Urtica Nettle dioica seeds Listing for 1000 seeds Position: The nettle plant is an herbaceous perennial dying down to ground level in winter. It is easy to grow in any moist fertile soil, in full sun to semi-shade. They especially favour the edges of streams or nutrient-dense pastures and grow to a height of 60 to 120cm (24 to 48in). Select your location carefully as nettles are very hardy and can spread with the right conditions. The plants spread by a bright yellow rhizomatous root system and may need to be controlled with a root barrier. It recommended to find a permanent spot with rich, moist conditions a little away from (or on the periphery of) your other herbs. The roots can be dug up at the end of each season to prevent the plants spreading out of control. Sowing: Nettle seeds are tiny, light dependent germinators that can be started indoors or out. Sow in autumn or very early spring for germination in spring. To start, tamp the small seeds lightly into the soil or cover with a thin layer of soil, 2mm (OEin). If starting indoors, sow in pots in late winter and transplant in early spring. Space plants approximately 20cm (8in) apart. If direct sowing, seed in spring and thin as desired and plant rows 2cm (1in) apart. Water as needed during dry periods. Harvesting: Young leaves and shoots for infusions, drying or cooking are best harvested in spring through to autumn. Wait until the little Nettles are 20cm (4in) high or so, and snip them off. Be sure to wear gloves when harvesting to avoid the sting delivered by tiny hairs on the leaves and stem. If the nettles are very young only harvest the top bud and first leaf set. Harvesting the terminal (top) bud will stimulate lateral bud growth causing the plant to become bushier and allowing you to harvest continually from the same plant. To dry, place on well-ventilated screen, and place in a dark, warm and dry place. Do not harvest when flowering and avoid harvesting old leaves after flowering as these become unpalatable. Once the plant flowers, leave them until the seeds ripen to a dark green before picking. Gather the dried seeds into a bowl and push through a metal sieve to remove any debris. Store seeds in a dry, glass jar with a screw top in a cool, dry, dark place. When kept cool and dry they can be used for re-sowing or for culinary use for several months. Nettle Liquid Feed: One of the major practical uses for the average gardener is growing nettles as a green manure as it provides a nitrogen-rich feed for your plants and garden. To make a liquid feed, simply cut or crush the nettles into small pieces and cram into a large container. Weigh the nettles down with bricks, and submerge with water. Store away from the house, to avoid the smell. After around three or four weeks the liquid should be ready for use. The mixture should be diluted until it is tea coloured - usually around 1 part liquid to 10 parts water. Continue to top up your container with more leaves and water through the year. As autumn sets in put the remainder of the feed and the sludge in your compost heap. Chopped nettles act as a natural compost activator and speed up the decomposition process in compost heaps. For the best results, make sure the nettles are thoroughly mixed with lots of different materials - dry, wet, soft and woody - otherwise they become slimy. Don't add nettle roots, unless your heap is very hot. Culinary Uses: The young leaves of Stinging nettle are very nutritious and easily digestible with high levels of vitamins and minerals. Cooked or thoroughly dried leaves are safe to eat as these processes neutralises the sting. Treated as a vegetable, they can be steamed and eaten like spinach or cooked in soups, stews, pesto or gnocchi. They are a great addition to omelettes, and even a topping to pizza. The leaves can be dried for winter use and the seeds can be utilised as a crunchy topping or mixed with yoghurt. Medicinal Uses: The nettle has been used for hundreds of years to treat painful muscles and joints, eczema, arthritis, gout, and anaemia. In medieval Europe Stinging nettle was used as a diuretic (to rid the body of excess water) and to treat joint pain. Today, many people use it to treat urinary problems during the early stages of an enlarged prostate, for urinary tract infections, for hay fever, or in compresses or creams for treating joint pain, sprains and strains, tendinitis, and insect bites. Studies suggest that the consumption of leaf teas aid the formation of blood cell hemoglobin and coagulation. It has also been found to be highly beneficial to women during pregnancy. Nettles makes a highly nutritive slow-acting tonic useful in the treatment of many chronic ailments requiring long term treatment. It is also used in salt-reduced diets. ******************************************************************** Follow as on Instagram : darkwingsshop Like as on Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/darkwingstheshop Take a look at our new shop : https://www.etsy.com/shop/darkwingsshop ********************************************************************* All seeds in my shop are from my organic garden here in Greece. * I give a lot of time and effort to keep you all satisfied so PLEASE READ THE SHOP POLICIES before you purchase something from my shop. If you purchase something you automatically accept shop policies. * UPGRADE YOUR ORDER TO REGISTER MAIL if you want safer transaction, tracking number and faster delivery. * Germination rate depends on the country and the weather conditions.