All the ingredients and the right materials
We recommend using fresh, non-flowering plants so that the nettle manure on tomatoes can develop its full potential. Both the large nettle (Urtica dioica) and the small nettle (Urtica urens) are suitable. A warm, sunny day in May is the ideal time to harvest. Do not do without protective gloves to avoid contact with the stinging hair.
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Material list:
- 10 liters of water
- 1 kilogram of fresh or 200 grams of dried nettle
- large vessel made of plastic, wood, clay or earthenware
- Wooden stir bar
- 2-3 tablespoons rock flour (€ 14.95 at Amazon *) to reduce odor
- Wire mesh (€ 14.99 at Amazon *) or grating
- Gloves
Although tomatoes are usually watered with hard tap water, the use of rain or pond water is recommended for nettle manure. The lower the lime content, the faster the fermentation proceeds. In addition, the formation of foam and bubbles is reduced.
Uncomplicated preparation
Set up the cesspool in the sunny spot at the back of the garden. Now lay up the crushed leaves, sprinkle the rock flour over them and fill in the water. Leave a 10 centimeter high border free. This makes stirring easier later.
Finally, cover the tub with the wire rack without sealing it airtight. For the following 14 days, stir the liquid once a day. If you add a dose of rock flour before each stirring, the smell is kept within limits. The nettle liquid is ready when it no longer foams and is dark in color.
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. Older tomato plants spoil you with a stronger mixture in a ratio of 1:10. Do not give the fertilizer to the green parts of the plant, but always directly to the roots.
Tips & Tricks
The unfriendly smell is significantly lessened the more oxygen is added to the manure. You should therefore install an aquarium pump in the barrel. To prevent the device from being clogged with parts of the plant, put the nettle leaves in a cotton sack or an old curtain.
