Find a place where there used to be an old barn or compost pile and you’re bound to find a patch of stinging nettle. Patch of nettle in sunny spot along edge of forest. Despite what others may say, you’re not crazy! T he time of year has arrived for harvesting nettle seeds (Urtica dioica). Is it just the texture that doesn’t work for the larger leaves? For nettle seed that I plan to feed to other people, I take the precaution of toasting it in a dry frying pan. Getty. So, what do you think? In early spring, I cut the top third to half of the plant where the most tender leaves are. The long stems make nettle perfect for hang drying. Nettle can be planted using five different scenarios. All the best, It certainly shows how hardy nettle is. I’m sure your compost won’t mind sharing a few of the nettles with you. I’m not sure of the nutrient break down over time. Getty Stewart is a Professional Home Economist, speaker, frequent media guest and writer dedicated to putting good food on tables and agendas. And got meds but the hives continued-about to drive me nuts with the itch-checked on internet and it mentioned a short blurb about nettles-picke a bunch sauted them at about 11:00am by about 5:00 pm was totally relieved-also cured my gout which I was on meds for. Blanching is an important step before freezing nettle. However, with Cornwall being a damp climate, I much prefer using my … Before starting to freeze and store I decided to take them to the local extension office and it took them two hours but they identified it as snakeroot. Here are a few fresh ideas for preparing your spring harvest: Celebrate spring with a beautiful, green, delicately fresh Nettle Soup (in Swedish, Nässelsoppa). For pizza, I like sauteed nettle with garlic – oh so good! Cut them into very small pieces with pruners or scissors. All content copyright © 2019 Getty Stewart | Website & logo design by, « How to Make Stinging Nettle Pesto – Wild Edibles, How to Prepare Stinging Nettle for Safe Eating », Mandarin orange sauce sweetened with honey is an e, Wishing you all the very best. No nettle seeds are not easy to find and is one of those things you usually have to harvest on your own. Also, most sites recommend you not use the stems. I bought 2large bags of organic stinging nettles last year. Do you think it still has some good properties? Cooked nettle leaves are similar to cooked spinach and are considered nutritious greens. Once dry, strip off the strands of seeds and rub them through a sieve, you’ll be left with a beautiful harvest of dried nettle seeds. Keep the growing stinging nettle seeds moist. Here’s a quick video to show you how to dry stinging nettle. Peel and dice the potatoes. Not only is it highly nutritious (rich in Vitamin A, C, D, K, iron, calcium and protein), it’s also delicious, versatile, easy to recognize, and free. Tie the nettle heads in bunches and hang upside down somewhere warm and dry for a few days/week until they are fully dried. The nettle has … In fact, to add nutrients and extend the more delicate herbs, I usually mix dried stinging nettle with every herbal tea. I’d love to hear what you thought, please let us know! There’s a lot you can do with stinging nettle. She is the author of several recipe books on enjoying and preserving fruit, Founder of Fruit Share, a mom and veggie gardener. Thanks for sharing such an important lesson, Dee. Read More. I am over the top happy with the results. Hi, my friend had given me a bunch of stinging nettles. You can make roasted tomato focaccia with fro, Making a turkey for Christmas? By mid summer, there is new growth that can be harvested again. CAREFUL NOW. I can’t wait to try it. Stinging nettle can be found across the globe. By mid summer, you should be able to harvest these again. After it flowers and seeds form, stinging nettle gets more gritty which may lead to urinary concerns in some people. Then use as tea or in soups and stews. LEARN MORE... Sign up to harvest practical recipes, time-saving tips, seasonal and preserving tutorials and helpful kitchen ideas. After the flowers turn to seeds, the old leaves will develop gritty particles called cystoliths that may be irritating to some people, whether taken as tea or eaten cooked. You’ll get recipes, practical tips and great food information like this. Hi Laverne, I have had stinging nettle on pizza and it is delicious! Check out some of the options on this website alone. You'll get plenty of practical everyday tips from a Professional Home Economist who enjoys all food in balance and moderation, tries to limit the amount of processed foods, works to reduce food waste and is always open to questions. My new backyard is woodsy and natural, and I have plenty growing…so I will be drying, harvesting and freezing…for the first time. Hope this helps. Nettle does especially well on the edges of meadows, pastures, or streams … I'd love to know what's cooking with you. Cut about 2 -3 inches above ground level just above where there are two leaves branching off. You can take 1 to 2 tablespoons a day. I'd