should be fine, but you need a lid to stop mosquito breeding or wildlife falling ie birds or what happened to my friends Jack Russell.

I have an old water butt that I throw all the flower heads into when I dead-head them. I have a fine mesh net suspended in the water that holds all this and shake it up now and again. Next growing season I use this 'liquid tea' to feed my pot plants.

You might find that it starts to smell alcoholic later on - quite heady!

Our water butt is uncovered and gets lots of detritus in it; I even string my clay pots on a cord and suspend them in the butt prior to washing. The water is fine to use on your plants.

Thanks to all who replied to my question re sycamore leaves, all very interesting! by the way, what did happen to the Jack Russell?

Yes I too am interested in the Jack Russell. Did it come to a horrible end?

sorry to say but yes .... very upsetting for everyone also it could of easily been a child , and they had the lid just never bothered to put it on

Oh dear how sad. I have horrid memories of a water butt next door to my uncles' farm and kittens! Thats how cruel people could be in the 1950's.

Not just the 1950's Cammomile. You should live in a 2014 Italian farming community.