[Scribbler]

This may be useful. When I had my plot, I had an old plastic dustbin which I kept half full of water. To this I added all the nettles I dug up during The Clearances. The green liquid feed smelt terrible, but I'm sure the plants loved it. Great way to solve the nettle problem too.

[rikknikk]

Has anybody used this type of feed, is it any good and do you have to dilute?

[Goldfinger]

And, does the nettles tell you how good / bad the soil is??

I have load of nettles and dock on the next bit of plot I'm clearing, so I thought I'd ask also....

[compostqueen]

you dilute it til it's the colour of tea (without milk obviously  )  Good stuff it is too.  Wear gloves as it makes your hands stink

Nettles are supposed to be a sign of soil fertility

[Goldfinger]

Can we put the dock leaves in the tank also??

[green fingers]

I used it last year - it is very good as a liquid feed (diluted).  I wouldnt add dock leaves

[Goldfinger]

Thanks for that bit of advice, think i'll put the nettles into the water butts as i clear my next
bit of plot then.

Thanks again,

GF

[sclarke624]

Mind if it has a tap on the water butts that it doesn't clog it up, just a guess not done it myself.

[Siouxfly]

Oh good idea    I have a fair amount of nettles to get rid of think I might try this but as I don't have a big butt (some might disagree on that one  ) could I just use a big pail and water it down as I use it?

[solway cropper]

you can also eat them. they make a very nice soup with leeks and potatoes.

I don't use a nettle feed as I have access to seaweed and that makes a powerful and very smelly concoction. I leave it to soak for months...or until the neighbours complain 

[fletch]

could I just use a big pail and water it down as I use it?

Yep! That's what I did last year.

The only other requirement is a peg for your nose. It STINKS!!!!!   

[barbarella]

I'd just like to pick up this thread again.  I drowned some nettles in a plastic container several weeks ago and the result is now good and stinky.  Is this a good feed for tomatoes, peppers etc and if so should I water the plants with it instead of or as well as Tomorite?  In other words, is it high in potash or just a general plant booster?

[Zippy]

I planted nettle roots on my allotment just so I could have some Nettle Tea! Don't tell my committee I told you!

[WhiteWolf]

I was taught to put the nettles in to some kind of string sack / onion sack, tie a string round the top then throw it in and tie the other end to a brick or other heavy weight. That way you can pull the bag of nettle "gunk" out when all the goodness has leached away.

WW 

[Sideshoot]

How long does it take for the 'tea' to be ready to use ?