Natural, organic, homemade sprays

Spray to boost plant health and protect crops

Nettle Spray

Stinging nettle spray is is a natural, fermented solution used to boost plant growth and protect your crops from pests. This homemade mixture can be used when watering or sprayed directly onto leaves to deter mites, aphids and certain diseases such as mildew.

Use nettle water and thin it 50:50 with rainwater to use in a hand sprayer.

Compost Tea

Compost tea is a liquid produced by extracting beneficial microorganisms (microbes)—bacteria, fungi, protozoa, nematodes, and microarthropods—from compost using a brewing process. A true compost tea contains all of the organisms that were present in the compost before brewing. Simply steep a shovel full of compost in 20l of water for a few days, then dilute 1;3 with water. Spray onto leaves.

Spray against insects (aphids, mites, whitefly): The following brews may be used:

1. Woodfern/bracken: 1kg of fresh leaves in 10 liters of water, spray on plants and soil

2. Tansy: 300grms of fresh leaves in 10 liters of water

3. Rhubarb: 1kg of fresh leaves in 10 liters of water, dilute 1:5

How to make a brew: Steep leaves in cold water for 24 hours, next day bring to the boil, then simmer for 20 min, strain, ready to use.

Spray against fungal diseases (mildew, blight):

1. Garlic tea: 70 grms of crushed or chopped garlic in 1 liter of water. Make a tea and let infuse for 15 min before straining, use undiluted.

2. Horsetail brew: 1.5 kg of fresh leaves in 10 liters of water, dilute 1:5.

3. Onion tea (against fungal diseases in strawberries, potatoes, currants and apple trees): 75grms of chopped onions in 10 liters of water, use undiluted.

4. A mixture of garlic and onion tea.