Make these herb tonics to nurture your plants
Just as you might enjoy a freshly brewed cup of herbal tea, your garden and plants will benefit from a herbal cuppa, too. By Jane Wrigglesworth. “If you steep plants in water, many of those nutrients will seep out into the water. And those same nutritiona
Many plants absorb nutrients from the soil through their roots, which are then absorbed into their cells. If you steep those plants in water, many of those nutrients will seep out into the water. And those same nutritional properties that nourish us when drinking a herbal tea can nourish our plants, too.
Comfrey (Symphytum officinale) harvests good amounts of potassium. Clover harvests nitrogen. Sorrel (Rumex spp.) takes up phosphorus. Dock (Rumex obtusifolius) accumulates calcium, potassium, iron and phosphorus. Chickweed (Stellaria media) absorbs potassium, phosphorus and manganese, and dandelions (Taraxacum officinale) absorb a host of minerals.
So why not make a nourishing tea for your garden from these plants? Comfrey, sorrel and nettle will supply a great all-round fertilising herbal tea with good amounts of nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus.
To make a nutritious tea for your garden, fill a bucket with any or all of these plants and top with water. Steep for 2-3 weeks, stirring occasionally. Strain and dilute to the colour of weak tea before using. Put any remaining sludge from your finished brew in the compost bin.
How to make comfrey tea for your garden
As comfrey absorbs large amounts of potassium from the soil, it’s a useful fertiliser where high levels of potassium are needed. Capsicums, potatoes, broad beans and cucumbers all thrive on it. If growing and using comfrey as a herbal tea for the garden, you should get four or five good harvests a year, from late spring to late autumn. Plans are ready for cutting 5-6 weeks after the previous harvests.
Fresh comfrey leaves can also be placed around berry plants as well as fruit trees as a nutritious mulch. A layer of moistened grass clippings will keep them in place. Or you can place one- or two-day-old wilted comfrey leaves in the bottom of trenches before planting your potatoes. The leaves break down rapidly and supply potassium for the developing potato plants.
Planted in the garden, German chamomile (Matricaria recutita) draws potassium, sulphur and calcium to the soil surface, to the benefit of plants nearby. Made into a tea, it may prevent seedlings from succumbing to damping off, due to its antifungal properties. To make a tea, pour two cups of freshly boiled water over a quarter of a cup of chamomile flowers. Let steep until cool, then strain. Water your seedlings or put in a spray bottle to spray on plants.
Make a nutritious nettle tea for your plants
Urtica dioica, or stinging nettle, is a perennial that’s valued for its medicinal properties – but it’s a pest plant in some areas of New Zealand, and banned from sale or propagation, so check with your local council for more details.
The annual nettle, Urtica urens, can also be used as a plant tonic.
To make a nettle tea, harvest the leaves (make sure you wear gloves and long trousers) and fill a 10-litre bucket, packing the nettles in. Fill the bucket with water, cover and steep for 2-3 weeks until they decompose (the hotter the weather, the less time they need).
Stirring mixes oxygen, which is essential to the survival of bacteria breaking down the plants, into the liquid.
The mix will bubble as it ferments. When it stops bubbling, strain and use at a ratio of one part nettles to 10 parts water. – NZ Gardener