Growing Gardens

with Anita Morton

Liquid assets

We've had some warm weather already this spring, which has kicked the garden into high gear. Plants need lots of water and food at this time; two things which are easily combined in the form of homemade liquid fertiliser.

Weed tea is simple to make and high in nitrogen. To make it, get a plastic rubbish bin and fill it with weeds and prunings (no seed-heads!). Cover with water, put the lid on, and leave it to stew in the sun for two to three weeks. By the end of that time the bin will be full of smelly dark-brown liquid. Strain this off and dilute it by about one part to 10 of water - it should be the colour of weak black tea before you put it on the garden. The residue in the bin can go in the compost.

Worm wee is the liquid that drains off a worm farm. It is extremely rich in nutrients and an excellent tonic for all plants, especially pot plants. Again, dilute it until it is tea-coloured before you use it. If you are in the habit of adding large amounts of lime to your worm farm, it's a good idea to check the pH before you use the diluted wee. It could be alkaline and thus not suitable for some plants such as potted ferns.

The last of the free liquid fertilisers comes with a handy applicator if you are male. Human urine is an excellent source of nitrogen, and is well-known for its beneficial effect on citrus trees. Just be sure to water it in well to avoid any smells. Urine is usually sterile, so there are no health issues, but for aesthetic reasons most people prefer to restrict its application to the ornamental garden and fruit trees, rather than 'watering' the vegies!

Drought talk

Award-winning Boorowa farmer David Marsh will give a free seminar at Wollongbar Agricultural Institute next Tuesday, October 4. He will speak about how he has drought-proofed his property and how farmers can adapt to a changing climate.

The seminar begins at 10am, with morning tea included. Bookings are essential. Phone Lee Bridges, on 6626 1200.