Re: Weed & manure teas

[Kelley <amaranth@uninets.net>]

April,

You just put it in water?  Do you cover it to keep more flies out?  Is it like making
vinegar?  Curious.
Thanks.

Kelley

April Sampson-Kelly wrote:

> In permaculture we try to make things work at least two ways.
> so i use a lot of green manure/tea that i make from
> 1. highly noxious weeds (fermented until absolutely unable to rise again.
> 2. any fruit-fly infected fruits left over from summer.  (again this kills
> the fly eggs
> and maintains healthy orchard hygiene and returns nutrients to the soil.  i
> am careful to let it
> brew until it is no longer too acidic.  (sometimes all year)
>
> April
> Permaculture Visions International
> Students and graduates in 13 countries
> http://www.ozemail.com.au/~askpv
>
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: CtopherP@aol.com [mailto:CtopherP@aol.com]
> > Sent: Friday, 14 May 1999 1:55
> > To: permaculture
> > Subject: [permaculture] Re: Weed & manure teas
> >
> >
> >
> > In a message dated 5/13/99 9:39:11 AM, you wrote:
> >
> > <<I'm interested in reading people's experiences with weed teas
> > and manure
> > teas as fertilizers.   I'd like to embark on an extensive fertilizing
> > routine using these two nutrient sources but want to reduce my learning
> > curve relative to how to effectively apply them.  Any information or
> > recommendations of resources would be helpful.
> > >>
> >
> > the folks that work with john jeavons put out a little booklet on foliar
> > feeding with manure and weed teas. they take the view that foliar
> > feeding, or
> > any kind of fertilization program, basically feeds the plants. for
> > sustainablility one should be focused on feeding the soil. that
> > being said,
> > foliar feeding, which is a very direct way to get the teas to the
> > plants, is
> > a good remedial method of fertilization when your soil is still being
> > developed. my experience would tend to support this point of view. in the
> > early stages of developing gardens, first couple years, foliar
> > feeding does
> > tend to provide a little boost. after that it doesn't seem to
> > have nearly as
> > much effect.
> >
> > in general I think it is preferable to compost or mulch the
> > material and get
> > it into the soil cycle that way. reasons: soils need the full
> > complement of
> > goodies in the weeds and manure, less work, less risk of leaching those
> > nutrients, feeds the soil, not just the plants.
> >
> > it is a bit of work, particularly if you're going to do it on any scale
> > larger than a backyard garden. you're moving alot of water
> > around, which is
> > always a big job.
> >
> > situations that I find particularly well suited to tea application are
> > greenhouse fertilization and potted plants, where soil building
> > is a little
> > more difficult.
> >
> > I wouldn't say don't do it, just recognize that it's work, and when it's
> > appropriate. build the soil and over time your need for external
> > fertilization is not necessary.
> >
> > I hope this helps,
> > Christopher Peck
> > Santa Fe, New Mexico
> >
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