Stinging nettle is one of the best known plants in herbalism, in part because it is a very nutritious plant!
That rich nutrition profile is the reason nettles evolved to have such a formidable defense with its stinging properties…otherwise it would be eaten by animals into extinction!
Thankfully, with our modern technologies of gloves and long sleeves, you can easily harvest the leaves to make nettle tea. The tender leaves can also be cooked in early spring to make a very nutritious greens dish. Keeping the stalks cut back regularly can help to extend the greens season.
Stinging nettle is a well known plant around animal farms where many manure deposits in the same area creates the very rich, fertile soil that stinging nettle loves.
Growth Parameters:
Expect an herbaceous perennial with stems ranging from 4 to 6 feet depending on soil type. More rich organic soils will yield taller stalks.
It can certainly spread by both seeds and rhizomes, but in a garden context it is manageable. Cut back seed heads to prevent spreading by seeds, and dig up plants as they spread and plant in other areas or enrich compost with this dynamic accumulator.
