Home made plant fertilisers

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Home made plant fertilisers - ideas please!

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nettie

Joined: 02 Dec 2004
Posts: 5888
Location: Suffolk

Posted: Mon Mar 28, 05 9:03 pm Post subject: Home made plant fertilisers - ideas please!
Hi, I've read on previous threads that you can make nitrogen-rich fertiliser out of soaked nettle or comfrey leaves, being a cheapskate with a new allotment I wondered if anyone has ideas or tips for phosphorus or potassium?

Treacodactyl
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 25795
Location: Jumping on the bandwagon of opportunism

Posted: Mon Mar 28, 05 9:08 pm Post subject:
Sulphate of potash (the stuff to encourage flowers and fruit) is in wood ash. I often ensure I burn only wood on our fire and use the ash around fruit trees and in the greenhouse beds.

judyofthewoods

Joined: 29 Jan 2005
Posts: 804
Location: Pembrokeshire

Posted: Mon Mar 28, 05 9:15 pm Post subject:
This page has some info on liquid feed, and there is mention of potash in comfrey, seaweed, nettles and tea at a glance. Useful site allround. https://www.keirg.freeserve.co.uk/diary/tech/manure.htm Depends on what you grow too, I think potash from wood ash might not be suitable for potatoes, as its very alkaline, and potatoes like it acid. Can anyone comment?

Lloyd

Joined: 24 Jan 2005
Posts: 2699

Posted: Mon Mar 28, 05 9:43 pm Post subject:
Like Treac's, I use firewood ash, as well as rotted horse and chicken manure.

nettie

Joined: 02 Dec 2004
Posts: 5888
Location: Suffolk

Posted: Mon Mar 28, 05 9:47 pm Post subject:
Thanks folks. Great link Judy!

Bugs

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 10744

Posted: Mon Mar 28, 05 9:48 pm Post subject: Re: Home made plant fertilisers - ideas please!

nettie wrote:

potassium?

Potassium, bananas? Banana skins are often recommended under, er, roses???? Worth a bit of a search although I'm not sure I'd fancy fermenting them within sniffing distance of the house

Bugs

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 10744

Posted: Mon Mar 28, 05 9:49 pm Post subject:
The link Judy's posted is from Gavin who has kindly provided our latest Grow Your Own article, Crop rotation

nettie

Joined: 02 Dec 2004
Posts: 5888
Location: Suffolk

Posted: Mon Mar 28, 05 9:53 pm Post subject:
I've been meaning to look at that article all evening but somehow haven't got round to it!

wellington womble

Joined: 08 Nov 2004
Posts: 15051
Location: East Midlands

Posted: Tue Mar 29, 05 9:07 am Post subject:
What about liquid feed for pots? I was really looking forward to my daffs this year, but they're all blind, I'm assuming because I didn't feed them. I was thinking of some seaweed stuff, but I'd have to buy it, because we're about as far from the sea as you can get!

Bugs

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 10744

Posted: Tue Mar 29, 05 9:10 am Post subject:
Daffs might be too deep/shallow, or too congested? Might be worth digging them up to have a look once the leaves are starting to die back a bit?

Bugs

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 10744

Posted: Tue Mar 29, 05 9:10 am Post subject:

wellington womble wrote:

What about liquid feed for pots?

Won't you have worm tea soon?

judyofthewoods

Joined: 29 Jan 2005
Posts: 804
Location: Pembrokeshire

Posted: Tue Mar 29, 05 10:05 am Post subject:
The cheapest and most compact seaweed extract I have seen is from https://www.tamarorganics.co.uk in crystal/powder form. You add x amount of water to make the liquid feed. Looks a bit like potassium permanganate. Did buy mine a few years ago, no guarantee its still available or cheepest - just a starting point for a search/idea.

wellington womble

Joined: 08 Nov 2004
Posts: 15051
Location: East Midlands

Posted: Tue Mar 29, 05 10:14 am Post subject:

Bugs wrote:

wellington womble wrote:

What about liquid feed for pots?

Won't you have worm tea soon?

in theory - actually the worms have perked up a bit now, and are making holes in stuff I put in the bin, and leaving little bits of worm poo all over them. They are still very stupid, though, as what they really want to eat is the moisture mat. This is supposed to be they're duvet to keep the moisture in. it says it will eventually decompose, but mine is falling apart already!

Blacksmith

Joined: 25 Jan 2005
Posts: 5025
Location: Berkshire

Posted: Tue Mar 29, 05 12:23 pm Post subject:
Harry Dodsons book recomends Sheep or cattle dung in a hessian bag, soaked in water, then diluted, so it's the colour of weak tea. Havn't tried it yet but plan to when i get a second water butt. Dave

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