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Establishing a Stinging Nettle Patch

gardener

Posts: 361

Location: Central New York State zone 5a

posted 13 years ago

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Hello folks, so I just harvested some nettles from the wild with a whole lotta seeds on them. I really want to establish a patch, but am unsure which direction to take: should I sow in the fall or should I sow in the spring? Or should I get nettle roots like that guy in this video?

Best,

Salamander

"To oppose something is to maintain it" -- Ursula LeGuin

christine lawson

Posts: 37

Location: West Quebec

posted 13 years ago

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I've had great success with roots. (Ever since seeing Skeeter's videos I now say "ruts"!)

Put them in a couple different locations to let them decide where they like best. Be aware they may move themselves around. And boy, can those roots ever sting. When they come up, nip 'em back once in the first year, too much will discourage them, just enough will help them get established.

It's so heartening to hear they are appreciated. I peaked into an organic gardening forum once and saw a thread AGAINST them. tsk.

Christine

Jordan Lowery

pollinator

Posts: 1528

Location: zone 7

posted 13 years ago

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toss the seed out in the fall, nettle will pop up when its best for nettle.

The ultimate goal of farming is not the growing of crops, but the cultivation and perfection of human beings. - Masanobu Fukuoka

Isaac Hill

gardener

Posts: 361

Location: Central New York State zone 5a

posted 13 years ago

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sounds like a haiku hubert!

sow seeds in the fall
nettle will pop up when it
is best for nettle

and maybe I'll try a one two punch, bury some rut and throw some seed!

"To oppose something is to maintain it" -- Ursula LeGuin

Jordan Lowery

pollinator

Posts: 1528

Location: zone 7

posted 13 years ago

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don't bury the seed, they just need topsoil contact.

The ultimate goal of farming is not the growing of crops, but the cultivation and perfection of human beings. - Masanobu Fukuoka

Haru Yasumi

Posts: 102

posted 13 years ago

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Depending where you live I wouldn't worry too much about getting nettles started. Whether transplanting roots, direct sowing, or starting in pots they seem to grow easily around here. I planted out a couple so-so looking plants I started in pots into the garden and they've spread readily.

This picture is of a nettle patch I started from 1 flimsy looking seed-grown plant last summer. Over winter the roots bulged viciously and turned into a multi-stemmed colony.

IMG_4412-(Large).jpg

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Síla Rose

Posts: 18

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posted 13 years ago

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I would like to grow a stinging nettle patch as well! I didn't plant any this spring, because my dad swore he had tons of them grown in the back field, however I think what he has is thistle...=S
I do have a packet of nettle seeds...should I plant them now, in the fall, or next spring? I live in about the middle/east part of Wisconsin.
Thanks!!
I totally appreciate nettles...they make a great infusion and I can't wait to try them cooked and with butter! =P

Brenda Groth

pollinator

Posts: 4437

Location: North Central Michigan

posted 13 years ago

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i would like to establish a nettle patch but don't have the seed..i have read that they do best where there is a lot of bird doo..which I have a lot of here !!

Brenda

Bloom where you are planted.
http://restfultrailsfoodforestgarden.blogspot.com/

Jordan Lowery

pollinator

Posts: 1528

Location: zone 7

posted 13 years ago

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brenda do you know of any local nettle patches?

The ultimate goal of farming is not the growing of crops, but the cultivation and perfection of human beings. - Masanobu Fukuoka

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