In our last article in this series of posts about biodynamic ferments and peppering, I explained how to make and use a problem weed ferment. But we can use weeds in ferments for much more than just keeping a challenging one in check.
Weeds are naturally full of nutrients, and when they decompose through fermentation or composting those nutrients become available. Using the problem weed ferment methodology, you can use the following weeds to make specific mineral-enriched teas:
| Blackberry | Chlorine |
| Bracken | Potassium |
| Broom | Magnesium, sulphur |
| Chicory | Iron, Calcium, Copper |
| Cleavers | Iodine, Calcium, Copper, Silica, Sodium |
| Comfrey | Iron, Chlorine, Potassium, Sodium |
| Dandelion | Calcium, Copper, Iron, Magnesium, Potassium, Silica |
| Dock | Iron |
| Duckweed | Copper, Boron, Zinc, Phosphorus |
| Fennel | Copper, Potassium, Sodium, Sulphur |
| Gorse | Phosphorus |
| Inkweed | Potassium |
| Nettles | Iron, Potassium, Sodium, Sulphur |
| Plantain | Calcium, Sulphur, Potassium |
| Oak | Calcium |
| Ragwort | Copper |
| Shepherd’s Purse | Calcium, Sodium, Sulphur |
| Sorrel | Calcium, Phosphorus |
| Spanish Needle (Bidens bipinnata) | Helps regulate soluble Potassium & Nitrogen |
| Thistles | Nitrogen, Copper, Silica |
| Yarrow | Sulphur, Potassium |
| Willow | Calcium |
The following table also provides the ‘ingredients’ for ferments that address specific mineral deficiencies in the soil:
| Soil Nutrients Needed | Materials Needed | Requirement for 200 litres | Maturing Period | Best Dilution Ratio |
| Calcium (Ca) Nitrogen (N) |
Cow dung Legumes, foliage |
65 kg 2/3 barrel |
3 months 2 months |
1:9 1:9 |
| Potassium (K) | Wood Ash Yarrow plant |
25 kg 2/3 barrel |
3 months 3 months |
1:9 1:9 |
| Phosphorous(P) | Rock Phosphate Digitalis |
10 kg 2/3 barrel |
3 months 3 months |
1:9 1:9 |
| Micro-nutrients | Fish meals Seaweed |
12.5 kg 1/2 barrel |
6 months 4 months |
1:30 1:20 |
| Iron (Fe) | Stinging Nettle | 2/3 barrel | 2 months | 1:9 |
| Insecticide | Neem Cake Datura Neem Leaf |
20 kg 20 kg 1/3 barrel |
3 months 3 months 3 months |
1:4 1:4 1:4 |
| Fungicide | Casurania
Beef wood Restios (Restionaceae) |
2/3 barrel | 4 months | 1:10 |