Tell us your thoughts in the comments below! In fact, it might just be my favorite herb yet! Gardener’s Path and Ask the Experts, LLC assume no liability for the use or misuse of the material presented above. As long as you use one of these methods, nettle leaves can be a part of practically any dish, used in a similar way to spinach or other leafy greens. Soil. Keep in a dark place, such as a pantry. Water the plants often to keep the soil around them moist. Keep the growing stinging nettle seeds moist. Just remember not to put a fresh nettle leaf on the side of the plate to garnish your dish, or you may end up with a prickly surprise. I just could not understand why anyone wanted this plant around. Learn which plants thrive in your Hardiness Zone with our new interactive map! It spreads by vigorous creeping rhizomes, and often forms dense clusters. Plant one to three seeds in peat pots filled with potting soil. Nettle leaf tea can have diuretic properties and is often used to relieve the symptoms of urinary tract infections. According to Maria Noel Groves, author of “Grow Your Own Herbal Remedies,” one cup of tea infused for 4-12 hours contains “approximately 500 milligrams of calcium in a highly bioavailable form,” meaning it is easy for the body to absorb and put to use. Fibers can be dried, pounded, and twisted into rope or cloth. Nettle, Urtica dioica, is an herbaceous perennial in the Urticaceae family that is often found growing wild in the understory of riparian zones, on the edges of meadows, in open forests, or in disturbed soils near pasture. Heather Buckner hails from amongst the glistening lakes of Minnesota, and now lives with her family on a beautiful homestead in the Vermont Mountains. I think I will domesticate it in the nearest future. Hippocrates recorded 61 medicinal uses of the plant in the fourth and fifth centuries BCE. Before freezing, you’ll want to blanch the leaves to remove the sting. Tip: Varieties with silver leaves often need more light to maintain their color. You can also sow stinging nettle seed directly into the prepared garden space. Managing Pests and Disease. Plus it is flavorful, resembling celery but much easier to grow. Nettles are very common, and nettle-feeding butterflies are quite selective about where they lay - you're unlikely to attract any with a few nettles in a pot. After removing stalks, leave them to decompose on the ground around plants. If you’re interested in growing other medicinal herbs, you’ll need these guides next: © Ask the Experts, LLC. Contact dermatitis from stinging nettle?, Garden, 11 replies Barnegat Bay infested with Jellyfish..(Stinging Sea Nettle's), New Jersey, 6 replies News Video, UK hosts nettle eating contest., Food and Drink, 3 replies Plastic Plant Pot or Clay Plant Pot?, Phoenix area, 6 replies In the US, there is a history of Native American use in food, medicine, clothing, and ceremonies. The sting of the fresh leaves is said to have healing properties, such as helping to reduce inflammation, improving circulation, and even combating allergies. Nettles Help Heating Up The Compost Pile By Supplying Nitrogen. Before puttingt them in the garden, harden them off for a week. Thank you for the information! If a spot is too dry, plants may struggle and will lack flavor, and may potentially lack some of their potency as an herbal remedy. Top leaves picked from the Stinging Nettle (Urtica dioica) early in the season are my absolute favorite cooked green. Once planted, stinging nettles need to be cultivated to keep the plants under control, as they may become invasive if not managed in the garden. Stinging Nettle Benefits – Butterflies & Edible We're offering 3 options: 1) Single Plant - which will give you a nice solid set of roots you can plant out or divide a bit to get started, 2) Nettle Patch - which will give you enough root material to establish at least 10 plants in year 1. Let’s learn more. Stinging nettles growing in spring over a 4 week period Filmed by Neil Bromhall for www.rightplants4me.co.uk Nettles are a garden weed. You can read more about harvesting and using stinging nettle roots here. Here is more about what we do. It has been used in Europe for centuries as food in early spring when other sources of food were scarce, as a nutritive spring tonic and to build the strength and milk production of pregnant and lactating women and livestock and as medicine for various conditions. We occasionally link to goods offered by vendors to help the reader find relevant products. Stinging Nettle (Urtica Dioica) - Stinging Nettle is found growing all across North America and especially in moist, forested soil. It is time to