- What is nettle manure?
- manufacturing
- fertilizer
- insecticide
- odor
- Experiences with nettle manure
- frequently asked Questions
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Nettle manure for roses is often recommended as a fertilizer and to combat lice and other pests. But how can it be produced and are there any risks when using it?
In a nutshell
- Application in different ways
- When setting up, keep a few points in mind
- Making nettle manure for roses is very simple
- Plant manure can spoil
- Dilution must be observed
What is nettle manure?
It is a mixture of water and nettles that have been fermented. The term nettle brew is also occasionally used. However, a brew is merely an infusion that can be compared to a tea. So the fermentation process is missing.
manufacturing
The production of the vegetable liquid manure is very simple. You only need:
- 1 to 2 kilograms of nettle leaves
- Bucket with cover
- gloves
- scissors
- Stick or cooking spoon with a long handle
- 10 liters of water
Manual:
1. Protect yourself: The nettle toxin of the plant is not dangerous in itself, but it will cause unpleasant to painful reactions if it comes into direct contact with the skin. Therefore, wear protective latex gloves or sturdy work gloves. It is also ideal if you use long sleeves for additional protection.
2. Cut and shred nettle: Remove the leaves from the stems or cut off whole stems directly. Then chop them up and put the clippings in a bucket.
3. Fill up: Then fill the bucket with water. Rainwater or other low-lime and therefore soft water is best suited.
4. Covering: For fermentation, the vessel must be sealed as airtight as possible. If you don't have a suitable lid, you can use foil, a board or another plate for this.
5. Stir: The mixture of green waste and water must be stirred once a day. This measure ensures good mixing and more even fermentation.
6. Maturation: Depending on the current temperature, the liquid manure needs one to two weeks to mature. It is ready when no more gas bubbles rise from the liquid.
Tip: Choose a sunny pitch for the manure. This will ferment it faster.
fertilizer
Nettle manure is ideal as a fertilizer for roses. It contains many important nutrients. The advantages include:
- easy to manufacture
- high nutrient density
- inexpensive
- easy application
- environmentally friendly
However, you should pay attention to a few points when using it. These are:
- frequency of use
- dilution
- time
Apply the fertilizer once a week. Then dilute one part of the manure with ten parts of water. Sieve the leaves beforehand. The natural fertilizer is used from the first budding to the beginning of flowering. This is usually the case around June.
insecticide
To use nettle against lice on roses, you do not need to make manure. This means that fermentation does not have to take place.
- You prepare the mixture of crushed nettle and water and only let it soak for one to a maximum of two days. The broth must not foam if you use it to combat lice.
- Fill the liquid into a spray bottle and dilute the brew only slightly with water.
- Spray the plant all over with the natural insecticide. Do not carry out this measure in the blazing sun.
Tip: To achieve a preventive effect, the roses should be treated with it every three weeks. A simple plant sprayer will suffice.
odor
A common point of criticism against nettle manure is the intense smell that arises during fermentation. This can still be clearly perceived several meters away. Therefore, wear latex gloves and avoid direct contact with the liquid.
Tip: Add rock flour to the liquid manure. This reduces the smell.
Experiences with nettle manure
Nettle manure as a fertilizer for roses divides the world of gardeners. Many swear by them, others avoid the liquid manure. Benefit from the experiences that other hobby gardeners have already had with fertilizing roses with nettle manure. We have researched for you.
Notice: For reasons of better legibility, small spelling mistakes (spaces, transposed letters, etc.) in the quotations have been corrected. The exact sources are linked under the indication of the respective forum.
Nettle manure is certainly too nitrogenous for roses. The liquid manure is suitable, for example, for tomatoes or other vegetables that grow like rockets, such as zucchini. But even with those you dilute at least 1:10. [Recommendation:] organic/organo-mineral fertilizers as recommended by rose growers.
Also: such liquid manure stinks and has to be stirred constantly. Pretty much effort.
Source: www.schmid-gartenforum.de; User: Calville; Date: 06/06/2012
I tried nettle manure for the first time and would like to warn all other newbies against it. The stench is indescribable and in small gardens neither oneself nor the neighbors can be expected. Anyway, I disposed of mine after the first use in the nearby field. But the problem is in the details: the stench wouldn't go away on your hands, even after washing your hands many times. My tip: Use disposable gloves. I had to put all my clothes in the washing machine immediately after throwing them away and soak myself in the bathtub. [… ] I will no longer have nettle manure either (organic or not). […]
Source: www.forum.mein-schoener-garten.de; User: Antigone; Date: 06/01/2006
Nettle manure doesn't have to stink. Rock flour or valerian extract in the bucket of decomposing nettles and the stench is gone. Then do not spray, but dilute with water that it has the color of (thin) black tea and pour on the ground. [Stinging nettle manure] is a fantastic supplier of nitrogen for all heavy consumers. My roses also get something from time to time. I have never used nettles against aphids. […]
Source: www.forum.mein-schoener-garten.de; User: roswitha; Date: 06/01/2006
You should not give nettle manure to beans, peas, onions and garlic. Because these are weak or medium consumers. Nettle manure has a high nitrogen content and promotes leaf growth. Ideal for cabbage plants, for example. Not only cabbage, but also others, e.g. tomatoes, zucchini, etc. like the manure, but also want the fertilizer that is special for them. For plants where you particularly want to promote flowering, such as strawberries, currants, beans, peas, tomatoes, you should also use a fertilizer that is predominantly phosphorus.
Unfortunately, the nettle liquid manure still stinks. Simply cover with an old pot lid or a nettle leaf. In my experience, a handful of stone flour does not have the best effect for binding the smell. I just ignore the smell and tell myself that the much more frequent gifts of manure in the gardens in the past didn't exactly tickle the nose pleasantly either.
Since nettle manure is a pure nitrogen fertilizer, it does not promote the flowers as much as the leaf mass. That's why I use a bloom fertilizer for most of the flowers and a special rose fertilizer for the roses. Of course, there is nothing wrong with fertilizing with manure from time to time. I give my roses now and again.
Source: www.forum.mein-schoener-garten.de; User: wildkrautfee (guest); Date: 06/19/2004
frequently asked Questions
Why is there criticism of the plant manure?The fertilizer is now banned in France. One assumption is that this was done solely out of the economic interests of the corporations. Since the tried-and-tested home remedy is a cheap solution for strengthening the roses' defenses and fighting parasites at the same time. In addition, another criticism is the intense smell of manure.
Nettle manure only for roses?No, other heavy consumers can also benefit from it. Due to the high nutrient content, however, plants with a lower requirement should not be supplied with it in larger dilutions or at longer intervals.
Can nettle manure spoil?Yes, that is possible. It should therefore not be used for more than one to two weeks. In addition, it must no longer be used if mold forms on it or other coverings are present.