my brothers called him "The Ragged Prince of Ramsey Island". The stories I could tell about that Gentleman tramp.! Doug. More please:) Ophelia |
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