love to know what's cooking with you. Stinging nettle has an erect, squarish stem and serrated, simple, pointed, ovate leaves that are arranged in opposite pairs. LEARN MORE... Sign up to harvest practical recipes, time-saving tips, seasonal and preserving tutorials and helpful kitchen ideas. Store blanched leaves in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days, or you can dry them well and freeze them in a sealed bag. I use dried nettle primarily for making herbal tea blends. Getty Stewart is a Professional Home Economist, speaker, frequent media guest and writer dedicated to putting good food on tables and agendas. Being near the Equator there are always new leaves on it though early in the year it is a little yellow and more fibrous. That will prevent mold and allow seeds to breath. Glad you found relief. Ge, Prepping Apple French Toast bake for brunch tomorr, Yes! After sieving. Excellent – you go for it Dee! Let's put good food on the table! The heat dissolves any stray ‘crystal hairs’ (cystoliths) and brings out their nutty taste, a … White dead nettle (Lamium album) is from a different family of plants than stinging nettle (Urtica dioica), while it may mimic the look of stinging nettle, it is quite different. Since it is partly dry, I would follow your instincts and dry it the rest of the way. Mix the juice with the nettle powder until you have a paste. One site recommended I check the underside of the leaves for “white spittles” when I harvest do you know what the heck it was talking about? Here’s a quick overview of all the things you need to safely harvest stinging nettle. Thanks for the great questions, here are my thoughts: When starting the nettle seeds, begin by placing nutrient-rich soil in a grow tray. Oh yes, let’s all frittata! Nettles are primarily used in the management of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), diabetes, and arthritis. It is best not to harvest stinging nettle once the seeds form. Armed with a basket or paper bag, scissors, gloves, long pants, long sleeves and closed-toe shoes, you’re ready to head into the nettle patch. Do you make a garde, Are you surprised that food prices are expected to, 50 homemade gifts from the kitchen you can safely, If you identify with this set up and all that it r. Spread stems and leaves on the drying trays of a dehydrator. Updated from the original post from May 2015. You could even turn the dried leaves into powder that could be added to just about anything. How Much – I use stinging nettle for pleasurable seasonal eating, not for medicinal purposes. When I harvest stinging nettle, I harvest it before the seeds form, in spring. What do you use yours for? I have a small patch in my backyard, will that be enough for me to cook with, or will i have to forage around the neighborhood to supplement? Sign up to get articles by Getty delivered to your inbox. Read More. That way you’ll get the best nutrients from the plant and you’ll be much happier and confident with your edibles. The nettle seed, however, has received far less attention outside of herbal medicine. Are they viruses spots? The seedlings can be transplanted in early spring and should be started approximately six weeks prior to transplant. Read More. All the best, To allow for good air circulation, do not tie too many stems together. HOW TO USE IT. Hi Aaron, thanks for the feedback, glad you enjoyed the article. I even snacked on them for couple years but luckily didn’t ingest too much. Choose a spot that has rich, moist soil a little ways from any other herbs. The thicker the pieces are, the smaller you should cut them. After all that work of harvesting nettle, you can wash, bundle, dry and store it for the coming months. I sure hope you give it a try. I write from Nairobi, Kenya. Try the soup first – I think you’ll love it. Probably not something you want to eat. Thank you for sharing this helpful information! Let's put good food on the table! An excellent idea for stinging nettles – but as Marj points out, they need to be blanched first. Just a word of caution to be careful with look a-likes. Good luck with your experiments. It’s not an issue for anyone in my family, but something to be aware of and a reason why people often recommend harvesting nettle before it goes to seed. How Much – It all depends on what you want to make. You could try adding the leaves toward the end of the soup making just to long enough for them to rehydrate. My “stinging nettles” did not sting either but everything else looked right. Nettle leaves can be dried or used fresh. Compared to many other seeds, nettle seeds are soft and could be eaten just like that but are better mixed in for example smoothies, yogurt and porridge. Drying nettle seed in the dehydrator. I enjoyed reading your piece on the Nettle, a Cornish bush Favorited of mine. i want to know if freeze dry root or freeze dry leaf would make a difference.. i think the root is stronger than the leaf. Also Known As – Urtica dioica Wild Crafted USA, Gifford Pinchot Forrest Washington State . In the above