Sometimes feared as a weed or cherished for culinary recipes, the dandelion is also a highly useful plant in the garden, particularly in vegetable patches and orchards, when transformed into dandelion fertiliser tea. This dandelion infusion produces a natural fertiliser, usable in organic vegetable gardening or permaculture. Discover in our tutorial how to make dandelion fertiliser tea, its benefits and how to use it.
What are the benefits of dandelion fertiliser tea?
When fermented, dandelion fertiliser tea is renowned for being rich in various nutrients, particularly potassium (the famous "K" element from "NPK"), but also in silica and phosphorus, which are essential for plant growth. Potash stimulates the development of young plants, especially in vegetable gardens, promoting flowering and consequently fruiting. The plant also becomes more resistant to diseases and pest attacks. Dandelion fertiliser tea is particularly used in tomato cultivation, but also in orchards. It's very interesting to use it alongside nettle and horsetail fertiliser teas.
Dandelion fertiliser tea is also used as a foliar spray on certain plants to prevent fungal diseases, such as blight or powdery mildew.
Steps to make dandelion fertiliser tea
1- Start by harvesting entire dandelions, including leaves, flowers and roots. You'll need 1kg of dandelions to make 5 litres of fertiliser tea.
2- Briefly brush the roots to remove as much soil as possible.
3- If possible, we recommend chopping or crushing the dandelions to speed up the infusion process and nutrient release.
4- Place the dandelions in a large sealable container, such as a food-grade bucket or fertiliser tea maker (like "Biomix").
5- Then pour in 5 litres of rainwater and seal the container with its lid.
6- Let the dandelions infuse in this container for 10 to 20 days depending on outdoor temperature, stirring the contents every 2 to 3 days.
7- Your dandelion infusion is ready when the liquid turns a rich brown colour and no more bubbles or foam form on the surface.
8- Once your fertiliser tea is ready, strain it to keep only the liquid. You can then store it in bottles or jerry cans, in a place protected from light and heat. It will keep for 2 to 3 years unopened, then 2 to 3 months once opened.
How to use my dandelion fertiliser tea?
- In a 5-litre watering can, pour ½ litre (500ml) of nettle fertiliser tea and top up with 4.5 litres of rainwater (approximately a 10% dilution).
- Then water your young plants before and during flowering with this dilution to encourage flower production. Dandelion fertiliser tea is particularly effective on young tomato plants, but also on newly transplanted vegetable plants and ornamental flowers.
- You can also spray this dandelion fertiliser tea dilution (always 500ml of nettle fertiliser tea to 4.5 litres of rainwater) on the foliage of fruit bushes and vegetable plants to prevent fungal diseases.
- Don't hesitate to combine dandelion and nettle infusions, allowing you to benefit from the advantages of both preparations: promoting growth, strengthening plant defences, preventing diseases and repelling harmful insects.
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