Stinging Nettles

[Mary Kay]

I've been wanting some stinging nettles to juice etc as I've read how they're so high in minerals etc etc. We have a 100-acre farm in Ohio, and unbelievably, they just don't grow here.

So, at one of my raw food potlucks I asked and someone actually had some seeds.

It looks like there may be two plants...sigh, but they are not stingy! I also saw what I thought were some in a raw B&B's garden in New York, but they were young and didn't sting either.

So, when they are young, do they NOT sting?

I've looked at countless pics of them, and these look just like the pics. I ate a leaf yesterday and I'm still alive. LOL It didn't sting my tongue either. But these are only 5 inches tall.

Mary Kay

[spicyfull]

I would think the Mature Nettle would develope the "STING" as you say. So let them grow and see. I would also let some of them SEED so you will have seed for Next Season. I know they grow in the Wild and reSEED Naturally but I would save seed just in case.

[katchmoleen]

I'll tell you from experience that the babies in the wild sting as much as the big ones. I am willing to bet you have a domesticated variety that has the sting bred out of it or something.
I tried cooking stinging nettles once after reading about how healthy they were, but even after cooking, the ones that grew on our farm stung our throats too much to eat.

[Mary Kay]

Thanks folks.

I want them to reseed, and am shocked they even grew as I planted a fair amt of seeds and saw nothing. I planted next to cilantro and just found two small 5" plants in with t he cilantro. I can't imagine they'll have time to go to seed, but I'm hoping!

And Katchmoleen, the wild ones that a friend had growing looked exactly like mine and didn't sting either. Hmmmm.

If anyone has any that do go to seed this year, I'd love if you could mail me some! I'd be happy to pay for the mailing.

OT: Katchmoleen, what do all those initials mean in your signature...you were 6.2, now you're 5.7?

Mary Kay

[katchmoleen]

HgA1c means Hemoglobin A1c or glycolated hemoglobin, which is a measure of the average blood sugar over the last three months. Lab test used to measure the progress of a diabetic. It translates that my blood sugar was an average of 140 and now is an average of 105!

Oh, and in Montana, everyone and everything is tougher, even our nettles.:p

[Mary Kay]

LOL, It IS true about those in Montana being tougher!!!

Maybe 30+ years ago, I travelled there and I was young and healthy and even a sort of a "health nut" then. Anyway, we all went climbing up some mountains ---more like extra large hills, and I was huffing and puffing. Meanwhile, some of the folks I went with were even smoking cigarettes and not bothered in the least! LOL

Then everyone made this jump between two mountains. It was only like two feet, but I was too scared and had to walk all the way around.

Yep, those Montana folks are tough!

Mary Kay
Thanks for answering my question.

[spicyfull]

OT: Katchmoleen, what do all those initials mean in your signature...you were 6.2, now you're 5.7?



That's Funny................

[spicyfull]

I guess that's why I've only heard of Stingy Nettle Tea........They take the Teeth out so it won't Bite.

[green jeanie]

hey check out my new blog post on using the nettle seeds for adrenal support

with love! gj

[Cerellia]

You could have gotten deaf nettles, also a wild plant and very high in nutriens, similar to stinging nettles but not stingy.

[Mary Kay]

Deaf nettles? Never heard of 'em! Thanks! Sounds like a win/win situation!

I'll look them up!

Thanks,

Mary Kay

[Mary Kay]

Cerellia!

WOOHOO! By golly, I've got it --because of you!

But they're not DEAF nettles, they're dead nettles ---er, white dead nettles, actually. They're called "dead" because they don't sting.

I'm so happy!

Boy, is my life dull or what - that this is what rocks my world?!!!
Er, RAWKS MY WORLD.....LOL Just thought of that...I'm so silly.

Thanks again,

Mary Kay

[freshlight]

thought you call them deadnettles...but they are alive :D

I love SILLY!

[MysticTree]

stinging nettles will grow very happily from root cuttings. Most people who have any nettle are very happy for you to go dig them up.

Georgina

[Mary Kay]

So if I just leave these in the ground all winter, their roots will grow again next year?

Mary Kay

[Rachiel]

We have lovely nettles in NZ!!! Urtica ferox and woah are they ferocious! I know people who grow them to add nutriens to their compost but they are so dangerous. 3 "stings" can kill a lab rat and the last time a person was killed was 1963. I tend to keep my distance from any nettles now...