Eradicating nettles

[MonsieurBOZ]

Hi there, I searched for killing nettles and only got 1 hit, and the killing did not relate to the nettles...
The reason for the post is that I have a little orchard, which has been neglected for years, and is completely rammed with the said stingy pests, and I wish to kill them off. Does anybody know any way (other than Percy Throwers oft-quoted advice: to move house) that I can get rid of these things?
I'd rather not use poison (paraquat, glyphosate etc.) and would therefore prefer something a bit more ethical/sustainable.
Thanks
BOZ

[Flo]

The Royal Horticultural Society is quite descriptive about the problem and a cure or two here though they do go down the spraying route. You won't be able to use Paraquat if you live in the UK as it's a banned chemical now.

If you have a hefty strimmer you could probably keep the nettles down with regular strimming. Won't kill them but will allow you to get into the orchard without damage to yourself.

[Odsox]

I agree with Flo, but will go one step further. If you strim them off and after that keep the area closely mown, they will eventually disappear.
They hate being constantly mown off and after a year or so you will end up with just grass.

[MonsieurBOZ]

Thanks for the repetitive mowing advice; I'd have thought they'd become more not less persistent, anyway: I'll certainly give it a go! Just have to put it on my list of things to make and do, along with: renovate a house and make wooden stuff to sell to earn some cash. Not sure what I can get here in terms of poisons here in France so plan a it will have to be. Thanks again

[Brewtrog]

If you have a bit more time, rather than just strimming them, you can use the leaves for herbal teas, and more importantly nettle brews brilliantly - both as an ale and a wine.

[Skippy]

They also make a decent meal too , a bit reminiscent of spinach. I've eaten them by boiling them but recently watch an episode of a Ray Meres programme where he wilted them directly over a fire which he said tasted better than boiling. If you don't fancy eating them all they also make a good liquid compost in the same way as one would prepare comfrey.
I'd agree with the advice about regular mowing , keeps most weeds in check eventually although if you strim them I'd recommend using a brush cutter blade rather than a line. Nettles I have found are really quite tough and abrasive and eat through the line.
If you have plenty of time and don't mind a bit , well a lot , of hard work then it is possible to dig out the largest of the roots.

[Weedo]

Hi
Overall I agree with the previous comments, if you don't want to spray your options are limited to either physical removal or exclusion by competition. Physical removal can be by digging the plants out as they emerge or by continuous mowing / slashing. Digging is not as simple as digging out plants as they emerge. Digging, if not thorough, can help propagate nettles as thery spread happily from the root pieces and also the soil disturbance will stimulate seed germination. I don't have any real info on seed bank longevity but it would seem from what is available that 5 years is a minimum - individual pants may live up to 50 years.

Continous mowing / slashing is probably the most practicable. The process has two purposes, 1/ to exhaust the plant roots by not allowing it to replace lost food reserves and 2/ to prevent seed production. It must be frequent and consistent.

Mulching will help minimise new plant recruitment but will not stop regrowth from the stolons - the stem mechanics allow it to penetrate most mulchs including weed-mat.

As with all weeds, unless you replace them with something else either they, or another weed, will occupy the space.

If it was my patch I would use a broadleaf herbicide initially (not advocating, just being practical) to kill off the old plants with established root systems; this will leave only new seedlings with weaker roots systems that a are more susceptible to cultural control techniques

As has also been noted, the plant is most useful in many ways - even as a component in animal feeds (wilted or hay) as it contains 20 -25% crude protein and high levels of fats and amino acids. Great in the compost. I have looked at growing nettles as an alternative cattle feed to replace or suppliment Lucerne (more nutrious and have higher mineral content) but the overall yields are not viable economically at my scale.

[Skippy]

Has anyone else noticed that horse muck seems to be very good at carrying nettle seeds? I work for one woman who keeps ponies and each year she mulches the gardens with it but it does encourage the nettles to grow. I often have to Strim the edges of the paddocks and the muck heaps for her to knock them down but she really doesn't get me doing it often enough and we are a long way off eradicating them. Once chopped down though the ponies are soon after the nettles.

[Weedo]

Not just horse poo - same thing with cow and sheep poo. Obviously they do eat at least the seed heads at some stage

[Thomzo]

Has anyone else noticed that horse muck seems to be very good at carrying nettle seeds?

Nettles thrive in heavily manured soils so it might just be the manure encouraging existing roots. That's why they make such good compost as they have very deep roots which soak up the nitrogen from the soil. I will second (or third or whatever) the mowing route. I have employed this technique on a large patch and it's worked, although it did take a few years.

If you can't beat them, eat them. You can dry nettle tops and add them to soups and stews. Young leaves taste of peas and drying/cooking destroys the sting. They are high in iron and used in organic iron supplements.

Good luck with your renovation project. Sounds fun.

[Weedo]

Thomzo
I must disagree, I have seen this happen too many times in too many places with too many species - the seed is most definitely ingested and passed through the animal.