UK Nettles

[zigs]

There are 2 main types of stinging nettle here...

From my experience the worse one is the Small Nettle..

Small Nettle | NatureSpot

www.naturespot.org.uk

Nasty sting, and it catches you out when weeding as it's very low growing.

We all know the Common Nettle..

Common Nettle | NatureSpot

www.naturespot.org.uk

Wilted over a fire it makes a tasty edible green, the heat destroys the stinging hairs.

However, you shouldn't eat them after they set flowers as the leaves develop cystoliths which can upset your urinary tract

 

[zigs]

Then there are the Dead Nettles, these take advantage of the true nettles by mimicking them to avoid being grazed.

However, these don't belong to the Urticaceae family but the Lamiaceae family, or as we used to call them, Labiates

Lamiaceae | NatureSpot

www.naturespot.org.uk

 

[Joolz]

They are my favourite!.... so are they no good for nettle tea @zig ?

 

[zigs]

Best way to tell the difference, apart from getting stung, is to check the stems.


Stinging nettles have round stems, Lamiaceae have square section stems

They are my favourite!.... so are they no good for nettle tea @zig ?

Good for nettle tea before they flower, and nettle beer

If you want new nettles later in the season, cut a patch back and wait for the new growth, this helps caterpillars to feed as well

 

[Joolz]

I had them on the allotment but non here in back garden just the other stingy ones..nettle beer??? is that like a lager or a bitter?,i've had nettle cheese that i bought in Belgium
Caterpillars..are they the ones that like ragwort or my cabbages & brugmansias? cos i,m introducing villan food

 

[zigs]

More like a bitter

They make cheese in Cornwall covered in nettles called Yarg

Verdun would know about that one

 

[Daren]

World Stinging Nettle Challenge is held in mid-June each year at The Bottle Inn in Marshwood, Dorset UK.

 

[Becky]

I'd like to try nettle wine some day - a friend told me they made it a few years back and it was delicious! Have you ever made it @zigs?

 

[zigs]

We'll have to try that Becky

Been to that pub @Daren

 

[Daren]

We'll have to try that Becky

Been to that pub @Daren

o Arrr the west country lol I cant remember where I been down there Or how I got Home

 

[HarryS]

Is it correct that they don't have stinging nettles in the USA ?

 

[zigs]

Is it correct that they don't have stinging nettles in the USA ?

They do occur in many parts of the USA now, possibly spread by human activity

 

[Scrungee]

They make cheese in Cornwall covered in nettles called Yarg

I bought a couple of pieces for the first time a couple of Sundays ago (@ 90% off shortly before closing time) and found the flavour rather dissapointing. The leafy rind looked inedible so I gave it to our hens.

(But the 90% off smoked chilli cheese was fantastic!)

Then there are the Dead Nettles,

I reckon the best one are Yellow Archangel, which have taken over our back garden together with Bluebells and Cellandines.

Yellow archangel | The Wildlife Trusts

As the bluebells fade, yellow archangel takes its turn to impress, with golden-yellow flowers carpeting our ancient woodlands.

www.wildlifetrusts.org

 

[zigs]

I told the Ziglets that when you eat Yarg, you have to say yarg when the nettles sting your mouth

I love Yellow Archangel too Scrunge

 

[Becky]

I told the Ziglets that when you eat Yarg, you have to say yarg when the nettles sting your mouth

I'm not sure which I like more - the term 'Ziglets' or the 'say Yarg' thing!