My primary natural fertilizer is farmyard manure, I usually apply this in spring time but after a couple of months some of the nutrients will get depleted so it needs a top up.
Having some home made fertilizers to hand throughout the growing season is a must for my small scale flower farm. It gives my blooms a much needed natural boost, much like an afternoon snack for us. I use it every week or two and vary what I use each time, rotating with seaweed fertilizer which I buy in, and also some pelleted checkin manure every couple of months so that I can give plants a range of nutrients.
Nitrogen is the nutrient which needs to be topped up the most during the growing season. This is because the soil can not store nitrogen for later use. Its used up wuickly and leeches away quickly. So its better to give small dioses, littke and often. It is essentail for green leafy growth so should be given at the beginning and middle of the season. Spring & Summer, not in Autumn.
Potassium affects a plant metabolism and balance of fluids, it enables woody plants to mature and prepare for winter dormancy, a little bit like antifreeze. It is also great for setting fruit and can have an impact on the quality and longevity of fruits and affect their sugar levels. It can be given later in the growing season just when fruits start to form or from midsummer into autumn for woody plants.
Phosphorous is an important nutrient to help plants grow big and strong and helps their root system. It's more stable than nitrogen so it does not leech as easily however when the temperature falls below 10°c is can no longer be made available for plants to absorb. So should be given early and mid season for the best results.
Here are my favourite recipes below:
Nettle Tea
*High in nitrogen
Fill a bucket with chopped nettles and add water to the top. Cover and leave outside for around a week in a far far away place (as it will soon start to stink)
Strain off the liquid and dilute with approx 10 parts water. Can be used as a foliar feed on a sprayer or to water the soil .
Comfrey Feed
*A good all rounder with Nitrogen, Phosphorous & Potassium
Fill a bucket with chopped Comfrey and add water to the top. Cover and leave outside for around three weeks in a far far away place (as it will soon start to stink)
Strain off the liquid and dilute with approx 10 parts water. Water into the soil.
Manure Soup
*A good all rounder with Nitrogen, Phosphorous & Potassium
Mix a handfulls of manure and garden compost together and stuff into an old pair of tights or a mesh bag. Place into a bucket of water for a few days to seep. Use to water into the soil.
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