I think this can definitely be classed as a Green Tea!
I strained off from my bucket enough to fill this 500ml container six times. The liquid was dark green, murky and full of fibres. I used it on the plants that I felt needed it most - my Squashes and Cucumbers. Hopefully it will give them the boost of which they are in such dire need.
Once I had used the liquid, all that remained in the bucket was a soggy mass of stalks.
These will eventually break down too, so I put in a few more Comfrey leaves and some more water and "put it on the back burner to brew some more".
Several of the cuttings that I planted on 12th June have already sprouted, so hopefully my Comfrey patch will be brought back up to strength by the end of the Summer.
All I did with these was to chop a length of stalk into approximately 6" lengths and bury each one deeply in the moist soil.
I think it helps if you ensure that each section includes a leaf joint, but it's not vital.
If only more plants would establish from cuttings this readily!
Good stuff Comfrey, the tea should really give your plants a boost. Its also good in trenches before planting out potatoes. I sometimes use grass cuttings & nettles for a tea brew.
ReplyDeleteHope you got in the shower after playing with your tea. Ours is still brewing and I'm not looking forward to when the lid comes off!
ReplyDeleteI'm sure your plants will enjoy the brew.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting Mark. I may have to look for some comfrey seeds.
ReplyDeleteBecky; I'd be surprised if you were able to get comfrey seeds. Most types (especially the really good "Bocking 14") are infertile and are grown from cuttings like I did.
DeleteLike Rooko, I add Nettles and Burdock to my Comfrey brew. I strain it thoroughly and I also use about 250ml in a water bottle sprayer, slightly diluted - to use as a natural insecticide. Works great against whitefly and aphids. Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteI've never heard of comfrey being used as an insecticide, but if you reckon it's good I reckon it's worth a try. Thanks for the tip. I might try it on my Broad Beans next year.
DeleteHow did you make the tea Mark?
ReplyDeleteErin; I described this in detail in a post published on 17th June.
DeleteLovely comfrey fertilizer. I mixed nettle and comfrey together this year and boy what a stinky smell it has! I'm thinking it might revitalise courgettes as well. I have two big comfrey plants as another one came up this year. One of my plants is so well rooted it would take a bulldozer to get it out! The bees love the flowers which have a bit of a lavender look.
ReplyDeleteOkay...I'll go back and read it. Don't know how I missed it. Thanks Mark.
ReplyDeleteI haven't heard so much of this being done in the states. Perhaps I'm running with the wrong crowd?
ReplyDeleteMy comfrey patch has only been planted out in the plot for a few weeks, but it is growing fast.
ReplyDeleteI started a nettle brew about 2 months ago, it stinks, but I m using it on all the green plants,
leeks, PSB & spinach. They seem pretty happy.
I m lucky as a family member likes letting his nettles grow......... I can start my next batch
soon!
I was thinking of using a mix of comfrey & nettles (once I have a enough comfrey)
maybe it would be a more balanced tea?