"Alan Gould" wrote in message
...
In article , ChrisC ?@?.?
writes
Do stinging nettles seed? I would quite like to grow them for tea and
soup purposes. Or would it be advisable to go dig some up at the local
common?

Stinging nettles can be annuals or perennials but the more common type
seen is the perennial Urtica Dioica. They normally propagate themselves
naturally, but if you need to introduce them into your garden, that can
be done either by seeding in spring or by root division in any growing
season. Once they are established, they will re-grow each year and like
all other perennials, they will need to be controlled from spreading
more that you wish.

Though stinging nettles may seem very vigorous, they should not be cut
too hard or more often than three times annually, or they will cease to
thrive. Nettles are an excellent plant to have in the garden, they have
many culinary, medicinal and horticultural uses and their fibres are
used for making paper and linen. Have a look at the urg FAQ describing
nettle infusion at: http://www.nugget.demon.co.uk/MetaFAQ/nettle.html
--
Alan & Joan Gould - North Lincs

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For cooking for dinner either with or without cabbage, harvest and use only
the tips at the top.
Just nip them off with three or four leaves on. As children we used just our
bare fingers and never suffered any stinging. Boiled like cabbage nettles
have a distinct taste of their own which we found quite acceptable.
Doug.
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