Leaf harvest If you have experienced the pain of a Stinging Nettle plant, wisdom would tell you to avoid it. In warmer climates where the ground doesn’t freeze, you may be able to harvest in the winter as well. £4.99 £ 4. Leaves are pointed at the tips, with a heart-shaped base and indented veins. But drying or cooking eliminates the sting, and the attractive plants have a long history of use in herbal medicine, as a medicinal shampoo and reputed to alleviate symptoms in cases of arthritis, enlarged prostate, and many other complaints. You have three options for consuming stinging nettle seeds daily. Seed in the spring in rows that are an inch apart and keep the area moist. I wildcraft nettle seed preferentially from Urtica dioica gracilis var. lyalli in eastern Washington for its very large seed clusters. Stinging Nettle (Urtica Dioica) - Stinging Nettle is found growing all across North America and especially in moist, forested soil. Harvesting Wild nettle (aka stinging nettle), isn’t as painful as it might sound! The young shoots can be cooked and eaten and the dried leaves are very nutritious. Scale 1x 2x 3x Ingredients. Harvest … Fast growing… £9.99 £ 9. In medieval Europe Stinging nettle was used as a diuretic (to rid the body of excess water) and to treat joint pain. (This is where the sting comes from!) But, this perennial, often grown from herb seeds, is used as a medicinal herb, and it is used in the kitchen as well where cooking will remove the stinging effect of the leaves. Stinging nettle grows from early spring through the summer. I have other blogs that include recipes using nettles, and further nettle recipes in my wild food foraging book so here I wanted to focus on something different - when not to pick and eat them. I find it common for Stinging Nettles to come up in bagged potting soil – this is the case here. I really would like to know how you use the stinging nettle seeds because it’s so difficult to find news about it in Italian. All the nettles can be used for food and medicine. How to Use Stinging Nettle Seeds for the Best Health Benefits. Mint Images/Getty Images. the identification of the 3 main species of nettle found in the UK, and what isn’t a nettle. 4.1 out of 5 stars 15. Possibly the easiest plant food to dry and save for later; jumping on the stinging nettle train. How to Harvest Stinging Nettle Roots. Common Stinging-Nettle seeds should be sown in spring or autumn outside, where they are to flower, and covered lightly with soil. I use nettle in teas for soothing cold symptoms. the best time to harvest the seeds and leaves, seed gathering: the identification of the male and female plants of common nettle so you can gather the seeds effectively - because they are only produced by the female plants and not the males. Fresh green stinging nettle seeds growing on the plant. Apart from the fact that nettles do sting, nettles are a wonderful ingredient to use in soups, pasta dishes, frittatas—basically in any cooked dish where you would use young spinach. A quick steaming is all it takes to neutralize the histamines that make these bristles sting and results in delicious, spinach-like greens. Bake with them, as you would poppy or sesame seeds. Amazon's Choice for "nettle seeds" Valdemar Manufaktur Premium Nettle-Seeds 250g - HANDPACKED in Germany. In most cases, gloves are a good idea, as some contact with the leaves is likely to occur. Stinging nettle has been used for hundreds of years to treat painful muscles and joints, eczema, arthritis, gout, and anemia. The plant will have small “hairs” up the stalk and stems. (Urtica dioica) Yes, it’s the very same plant that causes unwary hikers such discomfort! Stinging nettle, one of the earliest wild perennial greens, announces the arrival of spring. In order to avoid getting stung, it is highly recommended you wear gloves when handling nettles. Young Stinging Nettle growing in with pink Impatiens in flower. To buy Common Stinging-Nettle seeds To purchase Common Stinging-Nettle seeds please select a quantity above and click add to cart. You may also direct sow nettle greens in the garden. Stinging Nettles are common and easy to identify, so what's not to like?! Impatiens flowers behind. Plants are covered in small hollow hairs that produce a stinging sensation, irritation and discomfort when in contacted with skin; the stinging hairs can be neutralized by drying or cooking. T he time of year has arrived for harvesting nettle seeds (Urtica dioica). Has medicinal and culinary uses. The green seed is quickly separated from any stray leaves or stems by sifting it through a standard steel mesh kitchen sieve. 99. Very nutritious. 