For the past few years, Jeff and I have been planting nettles in a spot where our ‘greywater’ runs out from our house. We know nettles likes it wet so we figured it would be the perfect place for them.
Now, you might be asking yourself- Why would anyone in their right mind want to plant nettles in their yard?!
Yes, nettles do sting after all. But they are incredibly delicious and are a nutrient dense food source! I cannot say enough good things about nettles. They just require being conscious and respectful around them- which is a wonderful way to bring you into the present moment.
We go out and harvest nettles every spring and we’ve dreamed of having a nettles patch in our very own yard. So each time we go, we dig up a few plants and bring them home to plant here. Jeff and I checked out our patch recently and are happy to say that it’s spreading! (Don’t worry- it’s on a hillside where we don’t usually walk so it’s out of the way.)
Now we have our very own nettles patch!
What a wonderful feeling to know that we can walk right outside our front door, over to the hillside and harvest fresh greens whenever we get the craving!
Wow! Thanks for sharing that Lindsey- that is amazing!!
How wonderful to have nettles in your own yard! I’ve heard that they’re picky about where they grow, so it’s an honor indeed!
Nettles are such good medicine…I get bee venom shots for a severe allergy and discovered that if I drink strong nettle tea every day (made with dried nettles), I don’t even notice I’ve gotten the shots!
This is truly incredible because otherwise without the nettle tea, I get full-body itching and rash, and big 4″x4″ red welts on each arm where I get the shots. But the nettles completely take care of that reaction. 100%. For me they work better than commercial anti-histamines!
Glad to see so many nettles fans! 🙂
Melissa- Thanks for the tips! I had never heard of it being used as rennet before. We have a neighbor who takes fresh nettle baths if you can believe it.
Elisabetha- Nice to hear from you. Your life sounds very beautiful! We are glad to connect with you.
May your nettle patch spread and prosper! Yum!
Hi Taryn,
Yesterday I found your and your husbands wonderful blogs. It is so special to meet people who are content and in peace with their existence.
We live a simple life with three children in a mountaim area in Germany and we too love nettles and know places where we can get them.
love and light
Elisabetha
Nettles are indeed wonderful. We have made the best soup from them. I’ve also tried it as a rennet replacement when I’m making cheese…which didn’t work out so well but probably needs more experimentation. As for the stings – pulping up some dock and placing that on the sting site is great, as well as plantain – though I’m not sure if you have that plant in the U.S.
Horray for nettles!