Rather vulgar, I admit, but on the subject of manure, it is what it is...
The biggest boost to our trees has been the use of manure tea. This special brew, when added to trees, vegetables, and flowers, aids in toning the soil to allow for better absorption of nutrients to the plant's roots.
As disagreeable and disgusting as it may sound, it is one of the most productive forms of feeding our plants.
All you need is manure.....chicken, cow, goat, etc.
A porous bag. We found that produce bags work best and, of course, are the most inexpensive.
A 30 gallon trash can or some other large container with a lid.
Water
Twine
A handful of chicken poo. It's not necessary to wear gloves, but if you're my husband, or any other normal person, you may want to grab some and don the protection.
Add manure to the bag until it's fairly full.
You want to leave some space at the top to tie it off, and give it a secure closing.
Tie off the top of the bag with a long piece of twine, make sure you knot it well and it's very tight. Then lower the bag about 2/3 of the way into the bucket. Tie the other end of your twine to the handle of the trash can. Fill with rain water or tap, and put the lid on.
Let your "tea" brew under a closed lid for about two weeks.
You can leave the bag in the bucket. I never take mine out until we're ready to brew some more tea. I get a gallon jug, fill it with tea, and pour it around the base of each plant. For the individual plants, I usually just pour a bit around the base, being careful not to get any on the leaves. For the trees, I pour an entire gallon around the base and roots.
I do it about once a week and have had very productive results. Like I said in an earlier post, once we added poo tea to our fig tree, it exploded with figs!
10 comments:
Great title! But I know what adding composted manure can do - I'll have to try this too. Thanks for the tip.
Tabitha,
Your post will be featured Monday at the Homestead Barn Hop on Homestead Revival! Thanks for a great post! I'm very excited to give this a try.
Blessings,
Amy
Thank you so much, Amy! I'm very excited to be featured and to be able to share some useful tips. :)
Tabitha~ We recently did this as well. But I must confess...I think our tea was way too strong as the trees are looking a little green around the gills. ;o(
I have enjoyed looking at your blog and have taken the post you used for pollinating and turned it into a nature/life lesson for my boys.
Thanks so much!
Can't wait to read more!
XO
Kristin, that's great to hear! So glad my post could be put to good use!
Regarding your trees, you may just need to back off the tea for awhile, or try watering in a broader circle around the base of your trees. I pray they perk up soon!
Have a blessed week and thanks for your encouragement!
Ohhh I can't wait to try this!
Kristin,
I've not made manure tea, but if you put too fresh of manure by plants, the high nitrogen content can burn the plant- this sounds like what you experienced. Maybe try to use older manure when you make your tea- it might help.
you can also add some banana peel, eggshell and epsom salt for minerals for your plants
Thanks y'all...
I am sure that our manure was too fresh. Shhh, but my husband was so tickled that he was able to get great manure from a farmer that was pennies a load. We basically just had to offer him a little gas money for the bob cat that he used to load it on our trailer.
(They are a large Amish family)
I just pray the trees come back. We have just begun our sweet little orchard experience and I so want it to succeed!
Love your community, Tabitha!
Happy weekending!
Thanks, Leza, that's a great idea!
Kristin, that manure will become invaluable to you, lol!
Having an orchard is a great asset to your land and family. Many times, when our gardens fail, or we may have a less than average harvest, your trees will always produce. They're hardier, more productive, and many times, easier to maintain.
Have a blessed day!
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