4.2 out of 5 stars 9. However, you can reduce your risk of a rash with one simple trick: Limit your harvest to young, tender nettle plants. However expert harvesters explain that if you pinch the stem of the leaf tight enough, you do not get stung. Then, wearing rubber gloves, I rub the seed off into a bowl. The stingers that defend the plant. When starting the nettle seeds, begin by placing nutrient-rich soil in a grow tray. Are some of the easiest wild seeds to harvest I know of, along with cow parsnip, wild fennel and angelica. I found only a Swiss recipy that show how touse them cooked a little bit to add to salads. Close up of Stinging Nettle stem with stinging hairs visible. Nettle seeds. In the fall they can be used to make cordage - especially good for water cordage, like nets (hence the name). Stinging nettle, or Urtica dioica, is a common plant that grows in the United States, Canada, and Europe.It primarily grows in damp, fertile soil. It is so early, in fact, that it wears a coat: one made of tiny stinging bristles. First year ones like this are not as good as the tops from mature rootstock. Plant two seeds in each cell of the grow tray to ensure each pod will have a plant incase one of the seeds fails to germinate. It's September and we're at our workshop on Wild Food and Medicine, led by bushcraft and woodcraft teacher Jonathon Huet. Choose a spot that has rich, moist soil a little ways from any other herbs. To learn more about growing, using, and harvesting stinging nettle leaves, check out this comprehensive guide. Large leaves will fill up a bag or bucket fairly quickly. Urtica dioica, often called common nettle, stinging nettle (although not all plants of this species sting) or nettle leaf, is a herbaceous perennial flowering plant in the family Urticaceae. Keep the gloves on while you’re preparing the nettles as well. Pour 40% vodka over them. An early spring harvest basket full of stinging nettles at Tyrant Farms. If you have experienced the pain of a Stinging Nettle plant, wisdom would tell you to avoid it. Perennial growing to 100cm. Growing stinging nettle from seeds: Nettle seeds are small (about the size of a pin head) and while the seeds germinate quickly, the plants take a while to grow when started indoors. The stems make good tea. 99 (£9.99/count) Get it Sunday, Nov 15. Harvest stinging nettle roots in the fall for this tincture that is helpful for men’s health. It is recommended that you wear gloves and long sleeves when harvesting stinging nettle. The nettle has sharp hairs on … Keep the growing stinging nettle seeds moist. This is the time when energy from the plant is directed toward root production rather than to the leaves, seeds, or flowers. Fill a quart jar with nettle roots. The leaves, stems and roots can all be used but we’re going to focus on the leaves and stems. Sprinkle them on salads, porridge, granola, smoothies, heck, even on your roast dinner! Don’t cover the plants heavily with soil because they need light to germinate, and you should see proof of germination within 14 days. Casual contact with any above ground part of the plant can cause a dermatological incident that is painful and persistent. The roots I am discussing in this article harvesting are from Urtica dioica dioica, which is what I wildcraft and farm. Harvest for eating before they are knee high. Typically when I harvest, I harvest mature nettle plants with large leaves. Ideally choose a site with reasonably fertile soil where plants can be allowed to spread. This means they help the body handle stress... all kinds of stres s, by supporting adrenal function. Stinging nettle will grow in dense clusters, and stalks can reach 5-8 feet at maturity. If you are trying to harness the benefits of stinging nettle root, you are going to have to dig a bit. By the end, we hope you’ll see why (and how) you should grow your own stinging nettle! 2 cups dried or 4 cups of fresh stinging nettle roots; 3 to 4 cups vodka or brandy (80 proof) 1-quart jar; 5 amber glass bottles with dropper lids; Instructions. I pick long stems with scissors and then use the scissors to cut off the leaves. Minimum of 200 seeds per packet. Germinating seeds is normally easy. The seeds and roots have medicinal value. HOW TO HARVEST STINGING NETTLE. FREE Delivery. As the plants get older each year, they’ll start to bolt and produce seeds, which makes the plant tough and stringy to eat. Stinging Nettle is found growing all across North America and especially in moist, forested soil. To harvest nettle seed, I cut off the top third of each nettle and dry them on a sheet or brown paper in the sunshine, turning them occasionally until the leaves feel crisp. Germination should occur by about 14 days. Care must be taken in harvesting because the leaves sting the skin and cause itching. Eating them in their raw or dried form. Urtica dioica. I. Stinging nettle: introduction and interesting facts . I like harvesting weeds to cook by myself and in Italy seeds are supposed to be dangerous! Dosage: 1/2–1 teaspoon of fresh or dried seeds sprinkled into salads, soups, stews, etc. Perennial in zones 3-10, stinging nettle is frequently found growing wild in forest edges. Leaves are about 2-5 inches long with jagged edges, found in opposing pairs along the upper half of the stalk. The seeds of this perennial are considered a super food with adaptogenic properties. Ciao Lucinda. The native species tend to have taller, more robust stems and larger leaves. We're a large group, and as we wander along the forest paths, Jonathon points out plants that are good to eat or can be used as medicine, like chickweed, elderberries and the like. I can’t find anything that say use it cooked, dry or fresh. It is native to Europe, Asia, northern Africa, and North America, and introduced elsewhere. Harvesting and eating stinging nettle V. Stinging nettle medicinal uses . FREE Delivery on your first order shipped by Amazon. Urtica dioica ‘STINGING Nettle Seeds 5g Approx 10,000 Seeds herb Medicinal Wild Flower Meadows.