Nettles

Right I have just got my first plot and a couple of the bed are full of nettles, from what I understand it is a good signed as it means the soil is good but getting the roots out is another matter. There are complete layers of roots matted together which has not been easy to get out. I have got the majority out but what i am asking is if there are strands left in the bed, will they just grow back as a carpet of roots again so i have to dig them out at a later stage.

Also as the soil is going to be good any recommendations on what to grow ??

0 members like this

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Flighty on March 27, 2012 at 21:16

Welcome to UKVG, and congratulations on getting a plot!

Any roots left will grow which you'll have to dig out when they appear. They will get fewer year on year but probably won't disappear altogether.

Grow something that you like and want to grow!

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Colin Robinson on March 27, 2012 at 22:05

If you haven't disposed of the nettle tops they make a great liquid feed. Just bung em in a big tub of water and leave for a few weeks till they get really smelly then use diluted 50/50 with water.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Fred Hogg on March 28, 2012 at 6:50

Go for potatoes in the nettle beds, the working of the soil involved with spud growing, will help.....

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by green claws on March 28, 2012 at 11:58

Nettles are cut down and off to the tip this time but the soil is pretty good and full of worms so looking forward to getting some veg in, I already have some early potatoes in some bags so no need for more just yet, As it does not get much sun maybe 3 hrs in one of the small plots beds am think lots of leaf vegetables like salad as I understand they grow well without too much sunlight.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Colin Dixon on March 29, 2012 at 12:36

Get some main crop spuds in because the good thing about spuds on new ground is the canopy you get when they grow. This should be enough to kill off many of the nettles through lack of light

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Stephen Shirley on March 29, 2012 at 21:18

Young nettles make a lovely spinach substitute - so you should have tried them before attacking them; like all weeds they are only a plant in the wrong place!

Although all that root looks scary, they are a really easy weed to control so yes, spuds are great - but the reality is they will be easy to reduce / keep in check whatever you grow.

You could always try a three sisters bed which will also swamp them (pleas do no Google this with safe search off! - try this Growing Sweetcorn, Beans and Squash Using The Three Sisters Method )

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Gareth Wilson on April 9, 2012 at 21:18

Your soil will certainly be rich if nettles grow there and as rule they prefer an acid soil. I'd go for potatoes and perhaps some runner beans if you can provide them with something to climb up. Keep an eye open for fresh nettles appearing and dig out as soon as they raise there head. Nettles are a good free food and have more iron in them than spinach.