see if … Use this to your advantage by planting it in a thick perimeter around your grow. Spotted dead nettles are valued as perennial ground covers for the shade that will spread and fill in a patch of ground that might otherwise remain bare (except for weeds).In warm regions and/or in sheltered areas of your yard, they may be evergreen.Elsewhere (and depending on growing conditions), they are more likely to be semi-evergreen, herbaceous plants. Dig out rhizomes to keep in bounds. Upon contact, the tiny needles pierce the skin and release chemicals including acetylcholine, formic acid, histamine, and serotonin, which trigger inflammation and pain that can unfortunately last for up to several hours. Stinging nettle (Urtica genus) is a European native plant that has become naturalized throughout the United States. When I first started gardening, I absolutely hated stinging nettle. To harvest, cut back the top third of the plant, just above a node where leaves branch off, which will encourage new growth. In my various articles, I have talked about several fertilisers both inorganic and organic from growmore, fish, blood and bone, Seaweed extract, Q4 Fertiliser, Phostrogen and many more. Perhaps the most infamous identifying feature is the tiny stinging hairs, which can be found under the leaves and along the stems. COPYRIGHT © 2020 ASK THE EXPERTS LLC. A stinging nettle is mature at the end of the first season of growth. This will return nutrients to the soil, and the added mulch layer will help retain moisture in the spring. They can be used to make a fresh nettle soup, added to stews, used in baking, or simply sauteed in a little butter and garlic as a side dish. This valuable plant also has long been part of culinary and medicinal practices. Females can be identified by dense, heavy flower clusters that may look like they are pulling the plant down. Let it sit for about a month and then strain. The finished product can range from fine and soft to thick and rough. Selecting your site with future spread in mind is also advised. The needles are generally pointed downward, so work from the top of the plant downwards. Tips for Freezing Your Homegrown Crop, How and When to Fertilize Your Pumpkin Plants, Plant Folklore: Myths, Magic, and Superstition. Never mind worrying about pests and disease. If you are concerned about spreading, consider confining it to containers. Plant cuttings in a prepared bed in full sun. They grow to around knee height depending upon soil and location. They leaves and … Nettle plants are dioecious, which means they only produce either male or female flowers, not both. It's considered an aggressive invasive and has become established and common in certain areas. Seeds are very tiny and require light for germination. Nettles don’t need much maintenance after harvest season, as they are very hardy and spread easily. Growing flowers in an existing nettle bed is a simple way to create a butterfly border." Product photos via: Crossing Press and Storey Publishing Uncredited photos: Shutterstock. The main consideration is moisture. In the spring, broadcast seeds and press them lightly into the soil or cover with a very thin layer of soil, only about 1/4 inch at most. Often maligned due to its painful “stings,” stinging nettle is actually a flavorful, high-protein superfood with a long history of use as a culinary, medicinal, and fiber plant. Frequently, I would be out peacefully weeding my beds and daydreaming – until I was jolted back to earth by an unexpected sting, the effects of which could last for hours. The stinging nettle is one of more than 50 varieties of nettle plants worldwide. These are hearty perennials with a tendency to become invasive, so choose wisely. Once planted, stinging nettles need to be cultivated to keep the plants under control, as they may become invasive if not managed in the garden. In the 80’s, we used to go into the wild in search of stinging nettles. Some people purposely sting themselves to encourage the release of an anti-inflammatory response. Just bundle up six or seven stems, and hang them in a dry, dark place with good air circulation. Leaves, roots, and seeds have all been used medicinally, and each has different applications. Nettles can also be foraged easily, and they grow as a weedy perennial all over the place. It was concluded that nettle could be a great biological control for managing insect pests, and was recommended for use in vineyard habitat restoration and pest management, as well as for butterfly conservation. All parts of the nettle plant are edible and are used by some practitioners today in herbal remedies. There are quite a number