Recipe #56 Stinging Nettle spray                
Categories: Garden, Disease, How to make                    
 
  Stinging Nettle Spray. We have talked in the past         
  about it being planted with some plants to enhance        
  oils such as herbs. Here is another thing Rodales         
  recommends: It helps plants resist infections by many     
  fungal diseases. On a plant that has a mild case of       
  Botrytis rot or powdery mildew, pick off infected         
  areas then spray with this solution to help to resist     
  further infections. During long, cool, wet periods you     
  can also use it to strengthen plants. Made into a tea     
  (Stinging Nettle Tea) it repels aphids and give plants    
  a good dose of trace elements. Gather 1 lb. of leaves      
  of stinging nettle (Urtica dioica). Crush, put into a     
  burlap bag or old pillowcase. Submerge into 1 gallon      
  unchlorinated water. Cover bucket, place in warm area,    
  let it sit for 1 wk. When you open bucket, smell will     
  be strong. Strain through cheesecloth. Store any extra    
  in glass containers but don't keep longer than 1          
  month. Mark jar by date you store or expiration date.     
  How you use it: You dilute the concentrate by adding 5    
  parts unchlorinated water to 1 part of the                
  concentrate. Depending on the seriousness of disease,     
  spray every 2 wks to once a month. Of course remember     
  the note above at certain times it can be used to         
  strengthen plants as well... Info from Rodales.           
                                                            
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