4m x 3m Omlet pen, cube, new auto door still boxed and coop light

[Guest]

Hi

 

I have an area that is really fertile but have a stinging nettle issue! What is the best way to dig them up/pull them or the dreaded weedkiller ie grazon etc

 

I want to make a raised bed and can line the base with something but just to grow a few bits and bobs. Any suggestions to control them please?

 

Thanks indie

[Patricia W]

Nettles are quite shallow rooting so I find the best thing is to put some gloves on and pull them up. Then dig over and just keep an eye on it - pulling up any strays, but they'll soon give up.

 

I always leave one nettle patch in the garden for the butterflies - chooks don't eat them I have discovered, but they've cleared my garden of bindweed!

 

Hope that helps

 

Tricia

[Guest]

HI Tricia

 

Thanks very much, I have so many but agree pulling them I will have to do(they probably come back each year as I tend to do it just once and not repeat it.

 

I will leave some as the lady birds like them, someone else told me chickens didnt like nettles but I have the awful bindweed which is good if they will eat that(would rather have nettles any day compared to bindweed).

 

I better get digging then! I only need to clear a patch as just have so much manure it seems a waste not to be growing something in it!

 

Thanks indie

[Patricia W]

The other way I've got rid of them is to smother them. It's more long term but works although you have to start in the summer.

 

I just dump all my lawn mowings on them until they stop coming through - then I dig the whole lot over.

 

Nettle soup is good I believe?

 

Tricia

[Guest]

thanks Patricia

 

I think I will dig them now and then put a mesh over the ground, its in an ideal spot to grow a few veg and hopefully not any more nettles(yes I think there is such a thing as nettle tea too..not tried it)

 

thank you for your advice indie

[Old Speckled Hen]

This is good too

 

 

Nettle beer

 

This simple and refreshing brew has the great advantage of being ready to drink within a week of being made!

 

Ingredients:

 

12 litres/ 2 ½ gallons water

1 carrier-bagful of young nettle tops

juice of 1 lemon and 1 orange

1.5kg / 3lb sugar

55g / 2oz cream of tartar

yeast

 

Bring the water to the boil, and pour over the nettles. Mix well, then leave to infuse for at least an hour, until cooled down to blood temperature.

Strain into a pan. Add the lemon and orange juice, the sugar and the cream of tartar. Heat gently, stirring, until the sugar has dissolved.

Leave the mixture until it is tepid and stir in the yeast (started in a little warm water and sugar). Cover and leave for 2-3 days.

Remove any scum which has risen to the top in fermentation. Decant, or rack as for wine, to get the liquid off the sediment. Put into beer bottles, and leave for just 2 more days (but up to a month, if you have the patience).

Drink cold with a sprig of mint.

[majorbloodnock]

Don't forget nettle soup

[welovemarmite]

you can actually make poultry feed out of nettles too. Can't quite remember how but will look it up and let you know.

 

Also soak a bag of them in your water butt and you will have nettle fertiliswer coming out your water butt.

 

Nettle tea is fantastic too.

 

We have a very large nettle patch the other side of our garden fence...... I have grown to love it . So much so that i bought a book on 101 things to do with nettles....

 

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Uses-Stinging-Nettles-Piers-Warren/dp/095418999X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1259448034&sr=8-1

 

 

but to get rid of them i would go for the carpet over the bed for winter method....

[Guest]

I made nettle soup earlier this year and it is very nice indeed, here's a pic and recipe

 

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=2492197&l=735cec674f&id=568396756

 

You can use them in place of spinach.

 

steep some in cider vinegar to use as a hair rinse, see this site http://www.chagrinvalleysoapandcraft.com/shampving.htm#Useful%20Herbs

 

wish I had a few in my garden!