of claims about the healing properties of some root and leaf extracts, but many of these are inconclusive and largely anecdotal. Or, why not find them in the woods? Fresh leaves can also be used in cheesemaking as a vegetarian substitute for rennet. To prepare for planting, look for an area with rich soil and sufficient moisture. This is because it attracts various beneficial insects, and several butterfly species. I was living at a property with a huge patch of it growing directly across the path from my veggie garden, and those nettles didn’t like to stay put! They spread from seed and from the roots so to control nettles you need to attack on both fronts. Documented accounts of its use date as far back as 1200 BC, and its uses are widespread. Stinging nettle Perhaps one of the most intriguing examples of strange garden bedfellows is the relationship between the weed stinging nettle and several vegetable varieties. You'd be better growing … But beware: once they go to seed, they'll send see everywhere and then you'll likely get volunteer nettles in the future. In some parts of the US, stinging nettle is considered an invasive weed due to its ability to self-seed and spread through its root mass. Cover the seeds with 1/4 inch of soil, and be sure to keep the soil wet. Each year over the course of three years, they found 200 to 400 beneficial insects trapped in nettle plants at all three sites. Over the winter the foliage will die back and the plants will go dormant, reemerging in spring. She goes on to say that it is also high in magnesium, potassium, silica, and chlorophyll. GARDENER'S PATH® IS A REGISTERED TRADEMARK OF ASK THE EXPERTS LLC. The leaves can be preserved and consumed in a number of ways. Transplant the started plants in the prepared garden bed, spacing the plants a minimum of 12 inches apart and 1 to 3 inches deep. Place the mixture in a tightly lidded jar in a dark location, and shake it daily. You know your way around the Nettle plant. Stinging Nettle, or Nettle, has been well regarded throughout the ages for both its culinary and medicinal uses. This method has been used to reduce joint pain, such as what is experienced by those with arthritis. Grow the quick-growing ground cover in moist but well-drained soil in partial or full shade. It can grow from two to four feet tall at maturity. That’s the fastest way to use a pile of stinging nettle plants. Stinging nettle is a very useful plant with lots of health benefits, but it can become invasive and is very painful to eradicate from the garden once it takes hold, so growing it in containers is a good solution. (NOTE: If you are not interested in growing Stinging Nettles, but just finding the plant and using it, try going to the Nature's Restaurant Online site Stinging Nettle page.). I just needed to know why my landlord insisted so strongly on maintaining that pesky nettle patch. Sow seeds in flats in late winter. This unique plant helps to draw in beneficial insects that will help to protect your plants against hungry, marauding invaders. Keep the soil moist throughout the spring until you are done harvesting, after which time the plants will usually take care of themselves. Nitrogen is an important plant nutrient for growth. Here is an interesting nettle fact for gardeners: they are an indicator of Nitrogen in the soil. It is not impossible to grow them in pots, but if you do, you’ll need to transplant into larger pots right away. Another benefit of growing stinging nettle is that it actually can reduce the risk of pest infestation for surrounding crops. You can also hang leaves to dry in small bunches. Once you’ve harvested the greens, you can use them as you would any leafy green. Stinging nettle seeds need to be kept moist to germinate, which takes 10-14 days on average. You’ll need about one cup of liquid nettle rennet per gallon of milk. Plan the perfect garden with our interactive tool →, Kansas State University: Stinging Nettle (PDF). This may also help to reduce spreading if you are concerned about the patch getting away from you. A cold tolerant perennial herb, native to North America and Eurasia, is so named for the burning sensation one gets from brushing up against its coarsely toothed oval leaves, armed with stinging hairs. To blanch, place in boiling water for a minute or two, and then quickly douse in ice water. A very hearty plant, this herb will do well in a variety of climates and conditions. As young plants, the leaves are eaten in salads, boiled as a vegetable or steeped to make a medicinal tea. In a study by David James, associate professor of entomology at Washington State University, from 2011 to 2013 researchers