It is native on riverbanks and in hedgerows, grassy places, near buildings and where the ground is littered with rubble. Common nettle is favoured by conditions in woodland clearings and at the early stages of coppicing. It likes high nitrogen levels and can survive in moderate shade.
Where does nettle grow best?
To prepare for planting, look for an area with rich soil and sufficient moisture. Nettle does especially well on the edges of meadows, pastures, or streams where the soil stays moist but isn’t waterlogged.
Where do stinging nettles like to grow?
A very common plant, the stinging nettle can be found growing in gardens, hedgerows, fields, woodlands and many other habitats. Its preference for damp, fertile and disturbed ground makes it a good coloniser of places enriched by human activities, such as agriculture and development.
Where do nettles grow?
It occurs in moist sites along streams, meadow, and ditches, on mountain slopes, in woodland clearings, and in disturbed areas. Stinging nettle generally grows on deep, rich, moist soil and doesn’t do well in areas of drought.
How long does it take for nettle to grow?
between 80 and 90 days
Your nettles will be ready to harvest between 80 and 90 days from seed. The best time to harvest nettles is the first few weeks of spring when the leaves are young and tender.
Are nettles poisonous to dogs?
Stinging nettles aren’t known to be poisonous for dogs, and typically stings cause only mild discomfort for a few hours. However, there have been cases of dogs suffering from toxicity.
Do nettles spread?
Although nettles produce prodigious amounts of seed, their most reliable means of spread is by rhizomes. Rhizome fragments are readily spread by soil disturbances such as plowing, ditch cleaning and construction.
Are nettles good for the garden?
In the garden, nettle is indispensable as a fertilizer, insecticide, and compost activator. On the farm, nettle’s uses don’t just end there. The farm animals also benefit from all the goodness of nettle as well.
Are nettles invasive?
OTHER MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS : Stinging nettle is considered a weedy, invasive species. It is listed as a noxious weed in several Canadian provinces. Stinging nettle hairs are irritating to human skin, and the pollen is a major contributor to summer hay fever [1].
Is there a difference between nettle and stinging nettle?
Stinging nettle is the name given to common nettle, garden nettle, and hybrids of these plants. Originally from the colder regions of northern Europe and Asia, this herbaceous shrub grows all over the world today.
Are nettles poisonous?
Stinging nettle
If touched, these needle-like hairs inject the stinging acid into the skin, triggering a burning, tingling sensation and an itchy rash. Thankfully the symptoms usually do not persist longer than 24 hours. Interestingly, the cooked plant is safe to eat and is popular is some places as a vegetable.
Are nettles good for bees?
The dead nettle has bright orange pollen which give the foraging bees an orange stripe on thier heads. This weed is particularly useful to them as that pollen may be in short supply if there are few flowering trees in your area.
Do stinging nettles sting all year round?
It is Stinging Nettle, Urtica dioica. Is there a time of year when Nettles don’t sting? No, they sting year round.
What happens if you touch nettles?
Nettles are plants with sharp hairs on their leaves. If you touch them, these hairs inject irritants into the skin, making it itchy, red and swollen.
What kind of soil does nettle like?
nitrogen-rich soil
Nettles thrive on nitrogen-rich soil, so periodic feeding with compost or a nitrogen-heavy fertilizer will help plants that are growing in poor, barren soil. But in most typical garden soil, stinging nettle does quite well with no feeding at all.
When should nettles be cut back?
The best time to cut nettles for a liquid plant fertiliser is early spring, as this is when the nitrogen content is at its highest. To ensure that the butterfly larvae are not disturbed it is best to cut in March and again (if you want to) in October.
Are nettles Good For You?
Nettle leaf is a rich source of antioxidants, which are needed for reducing the number of free radicals in your system. Vitamin C, for instance, is a powerful aid to the immune system and may even provide protection against various types of cancer.
Do nettles sting cats?
Nettle stings can cause severe irritation to our pets and sometimes the pet will not put their weight through the affected feet to avoid the pain.
Is stinging nettle poisonous to touch?
Stinging nettle
These plants have sharp, thin hairs, which operate like hollow hypodermic needles and allow toxins into the skin upon contact. Avoid it because: Contact with the plant causes itching, numbness and swelling, leading to a painful rash.
Are nettles good for compost?
You can also cut nettles to lay, as they are, around larger plants or shrubby fruits, where they will serve as a valuable mulch. Their high nitrogen content also makes them a natural compost activator. In other words, by adding them to your compost heap you’ll speed up the decomposition process.
Can you eat nettles?
Taste: Once cooked, nettles taste like a mix between spinach and cucumber; fresh and wholesome. They make a great addition to dishes, adding a zing of flavour and a splash of colour. Nettle is great in sauces, risottos and soups. Health: The nettle plant is full of nutrients that are really good for your health.
Justin Shelton is a professional cook. He’s been in the industry for over 10 years, and he loves nothing more than creating delicious dishes for others to enjoy. Justin has worked in some of the best kitchens in the country, and he’s always looking for new challenges and ways to improve his craft. When he’s not cooking, Justin enjoys spending time with his wife and son. He loves exploring new restaurants and trying out different cuisines.