Nettle fertilizer for an optimal strawberry harvest

Do you love strawberries? Well, everyone does, especially children. You can grow strawberries both on your balcony, or in your garden and you may harvest in June and July. But successful harvest depends on many factors. You have to make sure that your strawberries get the proper care, watering and other important things as well. Fertilization should not be neglected either but if you are thinking about chemical fertilizers forget it. We shall take a look at a natural fertilizer made from common nettles only.

Get up and go nettle picking

Take a walk. We are all locked at the office or home for most of the day, so little trip will not hurt you. You will need gloves and basket. Common nettles are the ideal fertilizer for your flower beds. You will not use them fresh but you will let them ferment first. Natural nettle fertilizer contains the following:

• zinc,
• potassium,
• iron,
• phosphorus
• and other substances.

The process is not complicated.

Photo: Pixabay

How to make a natural fertilizer from nettles

First, chop nettles into smaller pieces and put them in a plastic bucket. Nettles should fill about three quarters of the bucket. Now, fill it completely with water. If you can, use rain water, but you can also use water from your faucet. Just let it sit for a while. You need to mix it thoroughly everyday. The process takes about 2 weeks. Don’t be surprised if the “cocktail” smells really bad. It’s just the way it is.

How should you use this potent fertilizer?

First, keep in mind that this fertilizer must be diluted, because it is way too strong and could burn your plants. Dilute it in 1:50 ratio. In short, 1 part of nettle cocktail and 50 parts water. Pour the fertilizer directly on the roots of strawberries and do it twice a week. Fertilize before your strawberries bloom. You may also use nettle fertilizer against aphids. Pour the fertilizer into an atomizer bottle and spray plants with it. Aphids should disappear shortly. You may also use this fertilizer on raspberries and blackberries – once a month.

Preview photo: Pixabay