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novice_2009

anyone ever grow nettles?

novice_2009
14 years ago

I'm stumped! I sowed two packets of nettles, from two different companies, in two different beds, and NONE of it sprouted! I was looking foward to using it in compost and other uses.

Anyone ever grow it with success? I can't figure it out.

Comments (10)

  • fatamorgana2121
    14 years ago

    I do believe that they need to be sown fall or very early spring. Some seed needs cold to break the dormancy and I believe that nettle is one of those.

    Can you find someone who has the plant and doesn't want it? Someone who curses its existence? They'll be happy to give you ALL you want. :)

    FataMorgana

  • eibren
    14 years ago

    Is it a perennial or an annual?

  • fatamorgana2121
    14 years ago

    I assumed the OP was asking about stinging nettle Urtica dioica which is a perennial but I guess they could have meant something else. "Nettle" is a common "common name!"

    FataMorgana

  • novice_2009
    Original Author
    14 years ago

    Yeah, fatamorgana, stinging nettles. It did say sow in spring, but the weather here was so crazy...i guess when I did sow them it was too warm. Yeah, it's a perennial, and somebody is cursing it now, but don't know who! I guess i'll get another packet and try a fall sowing. Should I stratify them first you think?
    Thanks, Gretchen (recently nicknamed dirty girl but won't use that name as it could be taken the wrong way!)

  • indigocharm
    14 years ago

    I'm growing some right now... they're just little sprouts. You do have to plant them while it's not too warm, as other people said -- fall or early spring. Since they grow well in northern climates, I suspect they do well after being exposed to cold (i.e. winter). Also, you have to make sure that it gets shade, moisture, and is in good soil, but you probably already know that. :P

  • rj_hythloday
    14 years ago

    I tried a whole packet (stinging) over a few different times and didn't get any.

    I got a packet of Purple dead nettle that says to sprout in the fridge, may take up to a year to germinate. Or in the fall, mulch, remove mulch in spring. I may try winter sowing them this year.

  • fatamorgana2121
    14 years ago

    Just so you know, dead nettle is not the same or even close to stinging nettle. Two entirely different Genus - Lamium and Urtica. Not really used in the same ways to my knowledge.

    FataMorgana

  • tavateve
    14 years ago

    nettles want to have soil with H in... (and why not dry them and put on the cereals or porridge for breakfast, or rinse them put into simmering water some seconds, take them up, cut them fine, and down into the water again then add a vegetablebouillondice, some garlic, some white wine and spices after taste..During light simmering make hardboiled egg. and serve the soup with egghalves...

  • tavateve
    14 years ago

    I mean soil with N, not H which i happened to write......

  • wildforager
    14 years ago

    I have plenty of plants coming up in my yard right now(Urtica Dioica). just email me if anyone wants to trade.

    Thanks,
    Little John

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