The Hour

Continuing with his thrifty gardening season our resident green-fingered expert Pete Jackson will be making his own brew that is guaranteed to give your plants a real boost. 

Here's the recipe; for want of a better word:

<em>Seaweed and nettle liquid tea</em>

Only pick seaweed from the beach that comes in washed up after high tide, pick it wet and wash well, also pick some nettles, these are both rich in potassium and nitrogen and will hit the root system almost straight away once applied

Either use a blender or a large bucket, chop seaweed and nettles and blend with water, about two handfuls of each into a blender is ideal and fill with water, blend until a thick puree. 

Add this then into a bottle, an old water bottle ideal, label it and keep lid on for about a week; this needs to break down and brew, the term is called to 'steep', the process of releasing all the goodness.

After a week you strain it and add a couple of cups into your watering can, ready for applying to plants, your containers, hanging baskets etc.

If you make the brew in a bucket, do exactly the same, stir it once a week and leave for about ten days; add in old tea bags, coffee grinds, all a good source of nutrients, and it’s better than throwing them in the bin.

After a week or ten days just pour straight into your water butt and stir it around; so that each time you fill your watering can it is full of goodness. And all this is free.

Happy brewing!