Named after Monty Don (BBC Gardeners World) as he was the first gardener we saw make it, but otherwise known as nettle and comfrey fertilisers.
They’re fabulous stuff – we have made them for the last few years and the plants have looked good on it but there are a couple of things to know about these fertilisers before you start:
- they really stink (not just smell a bit) – we are talking cow slurry type smell
- they look ghastly – green, slimy “gloop”
- “bugs” grows in them – have no idea what they are but they don’t look good either!
So a strong constitution and some long sleeved water-proof gloves are a must!
As are a couple of buckets with lids, clippers, water, a garden sieve and some bottles for storing the gloop. Obviously you also need some nettles and comfrey.
Making the two “gloops” couldn’t be simpler. Just cut the nettles and fill (stuff them in) one of the buckets, add water, put the lid on and put the bucket out of the way for about a month.
Same process if you want to make the comfrey “gloop”. Cut and stuff the comfrey in to a bucket, add water, put on the lid and store for about a month.
After a month you need to strain each gloop – do this, one mix at a time, using the garden sieve over a fresh bucket and then “decant” the liquid in to bottles for storage. Wear the gloves for this process as well – you really don’t want this gloop on your skin! (Obviously if you have made the gloop in a different type of container then you may have other ways to strain it.)
Make the gloops early in the season – as soon as you have enough plant to fill a bucket and then they will be ready to use as the plants need them.
How to use them?
Each “gloop” must be diluted before use – both of them are diluted 1 part fertiliser:10 parts water at least (some advice suggests 1:20 for comfrey).
The nettle fertiliser is nitrogen rich so use this on those plants where you want “green” growth eg cabbages, kale, broccoli, wall flowers.
The comfrey fertiliser is potassium rich so use this on those plants which are fruiting eg tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers. You can use this rather than a commercial fertiliser, say, Tomorite.
How often to use them?
We use them once a week and that has seemed fine for our plants.
Why make both fertilisers?
Simply because they have different uses.
Can you mix them?
We haven’t but do sometimes water those plants that are fruiting (so getting the comfrey) with the nettle fertiliser instead ie if their leaves look like they need a pick-me-up.
Notes:
If you aren’t sure what comfrey is here’s a link http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/127567/comfrey
If you want more information on how to make the “gloop” or other information on general organic fertilisers try either of these links:
http://greensideup.ie/how-to-make-comfrey-nettle-fertiliser/
http://gentleworld.org/whats-hiding-in-your-organic-fertilizer/