What are nettles?
Nettles, such as stinging nettles and deadnettles, are often found in loose soil, particularly when phosphate levels are high. These perennial weeds bear flowers from May to September and have extensive creeping roots. The annual nettle is also considered a weed but does not have such long-lasting roots.
Why are nettles such a problem?
An abundance of nettles can make a garden look uncared for but allowing a few to grow can be a good thing – butterflies lay their eggs on stinging nettles and the emerging caterpillars eat the leaves. Some gardeners choose to grow nettles in herb gardens to take advantage of their food and medicinal qualities. An obvious drawback is a rather painful problem they can cause, hence most gardeners choose to eradicate stinging nettle varieties.
Controlling nettles
As nettles can’t withstand repeated mowing or hoeing, they’re unlikely to be found in cultivated borders or lawns, unless the area is adjacent to neglected land. In borders, nettles can be dug up at any time of year, with digging is an effective method of keeping them at bay. But to prevent nettles seeding and spreading, they should be cut down in summer. When digging nettles out, be careful to remove as many creeping stems as possible, as the nodes can produce new plants. After digging, lay a weed control fabric in garden borders to help stop nettles returning – geotextile membranes, such as Weedtex, starve unwanted weeds of the light and nutrients they need to thrive.
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