To satisfy the great hunger for nutrients, the traditional nettle manure has made a name for itself in tomato cultivation. You can easily produce the valuable natural fertilizer yourself. Here you will find the proven recipe with instructions.

All the ingredients and the right working materials

In order for the nettle manure on tomatoes to develop its full potential, we recommend using fresh, non-blooming plants. Both the large nettle (Urtica dioica) and the small nettle (Urtica urens) are suitable. A warm, sunny day in May is the ideal time for a harvest. Do not do without protective gloves to avoid touching the stinging hairs.

Material list:

  • 10 liters of water
  • 1 kilogram of fresh nettle or 200 grams of dried nettle
  • large vessel made of plastic, wood, clay or earthenware
  • Wooden stir stick
  • 2-3 tablespoons of rock flour (14.13€) to reduce odor
  • Wire mesh (€14.99) or grating
  • gloves

Although tomatoes are usually watered with calcareous tap water, the use of rainwater or pond water is recommended for nettle manure. The lower the lime content, the faster the fermentation progresses. In addition, the formation of foam and bubbles is reduced.

Uncomplicated preparation

Place the septic tank in the sunny spot at the back of the garden. Now pile up the crushed leaves, sprinkle the rock flour over them and fill in the water. Leave a border about 10 centimeters high. This makes it easier to stir later.

Finally, cover the vat with the grating without sealing it airtight. Stir the liquid once a day for the next 14 days. Add a dose of rock flour before each stir to keep the stink at bay. The nettle manure is ready when it no longer foams and is dark in colour.

How are tomatoes fertilized with nettle manure?

Nettle manure is never administered undiluted. Fertilize young tomatoes weekly with a mixture of 1 part liquid manure and 20 parts water. Spoil older tomato plants with a stronger mixture at a ratio of 1:10. Do not apply the fertilizer to the green parts of the plant, but always directly to the roots.

tips and tricks

The unfriendly stench is significantly reduced the more oxygen is added to the liquid manure. Therefore, install an aquarium pump in the barrel. To prevent the device from clogging with plant parts, fill the nettle leaves in a cotton bag or an old curtain.

Category:

Vegetable garden