New plot - Nettle problem

[Cat H]

I am a keen gardener who will soon be moving from a house with a large garden to a flat with none so got an allotment last week so I can move all my moveable plants over.

The problem is though I having been quite happy digging up the weeds (I got rid of them in my garden and I can do it again), one section under a few nice fruit trees on the plot and all round the 2 compost bins are loads of nettles and I use to have a bad reaction to them.

I decided I must of just been a wimp as a child and put gloves on and started digging/pulling them up. Well I got stung twice (must of been a small hole in the glove) and it is 2 days later and my hand is still painful and swollen.

So I am trying to decide now if I should stray roundup on them or not, will this damage the fruit trees - I can put stuff round the base of them to protect it but worry that I can not 100% guarantee none will get on the trees ?

Oh and the trees are all about 6 feet tall.

[Two_Sheds]

You could try wearing decent gloves. The stingers go straight through my favourite Weedmasters, but I'm okay in leather (about £5, Wilkinson).

RoundUp won't do your fruit trees any good ~ it doesn't discriminate between good plants and bad ones.


Or, you could use your nettles. If they're in a sunny spot they will be excellent food for butterfly larvae. Just stop them spreading by deadheading the flowers with shears

[Cat H]

Hum I should really get better gloves, cannot leave the nettles though as a large number of my plants are woodland plants so the space under the trees would be brilliant for them

[veggiechicken]

You could cut them down with shears, rake them into a pile, them grab hold of the remaining stem with gloves (but its the leaves that sting so you should be OK) and pull the roots out. Forking around them will help loosen the soil first.
Keep an eye open for the first signs of regrowth and dig them out asap if you're worried about your reaction.
I've been pulling out nettles today - the root run is very extensive but since the roots are bright yellow they're easy to spot

[rustylady]

Rubber household gloves will stop them stinging your hands.

[daviddevantnhisspiritwife]

You can make nettle tea feed as well:

Making Nettle Leaf Plant Food

My growing space was covered in nettles and a large part of it still is. I see it as a resource. Might even have a go at making some Ale in the spring.

[Two_Sheds]

I have nerve damage in my fingertips, so I can touch nettles without getting stung ~ it really impresses the kids


Bladdy hurts if they get me on the back of the hand though, or inside my wrist

[daviddevantnhisspiritwife]

I got stung badly and slashed to bits picking blackberries a few weeks back. The stinging lasted for 2 or 3 days. Ouch, that'll learn me.

When I was pulling nettles to clear ground and/or make tea I wore gauntlets. Sensible.