monitored beneficial insect populations in U. dioica patches at three locations in the Yakima Valley. Thank you for this info. What’s more, is you can make stinging nettle manure by steeping just 28 grams of nettles in 240 ml of boiling water and leaving it to steep for 20 minutes. Never mind worrying about pests and disease. We have a large nettle patch near our horse yard. Germination should occur by about 14 days. Use it mask your smaller stealth plants from the neighbors, and to season your favorite soups.Stinging Nettle: No one likes the prickly itch that comes from a brush with stinging nettle. Just be sure to wear gloves, long sleeves and pants, and closed-toe shoes. Don’t plant near smaller plants or they may be overtaken. Click here to get yours! I’ve even made nettle pesto – but I made sure to blanch the leaves before throwing them in! The staff at Gardener’s Path are not medical professionals and this article should not be construed as medical advice intended to assess, diagnose, prescribe, or promise cure. Though seen by many as an irritating weed, nettles have been appreciated by foragers for a long time, and they are so much more than just a menace to be wary of. Check there are no caterpillars on the stems you remove. When we take the time to appreciate their value and learn to handle them with care, nettles are really an incredible herb with so much to offer us. Peat pots work great for nettles. I highly recommend Groves’s book, which is available from Amazon, if you want to learn more about how to use common plants as herbal remedies. Lightly cover them with ¼ inch (1.25 cm.) You can leave the nettle soup for up to an hour and dilute at a ratio of 1:10. Space seedlings about 8 inches apart. Copyright Leaf Group Ltd. // Leaf Group Lifestyle. Nettles can be grown in containers. Once your nettle seedlings are several inches tall and look strong and healthy, cut the bottoms off the compostable pots, transplanting the seedlings pot and all into an area where the nettles won't be a nuisance. Grow dead nettles by providing a great deal of moisture with … Nettle is an herbaceous, quick-growing plant whose leaves and stems are covered with tiny, hollow, silica-tipped hairs which can cause irritation. Once established, it will come back in the spring. Stinging nettles can also be grown from root cuttings. I didn’t grow up eating much okra myself, but I have grown to love it as an adult, especially in Indian subzi recipes. – you might realize that you already have some growing nearby that you can dig up and transplant to your garden. Common stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) is a perennial plant found in temperate regions throughout the world. Harvesting nettles can sound intimidating, but with a few precautions in mind, you won’t get any trouble from the pesky needles. The flavor is sweet and salty, with a pleasant, earthy taste. Stinging nettle is a multifaceted companion plant and has a very special place within a cannabis garden. Nettle is easy to grow and can easily be started by seed indoors, or divided from existing patches. If you’re using fresh leaves, it’s best to chop them and use about eight ounces of leaves to 16 ounces of liquid. Nettle was once widely … It has toothed opposite leaves along the stems, which are almost heart shaped, and very small flowers. Plant 1-3 seeds in a pot that is filled with a good quality potting soil. Though it stings the hands, it does not sting the gut. The more I researched, the more I began to change my tune on nettle. It is best if you plant them outdoors because they like to have room to grow. Some of these links may be affiliate in nature, meaning we earn small commissions if items are purchased. Dead nettles are hardy perennials in USDA growing zones 4 to 10. This versatile edible and medicinal herb is not often cultivated, but foraging it from the wild is certainly not your only option. Now I feel confident I can care for mine! The drying time can vary depending on your location and the relative humidity, and it could take anywhere from one to a few weeks. You can also try blending the infused vinegar with honey to make an oxymel, which is perhaps even tastier! You may have had the misfortune of experiencing the unpleasant sensation of accidentally brushing up against a plant, or pulling one up without gloves. They prefer a a slightly acid, rich soil but will grow on any soil type – wet or dry, rich or poor. If you have experienced the pain of a Stinging Nettle plant, wisdom would tell you to avoid it. You can store the fresh leaves in the refrigerator for two to five days, just make sure they are kept in a closed container