What happened here

The first ferment, in August 2026, floated, grew a mat of mold and was dumped. The second was weighted under the water and went the way it should: no mold, and a smell that lives up to its reputation. One of two is why this is marked “partly worked.” The next batch should move it up.

Doing it right

• Contain it before you encourage it. Nettles spread by roots, so sink a barrier 8–12 inches deep, or mow around it weekly.
• Cut the top 4–6 inches of young growth, never more than a third of the plant. It is back in three to four weeks.
• About two pounds of chopped nettle to two and a half gallons of water, weighted under, loosely covered, stirred now and then, until it stops bubbling.
• Dilute 1:10 for the soil and 1:20 for leaves. Stop feeding it to anything grown for fruit once it flowers.