Nettle manure: Effect and preparation of the manure

Nettle manure strengthens the plants naturally. We show the advantages, application of the popular liquid manure and how to prepare it correctly.

Every hobby gardener has probably heard of plant manure. It is said to be a panacea against plant pests and also a good organic fertilizer. A particularly popular liquid manure is the well-known nettle manure. Some experts also swear by the effect of the liquid manure, although this has not yet been scientifically proven. Regardless of whether it has been proven or not, we will show you the possibilities and strengths of nettle manure.

Benefits & mode of action of nettle manure

Like all vegetable manure, nettle manure is produced through a fermentation process. Microorganisms ensure that nutrients such as nitrogen are extracted from the leaves and stems of the nettle (

Urtica) be released. As with a mineral fertilizer, the nutrients are immediately available to the plant. The fertilizer effect occurs immediately with manure and that is also the reason why they are also so popular as biological fertilizer. In addition, all kinds of other herbal ingredients are released during fermentation, such as enzymes. A particularly interesting ingredient in nettles is silica. This component of the nettle ensures strong cell walls and thus better protection against insect infestation and fungal diseases. Due to the wide variety of ingredients that are released by the manure, there are many areas of application.

Normally, nettle manure is only used diluted, as it can cause burns to the plants. This is probably due to the high ammonium content (a form of nitrogen). However, undiluted nettle liquid manure can be applied as a basic fertilization to a bed that has not yet been planted. There the manure should be worked in easily and after about a week the bed can then be planted without hesitation. For heavy consumers, however, such fertilization is not enough: Here, additional fertilization with compost is recommended.

In general, nettle manure is very suitable as a fertilizer for vegetables (cucumbers, cabbage, tomatoes, zucchini), but not for beans, peas and onions and for fruits and flowers. If the plants are already on the bed, they should only be watered with a 1: 10-20 dilution, but regularly. Incidentally, manure is more suitable for a pouring treatment. Syringes clog quickly when using liquid manure. Should the nettle like against pests Aphids and Spider mites help or against fungal diseases, we recommend using a broth. We'll go into the difference in more detail in the next section on manufacturing. The broth is supposed to keep pests away from the plants on the one hand and strengthen the plant cells on the other. Regular use is also crucial here. However, we strongly doubt the effect against ants, snails and voles. It is best to apply the broths and manure in the evening. Under no circumstances should the nettle manure be applied in full sun.

The following products have proven themselves in our garden:

• Nettle powder: for making nettle broths
• Nettle pellets: Herbal preparation for making nettle broth; approved for organic farming

Production: Prepare nettle liquid

Preparing nettle manure is actually relatively easy. You only need a container made of plastic or earthenware (no metal). The barrel is placed in the sun as much as possible, as the heat accelerates the fermentation process. The fresh and non-blooming nettles are placed in the barrel. Alternatively, you can also use dried nettle, which is available in pellet form, among other things.

Mixing ratio: 10 kg of fresh nettles or 500 - 1000g of dried nettles to 50 liters of water.

Then the barrel should be covered with a grid or similar so that no animals can drown in the barrel. Now you have to be patient, as the fermentation can take 10 to 14 days. On innumerable pages, the tip is now given that stirring must then be carried out daily for a better oxygen supply. Fermentation is a process that does not require oxygen. So forget about this step! Rock flour helps against unpleasant smells, as it also enhances the liquid manure with its ingredients.

Nettle broth: Here the approach with the nettles is only allowed to infuse for 12 to 24 hours and has to be consumed on the same day. To do this, first strain the broth through a coffee filter and then spray undiluted onto the plants.

In contrast to the odorless nettle broth, the nettle manure can be stored. For this purpose, it can be filled into canisters, for example. Unfortunately, an exact storage time cannot be given at this point, as this of course also depends on the storage conditions. Because nettle manure should be applied regularly, the supply is likely to run out quickly.