to prevent them from inadvertently stinging anyone! I am now a complete convert. Stinging nettles need nutrient-rich soil and should be cut back in June or July, to stimulate new shoots to grow, providing more food for caterpillars. Yum, that soup sounds delicious, Onwuka, and I would love to try it! I remember my mum using it to treat wounds on people. No care is needed to keep the plant alive during the winter months. A sure sign of spring is the new nettle shoots that are growing on the perennial nettle Urtica dioica (below left) Urtica urens (left) is the other common variety which is annual stinging nettle or dwarf nettle which I have been eating all winter. Water, as necessary, to keep the soil moist. This herb should not be used during pregnancy, or by those who take prescription medication. Dried leaves can also be ground into a powder for use in cooking, to make tea, or as a nutritional supplement. Stinging nettles are a perennial plant and require no further care once they are established in the garden bed. If you are unsure if the seed has been stratified, place the seed in the refrigerator or freezer for 30 days before planting. It reproduces from wind-blown seeds and the root rhizomes that will continue to spread in the garden bed. A double-blind, randomized clinical trial was conducted in 2016, where 50 women with type 2 diabetes were divided into two groups and one group was given an extract of U. dioica. Throw them in soups, pasta, stir fries, stews, or omelets. But for this you’ll need a big harvest – two pounds or more of fresh leaves, simmered in four cups of water with a tablespoon of non-iodized salt for 30 minutes. Dry in a dehydrator on the lowest temperature setting, about 95°F for 12 to 18 hours. I learned, for instance, that it is one of the most nutrient-rich native herbs known. You can find more tips on freezing herbs here. With additional writing and editing by Clare Groom and Allison Sidhu. In this article, we will be discussing whether comfrey or nettle tea or both are better in the garden. Drinking it reminds me of sitting in a peaceful forest. The action of disturbing the hairs breaks off the fragile silica tips, and the hair acts like a needle, injecting you with chemicals. They will spread quickly, once they become established. Will it become one of yours? Nettles prefers rich soil with good moisture content and especially favors the edges of streams or nutrient-dense pastures. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Although this particular recipe calls for store-bought nettle tea bags, I substitute those with a handful of fresh leaves from my own garden, or a smaller quantity of home-dried leaves. Always consult with a medical professional or trained herbalist before starting any herbal treatment. Harvest the leaves of the plants at anytime during the growing season. Choose a spot that has rich, moist soil a little ways from any other herbs. Another benefit of growing stinging nettle is that it actually can reduce the risk of pest infestation for surrounding crops. In Germany it was used during the first half of the 20th century, often combined with cotton to make undergarments, stockings, and fabrics. Choose a sunny, warm location that is well drained and fertile. Transplant outdoors in early spring, as soon as the ground can be worked. Can grow to a height of approximately 4'. Garden centers generally don't sell stinging nettle plants, so if you want seedlings, you will have to start the plants from seeds first. You may quickly be convinced, as I was, that this plant is well worth the hassle of cultivation – and perhaps the very occasional sting. Stinging nettle is easy to grow from seeds, but it can be invasive so it's best to plant it in containers. Nettle does especially well on the edges of meadows, pastures, or streams where the soil stays moist but isn’t waterlogged. For food and making herbal remedies, harvest the foliage when the stems looks juicy, before flowering. Here’s how – and why – you should grow it at home. It is garnished with okra and red pepper and little palm oil to make a delicious soup called “ofo akuba” -nettle soup in Abiriba, Nigeria. She holds a bachelor of science degree in environmental science from Tufts University, and has traveled and worked in many roles in conservation and environmental advocacy, including creating and managing programs based around resource conservation, organic gardening, food security, and building leadership skills. Roots of the plant are best harvested during the fall after the growing season. Plant in full sun or partial shade. Heather is a certified permaculture designer and student herbalist. One of my favorite recipes is this iced fennel and nettle tea from our sister site, Foodal. Start stinging nettle seeds indoors four- to six weeks before the last frost date for your area. The stinging nettle is one of more than 50 varieties of nettle plants worldwide. 