Self-Sufficient.co.uk
Find out more about Self Sufficiency
Site Search
Main Menu
Top Products
Fruit TreesPolytunnel
Water Butts
Strimmer
Shed
Greenhouse
Porous Pipe
Latest Articles
Allotment Gardening
Grow all you can eat on your own allotment.
grow your own
20:32, 10th May 2014
Smallholding for Sale in North Devon
Three bedroom detached house in 18 acres for sale - North Devon, UK
smallholding
20:48, 17th Mar 2013
Nettles
Find out more about nettles - how to benefit from them and how to get rid of them
foraging
16:12, 13th Apr 2012
Making Nettle Beer
Find out how to make your nettle beer
recipes
16:10, 13th Apr 2012
How to Make Sloe Gin
Find out how to make your own sloe gin
recipes
14:40, 13th Apr 2012
Grow Your Own Chilli Peppers
Find out how to grow your own chilli peppers
grow your own
13:33, 16th Mar 2012
Home Beekeeping
Find out more about keeping bees in your garden for honey
grow your own
15:40, 4th Jan 2012
Storing Apples
Find out how to store apples
fruits
13:23, 28th Jul 2011
Nettles
Find out more about nettles - how to benefit from them and how to get rid of them
Nettles
foraging | grow your own
Stinging nettles are found everywhere in the British countryside, and are often an unwanted invader in gardens and allotments. They are pretty easy to remove if desired, but nettles can also be used to make soup, tea, and nettle beer, and contain both vitamin A and C, iron, calcium, magnesium, as well as providing many medical benefits. They are also rich in nitrogen and minerals and act as an excellent organic accelerator for compost, but the roots should be burnt rather than composted.
Harvesting and Using Nettles
Pick only the tops from young small nettle plants, as they become bitter with age. Use scissors and wear a pair of gloves unless you want to be stung. Wearing washing up gloves wash the harvested nettles well to remove all dirt and insects.
Once nettles have been boiled, they no longer sting. To make nettle tea simply put the nettles in a pot and completely cover with water. Boil the water until the water starts to turn green. The longer you boil the nettles the stronger the final tea will be. When you are happy with the taste, remove the nettles and add them to your compost. You can add sugar to sweeten up the brew, and a slice or two of lemon enhances the flavour (as well as changing the colour of the tea to bright pink!).
Nettle leaves can also be prepared and eaten in exactly the same way as spinach. Just boil them for a few minutes until they have wilted, and season to your own taste.
A delicious nettle soup can be made with your harvest - but don't use the thicker stalks as they will be bitter. Sweat chopped onions in butter or oil and add crushed garlic, carrots, and celery. Add vegetable or chicken stock and bring to the boil before dropping in your nettles. Bring the mixture to the boil and simmer for 10 minutes, before putting it through a blender. If you would like a thicker soup then add some cooked rice or boiled potatoes to the soup before blending.
Dried nettle stalks make an excellent alternative to hay, and are good food for many farm animals and even rabbits.
Dealing with Nettle Stings
The toothed leaves are covered with short hairs. When you brush past them, these give a sting which results in an itchy rash which can last for a few hours or longer. The worst thing you can do is scratch the rash since this only makes it worse. Instead either rub the rash with a dock leaf - often found near to patches of nettles, apply a soothing lotion, or wash the stung area well.
Getting Rid of Nettles
While nettles can be delicious and one of the more nutritional weeds, most people do not want nettles growing throughout their vegetable patch or garden.
As a perennial weed which grows an extensive root system, they can be difficult to remove totally. However, cutting the tops from nettles prevents them from flowering and seeding, and regular hoeing of small nettle plants during periods of dry weather will in time destroy them. If you have only a small patch of nettles to remove, then you can dig up the roots (being careful not to leave any roots underground), and burn them.
Article Published: 16:12, 13th Apr 2012
Related Articles
Vintage Cider Apples
Find out more growing your own vintage cider apples
Article Published: 09:57, 4th Mar 2010
fruits | grow your own | preserving | foraging
Storing Herbs by Freezing
Find out how to freeze herbs to retain their flavour for months
Article Published: 16:10, 4th Jun 2010
preserving | grow your own
Growing Peas
Find out more about growing delicious peas
Article Published: 16:16, 18th Jul 2008
vegetables | grow your own
Wild Garlic
Find out about wild garlic
Article Published: 11:40, 19th Nov 2010
foraging | recipes
Sweet Chestnuts
Find and eat delicious sweet chestnuts
Article Published: 14:07, 11th Jul 2008
foraging
Storing Garlic
Find out how to store your garlic
Article Published: 14:44, 25th Nov 2010
preserving | grow your own
Watering Your Greenhouse
Find out how to keep your greenhouse plants well watered
Article Published: 12:29, 9th Jul 2008
greenhouse | grow your own
Make Lavender Biscuits
Find out how to make delicious fragrant lavender biscuits
Article Published: 13:22, 16th Jun 2011
foraging | recipes | general
Make Your Own DIY Polytunnel
Find out how to make your own robust polytunnel for half the price of the retail product
Article Published: 17:12, 17th Sep 2008
building | grow your own | greenhouse
Making Garlic Oil
Make your own garlic oil
Article Published: 14:49, 25th Nov 2010
preserving | grow your own | recipes