[Elenepona]

Noticed the stingy nettles returning last month and just been away for 5 days to return to what looks like a nettle invasion! They are spreading fast!!!
We've only had our place since September and not had a garden before so was wondering what's the best approach to tackling them. I would rather not use chemicals if possible? What are the dos and donts? Can you spread them more by strimming them?

Be great to hear of other people's experiences

Thanks in advance

[Louise Gaunt]

I think the warm wet winter has encouraged the nettles to grow fast and strong. We are inundated with them. I have found the only way to really get on top of them is to dig them up, with all the matted roots, which can extend for several feet away from the clump. This isn't always possible, so I guess pulling up as many as you can and constant mowing may be the other non chemical option. Whilst typing this my arms are tingling from a morning doing battle with our nettle population explosion!

[waterbuffalofarmer]

i always strim them down and then ferment them in water for plant fertilizer.you can also dry the leaves to make nettle tea, very good blood purifier and detoxer. if you want to permanently get rid of them I would suggest that you chop them down and then using a spade dig out the root systems, be warned though it is very hard work!

[Fleecewife]

Don't forget tortoiseshell butterflies use nettles on which to lay their eggs.  I watched one yesterday laying on every nettle in a patch.  Depending on the day, you can tell they're there because the leaves are a bit curled round, and become more so, held together with a cocoon.  leave patches for the butterflies and you will be rewarded with having plenty in your garden all summer 

Otherwise, yes digging out with the whole root system, which is yellow, is the only way.  Mowing is second best if the digging is too hard going.
Never let them flower (light green tassels) and  seed or you'll never get rid of them.  We have had to abandon a couple of compost heaps where nettle seeds got in.  I too have tingly fingers today from pulling small nettle seedlings out of plants potted up in home made compost.

Nettle tea for plants and people, spring vegetable for a spring pick-me-up, gently steamed, mulch around plants, add to the compost heap, as long as there's not a single seed set, are all possible uses, as WBF says.  I mix nettles with comfrey to make liquid fertiliser which is well balanced, as nettles provide nitrogen and comfrey supplies potassium - it's a horribly pungent, stinking concoction while it's infusing, so leave it well away from you.

Sheep, at least primitives, like to eat the older plants at the end of the season, but don't seem too fond of the younger ones.

[SallyintNorth]

Cattle love dried nettle, if you're strumming and have beasts of your own or nearby

Don't overdo the hands-on unloved pulling btw - I made myself super-sensitive to nettles doing a full day in the nettle patch one year.  I'm okay now, but couldn't stand any kind of skin contact for several years after.

[Foobar]

Pull them up after a rainy day (so the soil is soft and loose).

[Bionic]

They also make good dye for fleece

[HappyHippy]

Leave a dedicated nettle area - as FW says, butterflies love them 
Also, make some nettle cordial (recipe on the forum, just search) it's really good  and is good for all forms of arthritis. Once you've made and sampled it you'll be quite happy to leave some 

[Rupert the bear]

cut and dry them the goats love a treat now and then

[devonlady]

You can also crumble dried nettles into your hens feed for a winter tonic.

[Orinlooper]

Yes just eat them, then you will be pleased if you have a p,eantiful supply

[waterbuffalofarmer]

Dry nettles are also very good for storing for winter, nettle teas for a  blood cleanser for both you and the animals during the winter months. Make sure they don't go mouldy though.  Read this
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urtica
http://www.motherearthnews.com/natural-health/stinging-nettle-benefits-zmaz81mazkin.aspx
https://www.google.co.uk/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=What+are+the+health+benefits+of+nettle+tea%3F

[Ghdp]

Leave a dedicated nettle area - as FW says, butterflies love them 
Also, make some nettle cordial (recipe on the forum, just search) it's really good  and is good for all forms of arthritis. Once you've made and sampled it you'll be quite happy to leave some 

Where do I find this recipe HH?

[waterbuffalofarmer]

Leave a dedicated nettle area - as FW says, butterflies love them 
Also, make some nettle cordial (recipe on the forum, just search) it's really good  and is good for all forms of arthritis. Once you've made and sampled it you'll be quite happy to leave some 

Where do I find this recipe HH?

Here we are @Ghdp
http://www.accidentalsmallholder.net/forum/index.php?topic=33884.75

[Ghdp]

Thank you WBF!!