Using Stinging Nettle as Natural Fertilizer
Stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) is a common plant found in many temperate regions worldwide. Many people consider it an unwanted weed because of its stinging hairs. However, it is a valuable resource for gardening. Stinging nettle is especially useful for making nutrient-rich liquid fertilizer that provides soil nutrition and supports plant growth.
This article explains how to use stinging nettle as fertilizer in your garden. It describes which nutrients the plant contains and how this natural fertilizer can increase growth and yield. A video link at the end shows the process in practice.
Benefits of using stinging nettle as fertilizer
Rich in nutrients: Stinging nettle contains large amounts of the main nutrients plants need. These include nitrogen (N), potassium (K), and phosphorus (P). It also contains trace elements, minerals, and vitamins.
Strong natural fertilizer: Nutrients are released gradually when nettle liquid is used. This provides plants with a steady supply.
Preserves biodiversity: Using natural fertilizer reduces the need for synthetic fertilizers. Synthetic fertilizers can disturb soil life. Nettle liquid supports healthy microbial life in the soil.
Easy to obtain: Stinging nettle grows in many regions worldwide. It is easily accessible and free.
Environmentally friendly solution: It has a low carbon footprint. It reduces the risk of nutrient leakage because the raw material is simple and safe.
Main nutrients in stinging nettle
Stinging nettle is surprisingly rich in nutrients that benefit plants. The liquid can also function as a mild weed suppressant. It may repel certain pests. This combination makes plants stronger and improves growth in a completely organic way. Stinging nettle contains:
Nitrogen (N): Essential for plant growth. It produces strong, green foliage.
Potassium (K): Important for flowering, fruit setting, and water balance.
Phosphorus (P): Necessary for root development, flower formation, and fruit production.
Minerals such as silicon, manganese, and calcium: These strengthen cell walls. They increase disease resistance and improve crop quality.
Trace elements: Iron (Fe), magnesium (Mg), zinc (Zn), and others are present in small but important amounts. They support plant metabolism.
How to make nettle liquid fertilizer
Below are the steps. A video link follows that shows the complete process.
Harvesting and preparation
Choose young nettle shoots before flowering. They are most nutrient-rich at this stage.
Use gloves to avoid stinging from the nettle hairs.
Cut top shoots and leaves. Leave the roots so the plant can continue growing.
Mixing
Place leaves and stems in a large bucket (10 liters). Use approximately 1.25 kg of fresh nettle.
Mix in brown sugar at a ratio of 3 parts nettle to 2 parts sugar (see table below). You can tear the nettle into smaller pieces during mixing.
Cover the mixture with a thin layer of sugar. Press down firmly. Place a clean, disinfected stone on top as weight.
Fermentation
Cover the bucket with cheesecloth or breathable fabric. Secure with string or elastic band to keep insects out.
Place the bucket in a warm location (around 20°C) in shade. Avoid direct sunlight.
Let the mixture ferment for 5-6 days until it forms a dark liquid with a pleasant smell.
Mark the bucket with start and end dates to track fermentation time.
Straining and diluting
Strain the liquid into a clean container using a funnel or cheesecloth. A 10-liter bucket produces approximately 1 liter of concentrate.
When watering vegetables, dilute to 1:500 (1 part concentrate to 500 parts water). This prevents burning the plants. One liter of concentrate produces 500 liters of fertilizer solution.
Application
Spray the mixture directly on leaves early in the morning. Plants absorb nutrients quickly, often within a few hours.
One spraying per week is sufficient during the growth period. Repeat every 14 days when plants are producing fruit.
Monitor plants: Yellowing or weakness may indicate you need to increase the dose. Excessive leaf growth may indicate too much nitrogen. Reduce the nettle amount or add phosphorus-rich or potassium-rich fertilizer (such as wood ash).
Important for seeds: You can give seeds a boost by soaking them in a stronger seed mixture of nettle water (a few drops of concentrate in half a glass of water) for 20-60 minutes before sowing. Small seeds need shorter time, large seeds need longer time. Hard-coated seeds can soak for up to several hours.
Table: Correct ratio of nettle to sugar
| Volume | Nettle (g) | Brown Sugar (g) | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 L | 1,250 | 833 | Basic recipe (3:2 ratio) |
| 5 L | 625 | 417 | Half recipe |
| 1 L | 125 | 83 | 1/10 of basic recipe |
| 500 mL | 62.5 | 42 | Half liter |
How to dilute concentrate for plant spray
For approximately 5 liters of spray solution:
5 L = 5,000 mL water
Ratio 1:500 → 5,000 mL / 500 = 10 mL concentrate
For approximately 1 liter of spray solution:
1 L = 1,000 mL water
Ratio 1:500 → 1,000 mL / 500 = 2 mL concentrate
Quick recipe:
5 L water + 10 mL concentrate (1:500)
1 L water + 2 mL concentrate (1:500)
This produces a properly weak mixture that nourishes without burning.
When and how to use nettle spray
Timing: Begin from germination and early growth, around transplanting time, and before or after flowering and fruit setting. Spray once per week on a fixed day.
Nitrogen-rich: Nettle liquid is especially rich in nitrogen. Too much can produce leaf-heavy plants at the expense of flowers and fruit. Follow the recommended interval.
Avoid overuse: Adjust according to plant response. For yellowing leaves, you can increase the dose. If plants grow too rapidly and produce only leaves, reduce slightly and add phosphorus or potassium from other sources (wood ash, compost tea, or similar).
Video: Nettle extract step by step
This video shows which raw materials are needed, how nettle is harvested, fermented, and used to provide nutrition to vegetables.
Good advice and precautions
Use gloves: Stinging nettle stings the skin because the nettle hairs contain histamine and other irritating substances.
Avoid contaminated plants: Do not collect nettle from areas where herbicides or insecticides may have been sprayed.
Use clean water: Use clean water or rainwater in the nettle liquid. Avoid water that may be contaminated by sewage or surface water containing harmful substances.
Benefits for sustainable and environmentally friendly gardening
Less waste: Better yields produce less waste.
Increased biodiversity: Natural fertilizer strengthens plant health and maintains rich microbial life in the soil.
Self-sufficiency: Using plants from the local environment (such as stinging nettle) increases self-sufficiency. It reduces dependence on imported resources.
Environmental protection: Reduces the need for chemical compounds that can harm the environment and ecosystems.
Health: Produces higher quality crops that are better for both humans and animals.
Stinging nettle is an excellent nutrient source for all garden plants when used correctly. With a simple method, you can make fermented nettle concentrate. This provides nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus, and many micronutrients that support healthy growth. It is inexpensive, accessible, environmentally friendly, and easy to make.
If you want to increase yield, strengthen plants, or reduce the environmental impact of gardening, nettle watering can be highly effective. Put on gloves, find a bucket or large container, harvest nettle, and let nature do the work as intended.
Try using stinging nettle in your garden and observe the results.
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