Nettle Stinging

Description

Stinging Nettle might not win any popularity contests at first glance with those tiny hairs that leave a prickly memory on bare skin that are hard to forget but it’s one of the most useful, nourishing, and resilient plants we have at our disposal. from its remarkable nutritional value to its many uses around the garden.

In the kitchen, Stinging Nettle has long been valued as a traditional leafy green that is used much like spinach in soups, stews, and even pesto’s. The leaves are rich in iron, magnesium, calcium, vitamin A, vitamin C, and a host of beneficial compounds that make them a deeply nourishing addition to the diet. If you’re feeling run down or looking to support your immune system naturally, nettle tea or nettle juice might be just the ticket.

Cooking neutralises the stinging hairs and unlocks the plant’s full flavour and nutritional value. A bowl of nettle soup is as comforting as it is good for you and nettle makes a surprisingly good addition to homemade beer and cordials, for those who like to experiment in the kitchen.

From a gardener’s point of view, Stinging Nettle is one of those quiet multitaskers that gives back to the garden in ways many other plants simply can’t. The leaves and stems can be soaked in water to create a potent nitrogen-rich liquid fertiliser which gives leafy crops a real boost, particularly during their growth stage.

Add nettles to your compost heap and they act as a natural compost activator, speeding up decomposition and helping to break down tough organic matter. They bring balance to the pile and get things cooking faster and it’s a fantastic way to recycle the clippings after harvest.

Because it grows so vigorously once established, nettle also makes a handy plant to grow near your compost heap or tucked into a “wild corner” of your garden. Its roots help improve soil structure, and it often acts as a refuge for beneficial insects like ladybirds and certain species of butterfly, who lay their eggs on the leaves.

Whether you’re adding it to your diet, using it to nourish your garden, or simply keeping it as part of a biodiverse backyard, nettle is a plant that truly rewards. It might not be the showiest thing in the patch, but it’s one of the most valuable and once you grow it, you’ll wonder how you ever did without it.

Find your Climate Zone