13th May 2009

13th May 2009

13th May 2008

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13th May 09: Hidden in the cooler shady areas of the hedge Hawthorn flower buds await to bust out. Delightful pure white beads catch the eye.

Shooting up and ready to unfurl, a frond bud of Bracken (Pteridium aquilinum) starts to unfurl.

It can become a bit of a nuisance in the banks of the hedge. Growing quite rapidly it will soon overshadow all other plants. Bracken contains lots of Potassium or Potash and can make a Potash rich liquid feed by packing it into a container, covering it with water and steeping for a few weeks. Diluted it's ideal for feeding Tomatoes or flowering plants.

June is the best time for cutting the Bracken when the Potash value is at its highest and just before the spores start to be produced. There has been some association between Bracken spores and cancer.

I cut as much as I can from our side of the hedges and as there is so much I compost it on our heap.