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Post by Deleted on Apr 17, 2007 13:31:51 GMT
Afternoon ;D
I'm looking at getting some Comfrey and Nettles into a shady part of the garden that is not being used for anything at the moment but where would I get them from?
No nettles in my garden to start with and I would like some to plant up round the wildlife hotel (made from half pallets) Hopefully as sacrificial plants for caterpillars etc... I've asked the neighbours and they don't have any either (they think I'm a bit mad)
The comfrey I would like for making compost. I think I read somewhere that getting root cuttings is the best way for both plants but no-one I know has any. Can't find seeds online for them either.
Any help in sourcing some would be greatly appreciated
Cheers
Paul
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Post by oldmoleskins on Apr 17, 2007 14:46:01 GMT
You just need lengths of yellow nettle root or plantlets, Paul - probably the fringes of your nearest allotments can supply that. As for comfrey seed or plants, try these people: www.organiccatalog.comOM. |
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Post by Plocket on Apr 17, 2007 17:35:05 GMT
I'm stunned by your post Andy!!! Mum is always battling with comfrey and nettles. However if you are prepared to wait a few weeks and share your address (via PM) I'd be more than happy to dig some up for you and pop them in the post. I don't know when I'm next visiting though, hence the wait.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 17, 2007 17:47:39 GMT
Fantastic, thanks for that link.
I'll PM you Plockets ;D
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Post by jean on Apr 17, 2007 18:22:37 GMT
Hi Paul, I have already ordered 10 comfrey plants from the organic catalogue. www.organiccatalog.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=59_154&products_id=1116There are different varieties and I found I had ordered the wrong type last time (only one plant ), its very pretty though.  Wouldn't get much material for composting though  Nettles usually are a good sign of fertile soil and can spread very quickly - are you sure you want to introduce them into you garden? it might be easier to find a hedgerow to pick some from if that is still allowed. |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 18, 2007 10:06:13 GMT
Hi there I do want to bring some nettles in, perhaps sunk in a large plastic pot if they are very invasive. Mainly because I feel a tad guilty... My garden is one that was neglected before I moved in so by digging out a lot of dead stuff and plants well past their best to give me a blank canvas I have changed the ecology quite a bit. Especially the two very large sprawling laurels which I have now finally after 18 months got completley rid of and a veg patch in place ;D I want them to help bring in some wildlife, at the moment all I have is aphids so I am hoping that by turning a part of the garden that is in shade the majority of the time into a bit of a wildlife reserve I should start to see ladybirds, mason bees etc... and give the frogs that I keep almost standing on somewhere to hide. I'm also hoping that the butterflies will chose these to lay their eggs on instead of my veg  My wife got me a book of "Garden Heroes" for valentines day which was a very good read and I have started to take some actions from it. www.amazon.co.uk/Little-Garden-Heroes-Alternative-Technology/dp/1902175212 |
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Post by Chuckles on Apr 18, 2007 10:56:59 GMT
What a lovely idea to bring the wildlife back into your garden Paul. Nettles are invasive though, the roots throw runners out in the ground and come up everywhere, some sort of container or trough would be a good idea  Good luck, keep us posted with what you do |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 18, 2007 11:42:29 GMT
Would you use a plastic trough?
Reason I ask is that I planted mint in a plastic plant pot last year and this year it looked like it hadn't survived, i dug the pot up and it was split all the way round with absolute masses of HUGE roots. There was very little soil left in the pot, just root. From one small plant to a triphid in one year...
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Post by piggingardener on Apr 18, 2007 13:55:46 GMT
I grow mint in a plastic trough with no problems. When you say you grew yours in a pot, how big was the pot? My mint has a trough to itself, it's about 20" x 9". It is pretty rampant so needs a biggish container strong enough to hold it.
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Post by oldmoleskins on Jun 15, 2007 20:08:52 GMT
I'm adding this at the risk of a minor 'off topic' cos it's the closest to an 'alternative' thread I can find for it:
I've just been told that up til June (so hurry, hurry,) ground elder leaves are "a delicious spinach alternative"
Anyone ever heard that, or any other equally unlikely uses for stuff otherwise despised?
OM.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 16, 2007 8:37:25 GMT
There is an excellent book called "No Nettles Required" - The Reassuring Truth about Wildlife Gardening - by Ken Thompson.
It is about the fact that all gardens make a contribution and that there is a wide variety of wildlife - largely of the insect variety in all gardens. He makes suggestions - log piles, no insecticides, tolerance of a certain amount of plant munching, etc.
It is very interesting and amusingly written and I can highly recommend it.
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Post by Rosefriend on Jun 16, 2007 8:42:13 GMT
I'm adding this at the risk of a minor 'off topic' cos it's the closest to an 'alternative' thread I can find for it: I've just been told that up til June (so hurry, hurry,) ground elder leaves are "a delicious spinach alternative" Anyone ever heard that, or any other equally unlikely uses for stuff otherwise despised? OM. Well yes I do know about it - it is eaten here in Germany. You pick the young leaves and can either cook then - spinach style or make a salad out of them. I only tried once - mmmmh well there won't be a second time but ground elder is full of vitamin C and very good for you - or so they say. RF |
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