10 uses for nettles
- BBC Gardeners' World Magazine
Published: Monday, 22 April 2019 at 6:55 am
Put stinging nettles to productive use, with the help of our feature.
Save
- Share on facebook
- Share on twitter
- Share on pinterest
- Share on whatsapp
- Share on blogger
- Email to a friend
Nettles have a bad reputation among gardeners. Although they sting and are invasive if left unchecked, there are numerous ways they can be put to positive use in both your garden and kitchen. Learn more, below.
Ad
Nettles are a magnet for beneficial wildlife, they can be made into great plant food and are a surprisingly versatile ingredient in the kitchen.
The nettle we're used to in the UK is Urtica dioica, a perennial plant full of iron, calcium, magnesium and nitrogen, which makes it incredibly nutritious for both other plants and humans.
Follow our tips on putting nettles to good use - but be sure to wear gloves at all times when handling them.
A hearty nettle soup
For a basic soup you'll need about 200g of fresh nettle tips. Add 450g of potatoes, peeled and cubed, a dash of cream and one litre of stock. Boil the potatoes until soft and steam the nettles. Drain the spuds and add the nettles and stock. Bring the boil, whisk with a hand blender, add a dash of cream and season.
An attractive serving of nettle soup
Spring greens
Nettles can be used in exactly the same way as spinach - almost any recipe containing spinach could contain nettles as an alternative. For a simple side dish, they're best steamed for around five minutes.
Nettle-tips in a steamer ready to cook
Reviving nettle tea
As well as being delicious, nettle tea is reputed to help combat several ailments, including eczema, asthma, hay fever and muscle aches. Just steep a few fresh tips in boiling water, removing them when the water goes slightly green, to avoid bitterness.
Pouring boiling water on nettle leaves in a glass teapot to make nettle tea
Nettles help butterflies
Nettles are key to the survival of butterflies, as they are the primary food source for many caterpillars including those of the comma, tortoiseshell and peacock. Without nettles caterpillars would go in search of alternative food sources - probably one of your favourite plants.
A butterfly drinking from mauve flowers
Nettle beer
All you need to make nettle beer is nettles, sugar, water, yeast, an orange, a lemon and cream of tartar. There are plenty of nettle beer recipes online.
A pile of nettle-tips and other ingredients ready to make nettle beer
Nettle liquid feed
To make nitrogen-rich nettle feed, cut or crush the nettles into small pieces and cram into a large container. Weigh the nettles down with bricks, and submerge with water (store away from the house, to avoid the smell). Leave for three or four weeks then dilute for direct use (one part concentrate to 10 parts water).
Diluting home-made liquid nettle feed in a watering can for application
Nettles as aphid trap
Although aphids suck plants sap, stunting growth, they are also a vital source of food for many beneficial insects and birds. Aphids love nettles, which you can grow as 'sacrificial' plants, saving valuable ornamentals. (The aphids might stunt the nettle growth, too.)
An aphid colony on the underside of a leaf
Nettles for ladybirds
Nettles are the number one destination for ladybirds with eggs to lay. These eggs turn into ladybird larvae, which predate on garden pests, including aphids, whitefly and red spider mite.
A ladybird nestled on leaves
Nettles as soil indicator
Nettles are actually quite fussy about the soil in which they will grow. They require a soil rich in phosphates and nitrogen to thrive. If you see a patch, grow plants alongside that thrive in similar conditions. Dig up nettles at the end of each season to prevent their fleshy roots spreading out of control.
Ad
The tip of a nettle shoot
Nettles on the compost heap
Chopped nettles act as a natural activator and speed up the decomposition process in compost heaps. For the best results, make sure the nettles are thoroughly mixed with lots of different materials - dry, wet, soft and woody - otherwise they become slimy. Don't add nettle roots, unless your heap is very hot.
Adding nettles to a garden compost heap, handling with gloves
Kate Bradbury says
When making a nettle feed, why not make double the amount? Use one lot as a feed and leave the second amount out in the open, without a lid. This will attract many insects, including breeding hoverflies, which will lay eggs in the stagnant matter.
Loading...
Ad
Ad
Don't miss out this Winter
Enjoy expert advice on what to plant and grow this winter, and how to prepare your plot for the year ahead. Enjoy, 6 months for just £31.99
Great gardening savings - straight to your inbox
Sign up to the BBC Gardeners’ World offers newsletter for exclusive deals, seasonal savings, and early access to special promotions.
Loading...
Ad
Loading...
Loading...