Stringing Nettle-Free Garden Nutrients.

Welcome to Spring and all that it entails for you and your garden.

For some of us it's a busy time, for others it's a case of slow and steady- a little bit here, a little bit there but for all of us it should be a happy place. There is nothing that needs to stress you out in you garden.

Every spring I like to get a couple buckets going of nettle tonic. It's a free product that you can forage from your garden or go out and find it in the wild- just remember to take your gloves.

Nettle Tonic

There is nothing complicated about making nettle tonic, you just need a bucket with a lid, fresh water and a good quantity of nettle.

The tonic is high in all the important properties required for the garden- nitrogen, potassium and magnesium but also contains iron(helps with photosynthesis) and calcium (helps create strong cell structure)

To make always use the soft new stems of nettle, collect as much as you can.

Roughly chop with a spade, place into the bucket and cover with rain water(if possible but tap works) Cover with the lid and leave in a warm, sunny spot for 2-3weeks till the plant decomposes.

Strain and compost any solid waste. Store in a container with a lid.

When you want to use mix to a ratio of 1 part tonic to 10 parts water or 100ml to 1Lt

This is beneficial to any heavy feeder or leafy greens in your garden. Roses and tomatoes don't like it as much as they don't particularly like the high iron.