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Stinging nettle tea vs comfrey tea.

Chris MasonChris Mason Posts: 159
in Talkback

 

Just looking for opinions, 

  I'm hoping to make 'teas' next year as a cheap/free fertilizer, my original plan was to grow a large patch of comfrey and obviously use that as a fertilizer, but I've just been reading that stinging nettle tea is an alternative.    The livery yard I'm currently working at has literally a unlimited supply of nettles.    The question I have is: In terms of NPK and minerals, is there much of a difference between comfrey tea and stinging nettle tea?      I'll be using this on hazels, dog roses, field roses, hollies, ash saplings and a few other things.    Thank you
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Posts

  • fidgetbonesfidgetbones Posts: 17,618

    Nettle tea is high in nitrogen and good for leafy greens and brassicas. Comfrey is better for fruit as it has more potash.

  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,075

    Last year Beechgrove (BBC2 Sunday mornings or BBC2 Scotland in the week) did an experiment with feeding tomatoes.   Comfrey won hands down over commercial fertilisers.  The old presenter was flabbergasted.

    As Fidget says, it is high in the nutrients that promote flowers and fruiting.   Nettles have loads of nitrogen which is good for leafy plants.   The best quality teas are made with fresh growth ffrom spring and early summer pickings.

    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • Chris MasonChris Mason Posts: 159

    The stuff will be grown/picked next spring, I'm not making anything now, in terms of what I'm growing, what would you recommend? 

  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,384

    "Bocking 14" comfrey is what I'd recommend.  The seeds are sterile so you won't be bothered by it seeding itself all over the place which can be a problem with common comfrey.  Comfrey tea is fantastic stuff and you can also add the leaves to compost heaps as an accelerant, so your heap rots down quicker.

    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • Tony AustinTony Austin Posts: 38

    Where would I get comfrey seeds for fertiliser from,and as there are several types which are the best.

  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,384

     If you want the "Bocking 14" variety Tony, you have to buy bare roots as there are no seeds available.  If you really do want to grow common comfrey, then look for "Symphytum officinale var patens" seeds which are widely available.  Some of the other comfreys are grown as ornamentals rather than for their use as a fertilizer.

    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • Tony AustinTony Austin Posts: 38

    ThanksThanks bob,do they go under any othername?i am limited here with suppliers and will probably have to go on line.

  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,384

    I buy most of my seeds online and can recommend seedaholic.com who have them:

    http://www.seedaholic.com/symphytum-officinale-comfrey.html

     

    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • fidgetbonesfidgetbones Posts: 17,618

    you can order Bocking 14 comfrey roots from chase organics

    http://www.organiccatalogue.com/p1492/COMFREY-PLANTS-Bocking-14-Pack-of-5/product_info.html

    These were the ones that Lawrence Hills did all his experimenting on at Ryton Gardens.

  • Tony AustinTony Austin Posts: 38

    Thanks to all of you.

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