How to raise a "stink"

Category: gardening | Posted: Thu Nov 29, 2007 5:53 pm

Have two large comfrey plants that outdid themselves this year in wild growth, and being a very firm believer in the virtues of what comfrey offers the gardner, decided to make up a green manure tea using chopped up leaves. Added some dandelion greens for extra WHOOMPH, a couple handfuls of epsom salts, topped everything off with dried steer manure, filled the bucket with water, covered it and let the brewing process begin in a nice sunny spot next to a metal workshop. Once a day the concoction was stirred with a long stick, couldn't wait for the six-week period of "cooking" to be over with and I could begin using the mixture on plants.
First few weeks weren't too bad. By week 4 weather had turned hot and there wasn't a stick LONG enough to stand back and stir everything with as it'd turned just a bit "odoriferous" to say the least! You don't pray for wind in this country..we get enough naturally..but there were days I did, or had to sneak up on the bucket, look around to make sure noone was out in their yards, pop the top, stir, recover and run like the devil as the "green cloud" drifted off in all directions! Was really waiting for a visit from Haz-Mat at any time to check out WHERE the stench was coming from!
My Dad, years before, had made me a long handled dipper for use with manure teas when I once made another batch similiar to this one..luckily I'd kept it! Would scoop out a ladel-full QUICK, dump it in a watering can, get it diluted as fast as possible and watch the plants shirk like "here she comes AGAIN with that stuff!".
When nothing DIED but started really thriving from the use, began foliar feeding with it as well. Might be my imagination, but I noticed a drastic decline in bug and plant problems in general, had the best productivity I've had yet in this locale! Was worried it might smell so GOOD my Saint Bernard would want to roll in raised beds where it was applied, but I'd open the bucket and he'd take off in another direction..like the bugs and even the cats!
Will raise another "stink" next year after seeing results this one, had thought about maybe trying to make some homemade fish emulsion as well but don't think I'll push my luck that far in regards to "delightful aromas", would definately have Haz Mat here!

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Frank wrote on Thu Nov 29, 2007 6:38 pm:

Not joking but I really want to experience that smell *very curious*, just to be able to relate. But maybe I should be careful what I wish for.

It's like they say, "if it tastes bad then it must be good for you". Looks like it works with odours also :)

Anitra wrote on Thu Nov 29, 2007 6:49 pm:

Congratulations! I think I'll hold off on trying such a full-scale brewing myself, but it is encouraging to know that a foul smell doesn't always mean something's gone dreadfully wrong. :)

Palm Tree wrote on Thu Nov 29, 2007 6:53 pm:

My goodness you are a brave one.
But that is quite interesting (very organic in your methods) also - the decline in bug and plant problems in general.

Droopy wrote on Thu Nov 29, 2007 7:28 pm:

Whew, you're a brave spirit. I'm glad everything growing loved your effort. It's worth it when the reward is big!

eileen wrote on Thu Nov 29, 2007 8:43 pm:

Another thing that creates quite a stink is decomposing rhubarb leaves. The solution works miracles though in the garden if you have a strong enough nose and stomach)!!!

Netty wrote on Fri Nov 30, 2007 12:06 am:

Sounds like something I'd like to try next year weeds n seeds... I have a Comfrey plant that tripled in size this year. I heard that Comfrey was a natural compost accelerator so I tossed a few leaves in there every once in a while.
I won't be worried about making a "stink" as I have no neighbors!