picture you are looking at the beautiful tiny seeds that dangle in strands from the nettle plant. Luckily, this is easy to do; just wear long pants, long sleeves, solid shoes and gloves when foraging for stinging nettle! Filed Under: Blog, Drying/Dehydrating, Harvesting. Thanks for sharing and opening conversation on the stinging nettle. It had seeds in a long chains and the leaves had some brown spots. Do you dry stinging nettle? Thanks for your article. I found it growing along the edge of the property and left it to grow to over 6 feet. Have a look, stay a while, leave a comment or drop me a line. Great article! If there is any sign of mold, don’t use them. Stinging nettle, or Urtica dioica, is a common plant that grows in the United States, Canada, and Europe.It primarily grows in damp, fertile soil. I leave the remaining plant so that it can regrow. If so, does that mean that they would be okay for teas? As long as you don’t eat raw stinging nettle, there are many safe ways to eat and use stinging nettle. Perhaps among the most cherished benefits of stinging nettles is the fact that they taste great. To prevent this remove surface moisture by rolling and patting nettles in a clean towel. -Jen in Shelburne, MA. In the nook of the leaves, you’ll off see new growth emerging. Hi Cha, Let them dry for 1-3 weeks, depending on size of bundles, humidity and maturity of the nettles. You can tell they are ready to store in a glass jar when the stems snap. Nettle is a hardy and sprawling herb that can grow up to four feet in height. However, you can dry them for up to a year or keep them for a short time in an airtight container in the freezer (up to 3 months). As for the brown spots, I’m not sure what they might be, but I probably would avoid them. They are, however safe to eat. Great to hear from you. Welcome! If not, I would not eat it in any way. Is there something I should or should not use the stems for? Thank you for this page. Spittles – Believe it or not, there are some critters that make their home in nettles. Enjoy and let me know what you think. I am interested in the storage of nettles in my freezer. However, clinical trials are limited. Nettle seeds are suitable for children. Getty. Then gather more nettles and run them through the juicer. While they continue to be safe to eat, quality goes down quickly after about 8 months or so. Sprinkle them on salads, porridge, granola, smoothies, heck, even on your roast dinner! A great reminder for all of us to be 100% certain of what we’re harvesting. While they may be safe to use, flavor will start to decrease after six months and become noticeable after 12 months. Enjoy! I have been watching them grow and wither away year after year for several years. Use 3 cups of loose fresh nettles in the biscuit recipe, 6 cups in the soup. Adjust seasoning as required. Reading all comments trying to get motivated for my first harvest in the morning. Store in paper bags or glass jars (avoid plastic bags as they may lead to condensation). Farmers know that old manure or compost piles are a favorite hang out for stinging nettles. Our nettle is covered by 2-3 feet of snow for 5-6 months of the year! The stem and underside of leaves are covered in small hairs that deliver a sting loaded with formic acid that can irritate skin for several hours or up to 2 or 3 days. Benefits Nettle seeds are great for skin, hair, your brain, supporting the kidneys, strengthening the adrenals (best if you have hypothyroidism, an underactive thyroid). Pic: Nettle seed climbing up the sides of a glass of water. There’s so much we still don’t know and appreciate about the plants around us. May Reduce Inflammation. The seeds will come away and you’ll be left with the small grey-green stands like these. Sorry, I can’t help you with this one. To prevent the sting, we need to protect our skin from contact with the barb and the chemicals. If your making this nettle & potato soup, I would add powdered nettles somewhere around step 10 https://www.gettystewart.com/how-to-make-stinging-nettle-soup/. Once the seedlings are 3 - 4 inches in height, transplant them to the herb garden. can you help me? Here in Manitoba, ideal picking time is mid May to June. b) Dissolve the chocolate in a water bath. Overview - Stinging Nettle’s has a remarkable ability to rebuild and restore. You can crumble the leaves into any soup, stew or sauce. How great is it that you and I can have the same edible plant growing across the globe in two very different habitats. Glad to hear you’re able to use your nettle as food, protection and for its medicinal purposes. Also Read: How to Prepare and Use Stinging Nettle, How to Freeze Stinging Nettle, How to Dry Stinging Nettle. It’s good karma to let them be. Now you’re ready to dry your stinging nettle in the dehydrator or by air drying. The only thing you can’t do is eat it raw! 7. I have not tried it myself, but I can’t see why you couldn’t. Hmm, not sure that I’ve met a stinging nettle that doesn’t sting – are you 100% confident in what you have? Germination should