Fertiliser, garden tea & other concoctions

Liquid fertiliser is a great asset to the organic garden. It is rapidly ingested and can be used in the ground or as a foliage spray.

Foliar feeding of liquid manures or teas can correct nutrient deficiencies, maintain resistance to pests and diseases and boost the yield of vegetables and fruit.

If you can brew a decent cup of tea, you’re sure to have fun experimenting with the giant teabag method of making fertiliser.

You will need:
• A standard or large garbage bin with a lid to keep out flies and mosquitoes (but not airtight)
• A hessian bag or fine mesh onion bag
• A bucket in which to strain the brew
• A watering can or sprayer
• Animal & Bird Manure

Animal manure is high in nitrogen and bird manure rich in potassium. Fowl manure needs to be more diluted before use.

Here’s what you do:
1. Pack the hessian bag full of manure.
2. Tie the neck of the bag with strong twine or fine rope.
3. Suspend the bag in the container so that it’s covered in water.
4. Leave the twine dangling over the edge of the container for lifting when necessary.
5. Cover with the lid.
6. Jiggle the bag up and down every few days until the brew is ready in about 3 weeks.
7. Strain the liquid into the bucket before filling watering can or sprayer.

The residue in the bag can be spread around trees or placed in the compost heap. Dilute animal manure 1:10 parts water and the fowl manure 1:20.

Garden tea
Use finely chopped green plant matter – vegie peelings, lawn clippings, garden herbs, weeds etc. A variety of plant matter provides a balance of trace elements. Produce in the same way as manures. Dilute 1:10 parts water.

Comfrey leaves are an excellent fertiliser and a compost activator. Comfrey ‘tea’ will provide nitrogen, calcium, potash and phosphorus and, sprayed on the foliage, it will act as an insect deterrent. A 50/50 dilution is fine for established plants. Younger plants dilute to 25/75.

Worm castings
Mix pure castings in water at a ratio of 200gms to 1 litre water. Shake thoroughly and allow to soak for 24 hours. Allow the castings to sink to the bottom and drain off liquid. It should be coloured but tasteless and odourless. It’s a gentle brew that is an amazing growth booster.

Not every plant has a liking for liquid fertiliser. As a rule of thumb for the vegie patch – crops above the ground (such as cabbage, tomatoes, pumpkin) love liquid fertiliser. Crops below the ground (root crops) dislike liquid fertiliser, compost and manures. Ah well, you can’t please everyplant all the time.

www.organicdownunder.com
The Organic Gardener, Autumn, 2000
Earthworms in Australia, David Murphy, Hyland House Publishing Pty Ltd