Controlling the Common Nettle (2024)

FAQs

Controlling the Common Nettle? ›

How to Control the Common Nettle

Pull or fork out young plants – if you have loose soil, pull out young plants of common or small stinging nettles, otherwise use a hand fork to remove the roots. Fork out established plants – use a border fork to lift and remove as much of the root system of common stinging nettles as possible.

For areas that are too heavily overgrown with stinging nettles to be tackled by hand, spray with a systemic weedkiller containing glyphosate, such as Roundup Ultra. Glyphosate is a non-selective systemic weedkiller that will kill any plant it touches, so protect nearby plants with plastic sheeting before spraying.

Stinging nettle is generally considered safe when used as directed. Occasional side effects include mild stomach upset, fluid retention, sweating, diarrhea, and hives or rash (mainly from topical use). It is important to be careful when handling the nettle plant because touching it can cause an allergic rash.

Baking soda is the simplest home remedy for nettle stings. It's an alkaline which neutralises the nettle sting's acid. Mix a few drops of cold water with some baking soda in a cup. Then, spread it over the sting using a gentle cloth.

Remove seedlings and young plants on freshly cultivated ground before they get chance to establish and spread. Dig out established clumps, ensuring that all of the thick, yellow roots are removed. Where growing nettles to encourage beneficial wildlife, pinch out the flowers as soon as they appear to prevent seeding.

To kill nettles in grazed paddocks or agricultural grassland we would recommend a selective weed killer which would tackle the problem of the nettles but will not harm the grassland surrounding them. For knapsack application, Grazon Pro is the best solution for the problem.

Chemical Control:

If the nettles are appearing in areas you don't want any plant growth, you could use a glyphosate based product such as Roundup Pro Active or Gallup Home & Garden. Consider mixing this with Paradise to ensure that the area is weed free for the growing season (5 months).

Grazon Pro - Unrivalled selective pasture weed killer for tough grassland weeds including: docks, thistles, nettles, bramble, broom and gorse.

Stinging nettles are entirely safe to use in an organic garden making them a great way to cut down on pesticides. What's more, nettles are abundantly available. It couldn't be more straightforward to make your own nettle fertiliser and, best of all, the process is entirely cost-free!

What is the difference between common nettle and stinging nettle? ›

The only “difference” is that the leaf is merely a part of the whole plant. Stinging nettle can be divided into six subspecies, and five of them have stinging hairs called trichomes, which will inject chemicals that produce a stinging sensation upon contact.

The chemical compounds in stinging nettle have a variety of health benefits for women. Because of its astringent characteristics, it can relieve unpleasant premenstrual symptoms including cramping and bloating, as well as reduce blood flow during menstruation.

The best weed killer for stinging nettles is a systemic herbicde containing glyphosate which will get of the weed effectively. Roundup is a practical stinging nettle treatment because it works down to the roots, killing the entire nettle plant.

Remedies for this sting include a plant that often grows next to it called jewelweed. Applying the crushed stem of this plant to the affected area soothes the irritated skin. Another method for alleviating the pain is to apply a mixture of baking soda and water.

They are a great prey item for larger insects such as parasitic wasps and ladybirds and can also be prey for small insect eating birds like blue tit*. During these strange times of lockdown, many of us are taking to our gardens to get them looking how they should and getting rid of those pesky 'weeds'.

Home treatments, such as washing the area with soapy water and taking OTC pain relievers, may help ease the symptoms. If people have severe, long lasting, or worsening symptoms, they can see their doctor. Anyone who has a severe allergic reaction to stinging nettles will need immediate medical care.

A happy nettle patch will grow back and expand every season. Harvest: Don't be afraid of the sting: just wear gloves! Begin harvests in the second year of growth. Nettles are at their most tender in early spring (when they might appear purple due to the natural antifreeze in the leaves) and late fall.