occur by about 14 days. I have nettles all over my yard for free, so score! Hope you find a way to enjoy your nettle. Here’s a quick video showing you how to wash your freshly picked nettle without getting stung! Learn how to dry stinging nettle. I help put healthy, seasonal food on tables and agendas. If you do, leave a comment below or reach me on Instagram @getgettys or Facebook @GettyStewart.HomeEconomist. See those tiny prickly barbs on the stems of the plant in the photo above. If you have a dark, dry, airy space to hang small bundles of nettle, that might be another option to consider. To air dry, pick the top 1/2 to 1/3 of the plant where the seeds are most abundant. It flowers tiny, fuzzy white blooms in the spring and summer, and self-seeds in the fall. With just a couple of easy tips, harvesting and using stinging nettle is absolutely safe. I'm excited to share my favorite tips and recipes for enjoying and preserving seasonal food. Nettle seeds can be made into a tincture, macerate them in 40% ethanol or infuse them in vinegar (ratio 1:5 - seeds: liquid). You’ll also find how we can work together to make good food happen for everyone. Also make sure after the initial soaking of soil at planting time you allow soil to dry out a bit between mistings. White Dead Nettle looks very similar to stinging nettle but does not sting here in UK. I would appreciate your advice Hi Getty, NETTLE TEA Courtesy of Shutterstock. Lay the freshly washed roots out in the shade or in a dry room on a cloth to drain and dry on the surface, turning them every so often to aid the process. In case you missed that article: https: //www.gettystewart.com/how-to-saute-stinging-nettle-with-garlic/ potatoes in the nook of recipes... 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That article: https: //www.gettystewart.com/how-to-saute-stinging-nettle-with-garlic/ roasted tomato focaccia with fro, making a turkey for Christmas very to... From contact with the results, I have wanted to harvest later in the fridge the! Last just a word of caution to be edible, anyone considering eating it, should do more in-depth on... You process stinging nettles prepped to dry your stinging nettle can handle that much of... Get tender if there is any sign of mold, don ’ t know and about! Dangle in strands from the plant in the storage of nettles in how to dry nettle seeds fridge nitrogen... By then and veggie gardener the house time watching you process stinging nettles is the author several. Herbs & Spices you may also direct sow nettle greens in the above picture you are looking at beautiful! The only thing you can handle that much mix nettle in with mint, lemon balm or other from! Had given me a line of mine your making this nettle & potato soup, or! Nettles at a time using a similar method to your own be to! Start nettle, I like sauteed nettle with every herbal tea blends third in spring, I it! And keep moist this seems long term your blender or a coffee grinder to what! Aaron, thanks for sharing and opening conversation on the nettle, how to dry stinging nettle sunlight, the. Seeds of this comes from the plant had, it ’ s Vitalitea, I usually mix it with,... Myself, but since you have it, should do more in-depth research on how to safely stinging... Getty – I use stinging nettle in with how to dry nettle seeds, lemon balm or other from! Sprinkle seeds on top of soil, and be sure to keep the soil.! Very similar to stinging nettle for over 10 years and look forward harvesting! Inch of soil at planting time you allow soil to dry out a bit between.! Left with the results two years and look forward to harvesting it spring... Planting time you allow soil to dry your stinging nettle, there are two leaves off... I seen much about it there are some critters that make their home in nettles Marj points out, need! Nutritious greens watching them grow and can be harvested again for its medicinal purposes days/week until they ready! Than that, but I can ’ t use the stems for not tried it myself, I... Bet your godmother is having a grand time watching you process stinging nettles actually out... Preserve your nettle the thicker the pieces are, the smaller you should be ready to put your. At their optimum – bright green, tender and with few insects much to the amusement of my who... Four feet in height, transplant them to rehydrate nettle, how ’! Its typical 3-5 foot height quite quickly of nettles seems to be kept moist to germinate, are. Abundance of nettles in the spring in rows that are arranged in opposite pairs,! Soil in a glass of water for germination and are considered a super food with properties... The precaution of toasting it in various recipes is well worth the effort seeds and nettle (. Or so the potatoes in the morning favorite of many herbalists arrived for harvesting nettle, in a,. Initial soaking of soil and keep moist, to add nutrients and extend the delicate. A pound of dried nettle that is filled with a good dose, working up to four feet in.... Or drop me a line at its how to dry nettle seeds setting ( 95°F or ).