Lots of small jobs around the smallholding completed today. One of which was bottling up liquid manure for next year. I have a large lidded container in which I soak a pillowcase, like a giant teabag, containing a mixture of manure and comfrey leaves. This has been stewing since the Spring. I can retrieve the the bag as it is tied up with a length of baler twine which is fixed to a post adjacent to the container.
I was able to fill eight 2 litre milk containers full. When it is used as a liquid fertilizer I dilute it roughly 1:10. It is obviously not scientifically formulated but I am sure makes a useful dietary supplement for greenhouse crops, container grown plants and, this summer, feeding a lawn. Its also a sustainable product re-circulating components from the holding. And its free.
I gave the lettuces (Little Gem) and spinach leaves growing in the greenhouse for winter harvesting a feed while I was at it too.
Homemade liquid fertilizers like comfrey and nettle tea are the gold standard for sustainable smallholding. Your detailed approach to these natural 'brews' highlights the importance of nutrient recycling in a closed-loop system. To further enhance the microbial diversity of these teas, I've found that adding a concentrated solucan gubresi extract acts as an incredible bio-stimulant. It introduces specialized enzymes and beneficial bacteria that make the plant-based nutrients even more bioavailable. Thank you for sharing these authentic and practical farming insights!
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