Janet Galpin writes
I have a chicken house and run which have not bee used for over five
years. The house is in good condition but the run, which is quite a
large area, has become completely over-run with nettles. I would like to
restore it to non-nettle vegetation as quickly as possible so that I can
begin keeping chickens again.

My vague plan was to begin to mow it as soon as new growth starts in the
spring. I would prefer not to use chemicals. I'd be prepared for some
physical labour but think the area is too large to dig all the roots out
by hand.

Digging's not as bad as it sounds. The roots are not all that deep. And
they're quite tough, which means you can grab one and pull and get a
long length out. Quite fun when you are pulling hard and see a whole
nettle plants disappear underground a few feet away from you ;-)

--
Kay