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Garden Gate:  Starting Stinging Nettles from seed?  |
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Lady in Pearls
True Blue Farmgirl
105 Posts
Ashley
Texas
USA
105 Posts |
 Posted - Dec 02 2015 : 1:57:43 PM
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I know. Nettles? Who would want to intentionally plant them?
This crazy lady!
I love nettle tea and have a million recipes for fresh nettle dip, soup, etc, but since buying our first home this year, Nettles are a weed that have not popped up in our yard (I'm really crossing my fingers for wild onions next spring), so I ordered some seeds from Mountain Rose Herbs.
Has anyone tried to start them from seed?
I remember them growing in my childhood backyard (which is basically a wooded swamp), but when I sprinkled some seed this spring, none of them took.
The MRH seeds are of higher quality than the other package I used, but I'm still unsure if I should start them in a pot and transfer them, or try to sow them directly, and whether I should sow them in the amended, well-draining garden soil or in the normal yard dirt. We have mild winters, boggy, clay soil, and VERY hot summers.
Thanks in advance for any advice!
“If more of us valued good food and cheer above hoards of gold, it would be a merrier world." - Tolkien
http://myfrenchreligion.blogspot.com/ |
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jillyd
True Blue Farmgirl
723 Posts
Jill
Saanichton
British Columbia
Canada
723 Posts |
Posted - Feb 01 2016 : 8:30:01 PM
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I started Stinging Nettles from seed two years ago. I started them in my green house in flats, then transferred to 4" pots and then out into a bed. We have rocky rocky soil, so I've pretty much given up planting my veggies into the ground and have a lot of raised beds. They grew really well the first year and even better the second. I had to pull a few that were deciding to wander off. I've used them in a number of recipes in place of spinach and nobody has complained, as well as tea. My friends all told me I was crazy to grow them too, but it's so convenient to just go and pick them when you want some. Good Luck!
Jill
Farmgirl #6748 |
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lovinRchickens
True Blue Farmgirl
3474 Posts
Kelly
Pipe Creek
Texas
USA
3474 Posts |
Posted - Feb 02 2016 : 08:44:59 AM
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I am trying to germinate seed right now as well. I don't have any advise but do wish both of us luck.
Farmgirl #5111
Farmgirl of the month October 2014
Blessings
~Kelly~ |
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churunga
True Blue Farmgirl
3950 Posts
Marie
Minneapolis
MN
USA
3950 Posts |
Posted - Feb 02 2016 : 1:17:56 PM
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Stinging nettles have many medicinal uses.
Young tender stalks boiled in water are rich in protein, iron and vitamins A and C.
The nettles are a counterirritant to an already irritated area and increases blood flow thus reducing inflammation.
Teas from the seeds is used as a hair tonic which promotes growth and fights dandruff.
A poultice of leave relieves pain from inflammation. Dried and powdered leaves stop bleeding.
The fibers in the stalks make a durable linen-like cloth.
I love this herb.
Marie, Sister #5142
Farmgirl of the Month May 2014
Try everything once and the fun things twice. |
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lovinRchickens
True Blue Farmgirl
3474 Posts
Kelly
Pipe Creek
Texas
USA
3474 Posts |
Posted - Feb 02 2016 : 1:28:16 PM
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Marie
Yes the uses are so wonderful. We drink an infusion of dried nettle weekly. Boosts energy with all its nutrients.
Farmgirl #5111
Farmgirl of the month October 2014
Blessings
~Kelly~ |
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Lady in Pearls
True Blue Farmgirl
105 Posts
Ashley
Texas
USA
105 Posts |
Posted - Feb 03 2016 : 09:04:02 AM
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Thanks for the information ladies!
Churunga- I didn't know the use about dried, powdered nettles stopping bleeding. Interesting! I'm excited to grow such a useful herb!
Jillyd- Did you have to stratify the seeds? I've heard some people do, but in my climate, we only have a handful of freezing hours. I guess I could put them in the fridge/freezer, but if not, that would be easier!
LovinRchickens-let me know how they turn out! Yes, wishing us luck!
“If more of us valued good food and cheer above hoards of gold, it would be a merrier world." - Tolkien
http://myfrenchreligion.blogspot.com/ |
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jillyd
True Blue Farmgirl
723 Posts
Jill
Saanichton
British Columbia
Canada
723 Posts |
Posted - Feb 04 2016 : 07:31:24 AM
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Hi Ashley, no I didn't stratify the seeds. I bought them from a local herb farmer, kept them inside all winter and planted them in the spring. I'm on Vancouver Island BC and we have very mild winters, so naturally they wouldn't spend much time at freezing temperatures. I actually bought a little book from Amazon (I think) called 101 Uses of Nettles by Piers Warren. I'm feeling motivated now to try some different uses.
Thanks for everyone's information.
Jill
Farmgirl #6748 |
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lovinRchickens
True Blue Farmgirl
3474 Posts
Kelly
Pipe Creek
Texas
USA
3474 Posts |
Posted - Feb 13 2016 : 2:44:01 PM
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Ashley
My seeds are popping up :). How are yours doing? I hope some germinated for you.
Farmgirl #5111
Farmgirl of the month October 2014
Blessings
~Kelly~ |
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ceejay48
Farmgirl Legend/Schoolmarm/Sharpshooter
13640 Posts
CeeJay (CJ)
Dolores
Colorado
USA
13640 Posts |
Posted - Feb 13 2016 : 3:10:48 PM
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My daughter and hubby consume nettle tea when they're dealing with their seasonal allergies and find it quite helpful!
Other than that, all I know is how painful it is to get "stung" by them! They grow wild in our mountains and one must be watchful!
They grow wild in Scotland too . . . that's a story I won't get into, but it hurt!
CJ
..from the barefoot farmgirl in SW Colorado...sister chick #665.
2010 Farmgirl Sister of the Year
Mother Hen: FARMGIRLS SOUTHWEST HENHOUSE
my aprons - http://www.facebook.com/FarmFreshAprons
living life - www.snippetscja.blogspot.com
from my heart - www.fromacelticheart.blogspot.com
from my hubby - www.aspenforge.blogspot.com |
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Garden Gate: Starting Stinging Nettles from seed? |
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Starting Stinging Nettles from seed?
