Chris and Junka's growing diary
Japanese leaves grown outside are smaller and harder than those inside - tasty but not suitable for salad. It's interesting to see the difference depending on their growing environment.| Comfrey Historically grown for its medicinal properties - from healing broken bones to a tea for colds. It is grown in Africa in modern times as a major source of animal feed - the 'Bocking 4' variety has a 35% protein content. For the organic gardener Comfrey is one of the best sources of plant nutrients - the 'Bocking 14' variety has a 7% potash content - ideal for use as a mulch or liquid organic fertiliser. Cultivation Sow in modules or trays under cover in late spring and early summer. The 'Bocking' varieties can only propagated by root cutting. Cut leaves 3-4 times a year and use as mulch and liquid organic fertiliser. |
| Liquid Organic Fertiliser - High in Potassium Put 5Kg (10lb) of freshly cut 'Bocking 14' leaves into a 100 litre (20 gallon) tapped non-metal container. Ideally fill with rain water - but tap water will do - add a few drops of vinegar to drop the alkalinity levels of the tap water. Leave to simmer for a month and then draw off the liquid - beware it reeks! Use Can be used as a foliar feed - if so strain and mix 1 part gunk to 40 parts water. Can be stored in a cool dark place in a screw-top plastic bottle. |
| Recommended Cultivars Common / Wild Comfrey: 'Hidcote Blue', 'Bocking 14'. Nettle Nettle has been used for making fabric for thousands of years - although it's close relative Hemp is more widely used today. Nettle is ideal for the 'wildlife' part of garden - attracting moths and butterflies and providing food for bugs. It works as a fungicide, an insecticide against aphids and mites, and also as a powerful growth stimulant. Active Ingredients Rich in minerals - including nitrogen and iron and many micronutrients, formic acid. Harvesting & Storing Pick young leaves from late spring to late summer. Dry or use fresh for liquid organic fertilizer. Liquid Organic Fertiliser Put 1Kg (2lb) of freshly cut leaves in 12.5 litre (2.5 gallon) of water into a non-metal container - mixing in chunks of root adds a fungicidal action. Ideally fill with rain water - but tap water will do if you add a few drops of vinegar. Leave to simmer for less than a week and then draw off the liquid. Can be stored in a cool dark place in a screw-top plastic bottle. Use Can be used as a foliar feed or soil drench - dilute to 20%. Can be used as a growth stimulant - dilute to 20% and soak roots for 12 hours before planting. Can be used as a herbicide or insecticide - use full strength. Horsetail Horsetail is one of the few plants originating in the days of the dinosaurs and does not flower as such but has spores more like ferns. It works as a fungicide, and organic root and general growth stimulator. Active Ingredients Various alkaloids and minerals, nicotinic acid, silica. Harvesting & Storing Pick the tips from late spring to late summer. Dry or use fresh for liquid organic fertiliser. Liquid Organic Fertiliser Boil 0.5Kg (1lb) of fresh plant in 10 litre (5 qts) of water for 1 hour. Ideally use rain water - but tap water will do if you add a few drops of vinegar. Allow to infuse 12 hours then filter. Can be stored in a cool dark place in a screw-top plastic bottle. Use Can be used as a foliar feed or fungicide - dilute to 20%. Can be used as a root and growth stimulator - dilute to 20% and soak roots for 12 hours before planting. |
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