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  • Nettle roots

    My plot was neglected last year, due to ill health. To be honest, it probably wasn't in good shape before that

    I am now digging up big patches of nettles - using the tops on the compost, and putting the rooted stem parts in the 'drying patch' to dry off and then compost.

    My question is - do I need to get rid of the tough yellow roots that refuse to get dug out? I have pulled and pulled and some of them are very difficult to remove.

    How far down do I need to go to stop them regenerating? RHS say they will re-grow from a node but as far as I can see the root is just root, no nodes in sight.

    Any advice gratefully received - and I don't use weedkiller.
    Whooops - now what are the dogs getting up to?

  • #2
    Just do the best you can and that will weaken the plant. You can then pull up any bits that grow as they come up. Eventually they do get fed up go growing and are nowhere near as bad as couch grass or bind weed.


    Sent from my iPad using Grow Your Own Forum

    Some of us live in the past, always talking about back then. Some of us live in the future, always planning what we are going to do. And, then there are those, who neither look behind or ahead, but just enjoy the moment of right now.

    Which one are you and is it how you want to be?

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    • #3
      I hope so Alison. I was relieved to find that the ash seedlings don't regenerate at root level, was hoping the nettles would be the same Sadly I also have couch grass, creeping thistle and bindweed but those I can nag out of existence I am sure. Thank the lord we don't have mare's tail or ground elder on the plots! And I quite enjoy dealing with the big comfrey roots - I can either crop the leaves or dig down and crack them with a very satisfying crunch.
      Whooops - now what are the dogs getting up to?

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      • #4
        In my experience Nettles always come back. The hard woody pale yellow roots are satisfying to dig out, if you can. The more stringy bright yellow parts tend to stretch like elastic when pulled, then snap off, but we have heavy clay, and that tends to glue them in place. covering them just encourages them to run.

        We have a large run of them alongside the drive, but I leave them for the Bees and Butterflies, then mow them after they've flowered.
        All the best - Glutton 4 Punishment
        Freelance shrub butcher and weed removal operative.

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        • #5
          We have a large run of them alongside the drive, but I leave them for the Bees and Butterflies, then mow them after they've flowered.[/QUOTE]

          You could Use them to make nettle tea.
          Dogs have masters, cats have slaves, and horses are just wonderful

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          • #6
            Sadly Bal these are on the allotment plot that I rent- and I have to keep the plot weed free. There are several large patches by the fence for the wildlife. I put the tops either in a bucket to make stinky tea, or on the compost pile - onto my third this year now
            Whooops - now what are the dogs getting up to?

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            • #7
              Originally posted by Jeanied View Post
              do I need to get rid of the tough yellow roots
              yes you do. that's perennial nettle, so it'll just keep coming back at ya.


              Cut the roots with secateurs as you fork them out, a bit at a time
              All gardeners know better than other gardeners." -- Chinese Proverb.

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              • #8
                Originally posted by Two_Sheds View Post
                yes you do. that's perennial nettle, so it'll just keep coming back at ya.
                Cut the roots with secateurs as you fork them out, a bit at a time
                Oh dear, that is bad news to me - I am sure all these nettles are due to horse poo. Never mind, I have sharpened my secateurs now so it is off to work I go. Hey ho.
                Whooops - now what are the dogs getting up to?

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                • #9
                  You may well be right about the Hoss poo, Jeanie. I mulched my old garden with the stuff, and spent the next few years trying to get on top of nettles and docks.
                  All the best - Glutton 4 Punishment
                  Freelance shrub butcher and weed removal operative.

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