3) Nettle Massive Patch - enough root material to plant out or pot … Insects found included predatory bugs, predaceous flies, parasitic wasps, and native bees. The dead nettle, or lamium, is a plant that can handle cold and warm temperatures almost equally. Plant or sow in early spring and summer. You can also cut off the flowering seed heads when they form, which will encourage a better crop next year, as less energy will be diverted to seed production. Alternatively, if you do find a patch growing wild, you can gather the tiny seeds in early fall, once they have turned brown. The Grow Network now offers organic bulk herbs—including stinging nettle—in our store. There’s one way to find out! To store, remove leaves from the stems and secure in tightly lidded glass jars. It doesn’t mind cooler weather. Water, as necessary, to keep the soil moist. All Rights Reserved. Once plants flower and start to look woody and fibrous, leaves become stringy and tough. See our TOS for more details. Pick a place where you are certain that you want them, perhaps not directly next to your veggie patch! Stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) likes full sun or partial shade in any well-drained soil. Males and females grow adjacent to each other, and the flowers are usually wind pollinated. I would imagine that if your growing medium had some chunks of decomposed wood chips or bark in it, the nettles would thrive in root pouches. I use around four ounces of dried leaves to 16 ounces of vodka or vinegar. Their flavor has been described by TV Chef Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall as “irrefutably green,” somewhere between spinach, cabbage, and broccoli, with a unique hint of nettliness: a sort of slight, earthy tingle in your mouth.”. After disposing of the leaves, the liquid can be stored in the refrigerator and used in place of animal rennet. Infused tinctures can be stored in a cool, dark place for three to five years. Just shake out a seed head into a jar or bag. U. dioica has been used to address a range of ailments over the centuries. Fill peat pots or other growing containers with potting soil and plant one to three seeds per container. If you can learn to properly identify them – which isn’t difficult if you touch them, but relying on visual cues is preferred! Plant in a location where you can manage it, as this plant has a habit of taking over. Nettles will grow in full sun or part shade. Be conscious about what you are doing. It has been grown, foraged, and harvested for thousands of years. You may choose to cut off the top third to keep plants from becoming too tall and toppling over. Today, it is still commonly used as a textile similar to hemp or flax. Seeds should germinate in approximately 14 days. Stinging nettle is mentioned in the Nine herbs charm. of soil. Nettles have a fine, web-like root system. One of the most interesting ways of enjoying nettle that I’ve ever tried is in cheese- it’s popular in the Netherlands, and the herb adds just a touch of flavor that combines nicely with creamy dairy. Stinging nettles are a common weed, tough weed to control. Cooking, drying, crushing, or blending will remove the stings, making leaves safe to handle and eat. What is your favorite way to use stinging nettle? The nettle leaves are extremely high in nutrients and make a delicious tea. Frozen nettles are a great addition to any food that would be good with added greens. If you want, you can incorporate some leaf mulch around the plants to help retain moisture during dry spells. Squeeze to drain as much moisture as possible, chop, and place in freezer bags or containers. Stinging nettles will benefit from organic compost added as a soil addendum or applied as a mulch around the plants. Plant in a location where you can manage it, as this plant has a habit of taking over. To make a tincture, you can infuse dried or fresh leaves in alcohol or vinegar for use as an herbal remedy. For reasons that are unclear, plants grown in the presence of stinging nettle display exceptional vigor and resist spoiling. Males have a stringier, compact cluster of flowers that tend to point outward. Start stinging nettle seeds indoors four- to six weeks before the last frost date for your area. I have never tasted a cooked green – either wild or domestic – that I like better.

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