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How to raise a "stink"

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

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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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Welcome to Weeds N Seeds

Category: gardening | Posted: Wed Nov 28, 2007 4:04 pm

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Pansies are stirring into action and beginning to "show" their little green heads. Only a few are up so far, but it's a start even if you do practically need a magnifying glass to see them! Had the starter tray on my potting bench extension, when temperature dropped to 50 degrees nights in the unheated sunroom, moved the tray onto a propagation mat for bottom heat, seems to have done the trick. Once they've all germinated, will remove them from heat and keep my fingers crossed!
January will see the planting of blue mealy sage (a plant similiar to Russian sage) and gerberas. First time I'm attempting gerberas..anyone have any suggestions on raising them? Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Is dark, cold and overcast here today, so it's nice to see African violets in bloom and two orchids getting ready to share their beauty with the world as well. Zonal geraniums, in sunroom, are also beginning to bloom despite drastic cutting back in September, are really great "spirit lifters" when the snow flies and those winter doldrums set in. Mother Nature is good to the gardener... .

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