Nettles - How can I put them to good use?

[CADS]

Hello

I think I read somewhere that nettles can be cut down and put to good use. But what do I do with them, do I add to compost heap? Or make a nettles tea, what would I use the tea for and how do you make it?

The plot neighbouring mine is not in use and has lots of nettles. I managed to sting my bottom today while weeding my path which made me wonder whether I could use them to my advantage (i.e. not just stinging my bottom! ;0).

So, I should go around collecting the nettles from the neighbouring plot or should to just ignore them. And once collected what do I do with them?

So much to learn!
CADS

[Jeanied]

Good question Cads. I went to my allotment plot this week and was shocked to find that the neighbouring plot (which is designated to be a bit of a wild area) had been strimmed over. So all the nettles and wild comfrey had been chopped to the ground. If you read Sheikh Yerboutti's posts you will find that many moths and butterflies rely on nettles for their survival.
That doesn't mean you have to put up with being stung, so I would advise a bit of judicious chopping - and put them immediately in the compost! Nettles are a good compost activator I find so chuck them in there.
If you want to make a nettle tea, just steep the nettles in a bucket of water till the brew smells absolutely foul. Then dilute the mix to about 10 parts water to 1 of tea and water on to your plants as a tonic.

[Alison]

You can also make very nice pesto and soup with fresh nettle tops - just make sure you wear decent gloves and sleeves when harvesting

[Shadylane]

Sheikh also mentioned that it's best to harvest nettles from shady areas as butterflies need warmth for their eggs.

I have a bin with a lid that has water in it and I chuck any dodgy weeds in it until they drown/rot. You could do the same with nettles and/or comfrey leaves or just put everythinbg in but I would definitely use a lid cause your neighbours might not appreciate the smell.

Anyway how did you mnage to sting your bum? Were you gardening naked

[sagegreen]

Use only the youngest tips to make nettle soup or tea; any older ones should be composted as Jeanied says; but I like to leave an increasingly large patch for butterflies and other insects.

[Sheikh Yerboutti]

Yes, for the sake of Britains most spectacular butterflies its wise to take nettles only in spring and autumn. Even if you dont see the caterpillars the chances are high that there will be tiny eggs on underleaf if the nettle patch is in a sunny aspect. Same deal for the ladybird which as you may know is a great aphid eater. Nettles are very nutritious, best in early spring when nice and tender, a bit like spinach. I allways make soup with em. If your nettles are in a shady place hack away any time and make plant feed.