Nettle time again is fast approaching!!!

[Nicos]

Corblimey ...I did some weeding yesterday and have certainly noticed the nettles have started to grow!

Being very positive, it's got me thinking about saving chicken stock in preparation for making nettle soup!

Here's last years thread for those who fancy a go- it really is yummy!!!

http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...lks_31252.html


Go on- have a go...won't be long!

[vicky]

We have a lot of nettles here to use!! Thanks for the reminder!

[mrdinkle]

wooooo, reminds me to have a go at stinger beer again. Fancy nettle soup too. Thanks!

[Seamus]

gonna give the nettle soup a try this year, i cant wait !

[Two_Sheds]

I've been digging loads of them out of my plot, including one with roots as thick as a baby's arm yesterday (glyphosate does not kill the roots, people).

I'm leaving a small patch for the butterflies

[organic]

I saw my first nettle down on the plot today. Unfortunately it's growing right on one of the paths between two of my beds so it won't last much longer. I might relocate it to a more convenient place - hopefully to lure in a few ladybirds - but only if I can decide where - otherwise it will be into a bucket of water to stew... that is, if I don't get a few more and eat them.

[northepaul]

I have been drinking nettle tea for years...must try soup, though I have to convince my family (particularly OH) that he wont die from being stung to death by eating it....!

I know...I know....

[organic]

Why not just boil a bunch of nettles enough to kill the stingers but not enough to lose the shape - dry if off and then "sting" him with it?
"See? No stings!"

I'd have thought "here, hold this for me" would be a better approach than just whalloping him with what, as far as he can tell, is a bunch of nettles and iminent pain, blisters and itching.

[Jeanied]

Organic are you feeling OK today? Touch of sadism in your post I feel.
Seriously - I find a few nettle stings, although unpleasant at the time, do seem to ease my arthritic finger joints.

[northepaul]

The other problem...(I dont honestly think I would even get him to go near the woods, let alone the nettles ) is that they're green....
Had enough trouble getting him to eat wild garlic leaves!!

[Jeanied]

You could always tell him it is wild spinach.

[organic]

Jeanied - not at all... that's why I suggested boiling them first... I'm not advocating getting a bunch of nettles right out of the ground and thrashing him with them until he agrees to try some to make the stinging stop!
It's just a really simple way of proving that there's no stinging involved.

[northepaul]

[QUOTE=organic;648773]Jeanied - not at all... that's why I suggested boiling them first... I'm not advocating getting a bunch of nettles right out of the ground and thrashing him with them until he agrees to try some to make the stinging stop!
QUOTE]

Hmmm....well could be useful for other times though! I am all for persuasive means sometimes!!

[kirsty b]

Definitely having a crack at stinger beer this year - almost got enough stingers down plot for me to pick and do an experimental batch.

[wellie]

I'm having to fight the farm animals for custody of the nettles here, because they'll seriously eat ANYTHING, and because I get the Manure End Product, I can't argue, but Nettles as a harvestable product, now I DO like that rather a lot.
Nettle Soup is divine (looks brilliant & tastes as good as it looks), and whilst Trousers and I have only been together for about 10 years, he's shy? Well. Times is Tough Angel, and you're about to get educated!
And actually, one of the best liquid sprays for your tomatoes, if you make an infusion of nettle leaves?
Nettles.... Not Wrong, Clearly....