Contents:
- Natural sprays of nettles - how to do?
- Spraying nettle - aphids, tomatoes
- Spraying nettles and horsetail
On my quite large plot I do not use mineral fertilization or chemical sprays. For comprehensive plant protection, I chosenettleand I highly recommend it to everyone. I prepare afully fermented slurry ,fermenting slurry ,stockandextract
Natural sprays of nettles
Nettle is a very valuable plant. The leaves and shoots contain potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, calcium, iron, vitamins (A, B, C, K), organic acids and pigments - flavonoids, which are antioxidants and protect plants against diseases and pests.
Nettle slurryI prepare in plastic buckets. Metal cookware is not suitable for this purpose.
I harvest a kilogram of fresh nettle before flowering, then cut it into small pieces with a pruner.
Crushed herbI pour 10 liters of rainwater or heated water from my own well. I avoid using mains water because it is chlorinated. Sometimes I put several buckets at the same time.
I cover them with an old curtain with small eyelets to prevent insects and rubbish from falling into them. I put them in a secluded place of the plot.
I mix the slurry twice a day- in the morning and in the evening - so that it is well aerated. This is important as fermentation should take place under aerobic conditions. Effective Microorganisms can be added to prevent odors.
Fermentation is completed after 2-4 weeks depending on the temperature. The slurry becomes clear and stops foaming.I use it in a 1:10 or 1:20 dilution to fertilize fruit trees and shrubs, cabbage, tomatoes, cauliflower, celery, cucumbers, roses, annual flowers and perennials. Do not fertilize garlic, onions, beans and peas.
Spraying nettle
I use diluted liquid manure(1:20) against aphids, spider mites and leaf chlorosis. I spray the plants as needed every 3-4 days. To get rid of downy mildew in ornamental plants and vegetables, I usually spray at a 1: 10 dilution.
Most often I use slurry without dilutionfor multiple watering of the compost heap or for fertilizing the soil before cultivation.
Fermenting slurry4-5 days I use to combat aphids, spider mites, scales and cups on fruit trees and shrubs.
Spray the mixture at a dilution of1:50 before developing leaves and flowers 3 times every 3 days. To prepare such a preparation, I use 1 kg of green plants or 200 g of dried herb per 10 liters of water.
Nettle extractI prepare by pouring 10 liters of water onto a kilogram of fresh or 200 g of dry plants for 12-24 hours. I spray plants against spider mites and aphids with it. The preparation should be applied exactly to both sides of the leaves.
Nettle decoctionin a dilution of 1: 5 I use in early spring to combat the following fungal diseases on fruit bushes: raspberry shoot dieback, gray mold, American gooseberry mildew, rust. I prepare the decoction by pouring 10 liters of water over a kilogram of herb or 200 g of dried herbs. I cook it for 30 minutes. The preparation of the same dilution is also sprayed on the cabbage seedlings against stalks and cabbage mounds.
Nettle and horsetail spraying - step by step recipe
The addition of field horsetail in the liquid manure used for spraying is used to combat spider mites. It is also effective in the case of aphids.In this case, we use 500 g of fresh nettle leaves and 500 g of fresh horsetail sprouts. Pour about 10 liters of water and let it ferment for about a week. The canister can be exposed to the sun in the garden outside to speed up the process. When using liquid manure for spraying, remember that it must be diluted in the proportion of 1 cup of liquid manure to 5 cups of water. Ideally suited during the entire period of plant vegetation. It is an effective remedy for powdery mildew.
