Be careful not to harvest from areas that are close to busy streets or are frequented by dog walkers. In the fall they can be used to make cordage - especially good for water cordage, like nets (hence the name). We harvest this wild green regularly and use it primarily in our very dense greens soup. Thick gloves, a heavy jacket, tough jeans, and boots are a must. How to harvest stinging nettle root. The most important tip of harvesting stinging nettle is to be sure you’re covered to avoid being stung by the plant. There are a couple of great articles on the internet describing how to harvest nettle seeds… I've been picking wild nettles with the intention of extracting the fibre and making cloth. It can be rather painful. Stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) are one of more than 50 varieties of nettle plants worldwide. It is recommended that you wear gloves and long sleeves when harvesting stinging nettle. For medicinal properties, harvest early on before the nettles start to flower. Nettle is also known for attracting beneficial insects. To grow stinging nettle plants, look for a spot in your yard that has full sun. Nettle takes 80-90 days to mature when you grow it from seed. Harvest stinging nettle roots in the fall for this tincture that is helpful for men’s health. Thick clothes and rubber gloves will prevent you from getting stung. It’s beneficial as a whole-body detoxifier, an immune booster, to improve circulation and so much more. It contains antioxidants (like phenolic compounds, Vitamin E, and melatonin). The best time to harvest nettle is from late March through April when the leaves are tender and between one and three inches wide. Interestingly, if you sting an inflamed or painful area of the body with nettle, it has been shown to decrease the pain. Then, use tongs to handle the nettles. The sting of the fresh leaves is said to have healing properties, such as helping to reduce inflammation, improving circulation, and even combating allergies. The best time to harvest nettles is the first few weeks of spring when the leaves are young and tender. Those of us living in the Pacific Northwest (and many other regions around the world) are fortunate to be gifted every spring with an abundance of Stinging Nettle (Urtica dioica). Carefully harvest the fresh tender tops of stinging nettle plants. Around 200 to 400 beneficial insects flock to nettle plants, which is impressive. This plant is a perennial and grows as tall as 5-8 feet at maturity. Before that, it is advisable to steam them or blanch them in salted water so they lose their sting. Yes, it does sting. The leaves are found growing in … Keep the gloves on while you’re preparing the nettles as well. Stems are erect, four-angled, and bristled. It's the right time of year to harvest stinging nettles for yarn purposes. Tips For Harvesting Nettle Leaves. Spreads by underground stems or rhizomes to form dense colonies. Start by cutting off the top of the plants so that you don't get stung right away. Stinging nettle pesto is a green sauce/condiment/paste made with garlic, salt, Parmesan, walnuts, oil and blanched stinging nettle. When harvesting: A lways harvest stinging nettle with thick gardening gloves to avoid being stung. Treating Stinging Nettle. If you have a disease or pest problem in your grow space, nettle could be the solution. I happened on this accidentally when i went to harvest a batch of nettle for a meal. Collect them with gloves on, cutting the top 5 inches before they flower, and either hang them up to dry to use later, put them in vinegar for salad dressing, or cook them into soups or stews. The plant will be under a foot in height. Skin contact with stinging nettle commonly causes welts. It’s no wonder that nettle has been used worldwide for centuries as a potent medicine, documented as far back as Ancient Greece. It’s also best to harvest young plant parts, preferably in the spring. Where ever you live, there are many medicinal herbs that grow wildly in both rural and urban areas, including Stinging Nettle. (Photo Credits) For most people, being stung by a nettle is an experience that’s quite difficult to forget. You can read more about harvesting and using stinging nettle roots here. In fact, stinging nettle attracts a variety of beneficial insects and butterfly species. Nettles have a bast fibre that runs the length … Set them aside and use them later to cover the disturbed area and improve future soil growth. Always wear gloves, pants and a long-sleeve shirt. Nettle is one of those magical plants that gives us more than the effort we put into harvesting it. Pour 40% vodka over them. For centuries, stinging nettles have been brewed into medicinal tea that naturally contains profuse amounts of biologically active compounds that improves general health. Harvesting nettle can prove a bit tricky. Nettle can be eaten as a nutrient-dense food, woven into cloth, applied to the skin, drunk … read more "How to Harvest & Process Stinging Nettle" When to Harvest. I made the mistake of using garden gloves and my hands are riddled with stinging bumps. Stinging nettles grow practically everywhere: even in cities, it is often possible to find the plant growing in parks or gardens as a weed. So when you have an opportunity to forage these, just freeze them. A distant mint relative, stinging nettles are equally invasive and need to be sternly managed . Harvesting Nettle. The first step to nettle harvesting is ensuring that you are properly protected. Some people purposely sting themselves to encourage the release of an anti-inflammatory response. When using with other herbs and supplements: As with any herb or supplement, it’s important to be cautious when mixing to avoid adverse side effects. Anyone up for a Nettle-A-Long? Stinging Nettle: Harvesting, Processing and Recipes. HOW TO HARVEST STINGING NETTLE. I passed a lovely afternoon recently in harvesting my first nettle seeds of the year. They are so abundant right now and so helpful during these busy periods that it was a real pleasure to get out gathering them. Stinging nettle; the name itself carries an ominous warning to those who might come in contact with it. Possibly the easiest plant food to dry and save for later; jumping on the stinging nettle train. Be careful when harvesting stinging nettle. You can even use fermented brine. The stem and leaf edges are covered in stinging hairs. They become more bitter after they flower and as they age. as I already mentioned the best stinging nettle leaves are the young ones that grow in early spring. Fill a quart jar with nettle roots. Unless you’re crazy, you’ll want to avoid getting stung, so wear gloves. I struggled to identify them for a couple years until I found a patch and confirmed that it was indeed a stinging nettle patch. Kim Chisholm June 7, 2013 10. Your nettles will be ready to harvest between 80-90 days from seed. Scale 1x 2x 3x Ingredients. Let me know if it helps. A Note of Caution: Always seek medical advice from your doctor or other healthcare professional before taking any nutritional or herbal supplements. Plant the nettle roots in rich, moist soil. The stem is usually less than 1cm in diameter and the coarsely saw-toothed leaves are lance shaped to oval and have a pointed tip and a heart shaped base. How To Harvest and Use Fresh Nettles: Stinging Nettles are a wonderful vegetable that tastes something like spinach.