Nettles

[Yasai]

I've just been having a look at how to grow nettles. Who knew that you can actually buy seeds!? If I grow them, am I likely to end up with a garden full of the stuff, d'ya think or do you reckon it can be kept in check. I'd really like to grow some but I can't help feeling I'll live to regret it... Any thoughts?

[Nicos]

Not sure if all nettles are the same, but we have a field full of them next door and they are encroaching onto our garden.
The roots move sideways about 2" underground cresting a mat.
The root system is certainly invasive.

I would suggest that if you do, then keep the roots contained and don't let them go to seed.

As I said though, some types might not be so invasive and maybe those are the ones being sold in packets?
Might be a good idea to do some research first?

[Zelenina]

I wouldn't mind having a clump or two of nettles in my garden, but they are one of my most invasive weeds. They actually have separate male and female plants, so it is theoretically possible to grow only male plants and prevent them spreading by seeding themselves. But I don't think you'd be able to tell which are males and females until they had flowered once. The roots would still spread, but they are quite shallow and not the most difficult to remove.

[Scarlet]

I have nettle invasion from the field next door....and they also they seed in difficult places to weed, in the middle of my shrubs, between all my fruit bushes and raspberries etc. As Nicos has said they create a mat of roots that seem to double overnight. Trying to dig out roots and not harm everything else is a nightmare. Personally I'd leave them in the packet.

[fishpond]

I have normal stinging nettles which I constantly have to dig up and remove else they would take over my garden, I also have white nettles which are well behaved, do not sting, look nice and the bees like them.
I haven't got a clue when it comes to growing them from seed though, as these were here before me.
Do you have a name for these nettles from seed?

[Jay-ell]

Are these seeds for the common stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) or for something like a Painted Nettle (Coleus blumei)?

First thing is why do you want to grow nettles? The roots will run in every direction and seem to be able to duck under or climb over edging that you might try to use to control them. Their seeds scatter widely and have a more successful germination rate than most of my veg.

Is their no wild nettles you can harvest for compost, nettle tea or whatever purpose you have for them - there so successful there's bound to be some near you.

If you really do decide to grow your own thn rather than fork out money for seeds have a good look around your garden first as there's a chance it's already there, or you could pull a bit up from somewhere it's growing and transplant it (remember that if you're digging something up you need the landowners permission)

[poly]

I'd love my garden to be nettle free! I think if it is one you don't have then try and avoid introducing it. But butterflies do love it, so I guess that makes up a bit for having it here.

[Yasai]

Okay, thanks for the advice folks. Yes, it was the common stinging nettle that I was looking to grow; I saw that Nickys Nursery sell seeds for them. As for why, 1) I quite fancy eating them; 2) it's just one of many daft ideas that pervade my brain, presumably in a bid to provide it -further down the line- with more things to moan about . Anyway, you've all convinced me to put that idea to bed. You've saved me from myself. I thank you

[Jay-ell]

Well, spreading nettle seed round the garden would tell you where the best soil was - that'll be the places with the strongest healthiest nettles

[veggiechicken]

Yasai - what about dandelions? You can buy seeds for those too

[Jay-ell]

I think I have a packet from Italy. In London the site I had a plot on had a resident botanist (well he had a plot there as well) - he studied the dandelions and came to the conclusion that they were from half a dozen Victorian cultivated varieties.

[veggiechicken]

Do you have a name for these nettles from seed?

Stingies
The worst thing that could happen to you as a kid was falling in the stingies - its just as bad when you're older

[Yasai]

Yasai - what about dandelions? You can buy seeds for those too

Well, I was, vaguely, thinking about that too. An ambulance driver was telling my dad and I how he harvests dandelions root to make tea and was recommending we try it. I've had dandelion root tea before but I wouldn't mind making my own. I quite like the sound of that... will look into it. Thanks.

[Jay-ell]

Stingies
The worst thing that could happen to you as a kid was falling in the stingies - its just as bad when you're older

nettles are supposed to help stimulate blood circulation. The Romans are supposed to have thrashed themselves with them to keep warm in winter - I'll stick to thermal underwear and a woolie hat

[rary]

Yasai - what about dandelions? You can buy seeds for those too

Dried dandelion root make a very good coffee, and the best part is that you can use the grains twice, and yes I do make dandelion coffee