Stinging nettles are often thought of as a weed, but they have many health and nutritious benefits as well as being easy to grow or forage.
The basics
- They lose their sting in the first 30 seconds of cooking.
- They have more protein than any other edible plant I know of.
- They will satisfy my hamburger cravings.
- Harvest for eating before they are knee high.
- The seeds and roots have medicinal value.
- In the fall they can be used to make cordage - especially good for water cordage, like nets (hence the name).
- Possibly the easiest plant food to dry and save for later
Jumping on the stinging nettle train
In 2001 I learned that lots of my animals liked to eat stinging nettles. In looking it up, I found that it was one of the best things they could eat. So good, that I should try to encourage growing it rather than discourage it.
Read more here.
