The trick to a healthy garden lies in a single secret ingredient, and what’s more, it’s free. Let’s take a look at what it is.
Whether you have a garden or a small vegetable patch , the greatest satisfaction is undoubtedly seeing it flourish. Very often, we rely on ready-to-use fertilizers that are found on the market in different formulations, yet not everyone knows that it is possible to make a nitrogen-based fertilizer directly at home and with an ingredient that is easy to find directly in nature. Let’s find out how.
How to have a healthy garden
Maintaining a beautiful garden can be a difficult task, but with a little planning and care, it can undoubtedly become an enjoyable and satisfying activity . The first step is to carefully plan the layout of the garden.
Indeed, the position of the sun, the size of the garden and the maintenance requirements must be taken into consideration. Once you have decided how to arrange it, you will need to choose the plants suited to the climate and you will need to prepare the soil .
How to have a healthy garden
Basic care includes regular watering and adequate sunlight . It is also important to keep the garden free of weeds and pests. Tending to the garden at least once a week helps keep it in good condition, but it is equally important to have well-nourished soil . This is possible thanks to a fundamental nutrient, namely nitrogen, which can be obtained freely in nature. So let’s see how to make nitrogen fertilizer for the garden using a plant considered a weed and a weed: nettle.
A fertilizer to nourish the soil
As mentioned, it is possible to make a nitrogen-based fertilizer by exploiting what nature offers . In this case, nettles, well-known weeds and fast-growing plants, are excellent allies.
Nettles are plants that grow literally everywhere in the world . They are rich in vitamins and minerals and are a source of antioxidants , protein, fiber, and essential fatty acids. They are also rich in iron, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, and potassium, as well as B vitamins, including thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12. They also contain vitamins A, C, E, and K, and thanks to their properties, they are often used in herbal teas, supplements, and decoctions, as well as garden fertilizers .
Nettles to fertilize the soil
Nettle fertilizer can be used to increase soil fertility and help improve plant health . Contains a high amount of nutrients, such as potassium, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, nitrogen and more.
It can be used to nourish plants, improve soil structure, reduce pest infestations, and help prevent plant diseases . It is also useful for improving plant resistance to cold and drought. In short, a real panacea for a healthy garden, let’s find out how to prepare it.
Preparation of fertilizer
To get a great fertilizer, you first need to get some nettles . These are plants that can be easily harvested, so put on some gloves and start mowing the amount you need for your garden.
Get a bucket to put the nettles in. The tip is to chop the leaves into small pieces to aid the fermentation process .
When you’re done, pour rainwater into the bucket , but don’t fill it to the brim, as fermentation will cause it to expand. Then cover the bucket, making sure not to seal it, so that the fermentation gases can escape freely.
Prepare a fertilizer with nettles
Once this is done, find a sheltered spot for your bucket, as you will have to wait 3 weeks for the fertilizer to be ready , and normally the fermentation process gives off unpleasant odors. During the three weeks, remember to mix everything regularly every 3 or 4 days.
When you notice the absence of bubbles and foam, fermentation is complete and your fertilizer is ready. The compound is very strong, so to be used, it is essential to dilute it in a ratio of 1:10 , that is, for one cup of fertilizer 10 cups of water. You can use it to water your garden every 3 weeks and in a short time you will see the fruits of a well-nourished soil.