Hey everyone, I recently inherited a garden that has some pesky nettles, and I'm looking for the best ways to remove them without ruining everything else. Any tips or tricks you can share?
5 Answers
Keep in mind that some butterflies and moths rely on nettles for laying their eggs. If you can, try leaving a few patches for them! They might not be very interested in the nettles in your garden if there are better options nearby though.
If you really want to get rid of them, try cutting them down instead of composting. Let them grow slightly in spring, trim them again, and then dig up the roots. It helps keep the nitrogen balance in your soil too.
That's interesting! My soil needs a boost, so I might give that a try.
Dig them out when the ground is wet—it's much easier then! You might still see a few come back, but with regular checking, you should be able to clear them out in a season or two.
Appreciate that! Should I tackle this in winter?
Nettles actually have some benefits—consider making nettle tea as a fertilizer. Just add them to a container with water and let it sit until it rots, even if it gets stinky! You can use the liquid to feed your plants.
That sounds like a neat idea! Do the nettles have to be fresh?
One solid method is to wear some gloves and use a garden fork to dig them out. Just make sure to get as many roots as you can to prevent them from growing back!
That’s a great point! It’s nice to support the local wildlife while managing the nettles.