Flick75 32 Posted February 19, 2012 Report Share Posted February 19, 2012 Hi...we've recently bought an old farm/small holding which has a really good sized kitchen garden. The problem is the raised beds are full of very well established nettles. They've all died back now with the frost and snow, but in October when we bought the place, they were about 6' high...and thick. We've had lots of different advice on how to get rid of them permanently. We strimmed them down in October, but obviously the roots are still in there. Does anyone know how to eradicate them, so that we can use the raised beds this spring/summer? I'd like to use an organic method if at all possible. Thanks... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
paulus 26 Posted February 19, 2012 Report Share Posted February 19, 2012 Hi...we've recently bought an old farm/small holding which has a really good sized kitchen garden. The problem is the raised beds are full of very well established nettles. They've all died back now with the frost and snow, but in October when we bought the place, they were about 6' high...and thick. We've had lots of different advice on how to get rid of them permanently. We strimmed them down in October, but obviously the roots are still in there. Does anyone know how to eradicate them, so that we can use the raised beds this spring/summer? I'd like to use an organic method if at all possible. Thanks... round up. i know its not organic but it works. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Flick75 32 Posted February 19, 2012 Author Report Share Posted February 19, 2012 Oh thanks.....if we use round up, does it mean we can't plant any veg in there for a while? Another thought I had was to put a few chickens on there, but we weren't sure whether they would scratch up the roots...nettle roots are quite deep aren't they? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
J Darcy 5,871 Posted February 19, 2012 Report Share Posted February 19, 2012 Dig the roots out by hand. But don't forget it's nice to have a few nettles about the place, that ways you'll always have a few butterflies about..... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mattydski 560 Posted February 19, 2012 Report Share Posted February 19, 2012 To be honest Ive not yet found a great method to get to get rid of nettles organically.. On areas in our wood we tend to hit them heavy a couple of times a year with the strimmer.. but the only cure is as stated glyphosate or equivalent. But no, VEG can be planted quite quickly after application as it is a contact, post emergence, non selective herbicide, as appose to a residual herbicide. Follow the advice on the packet, and you shouldnt go wrong. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Flick75 32 Posted February 19, 2012 Author Report Share Posted February 19, 2012 Yes. That was of my main concerns actually, losing the butterflies....I'm leaving one big patch of nettles down at the bottom...I've just been out there now and there are lots of hibernating ladybirds in amongst them...hope they're the indigenous variety. We have Budleja and Alysum and other butterfly attracting plants and a huge lavender bed.. I do like to attract wildlife, in whatever form, into the garden. I think the digging sounds the best bet, if not the easiest! If it weren't for the fact that they're monopolising the raised beds, I'd leave them be. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Flick75 32 Posted February 19, 2012 Author Report Share Posted February 19, 2012 Thanks Mattydski...will look into that. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Millet 4,497 Posted February 19, 2012 Report Share Posted February 19, 2012 I have seen all sort's used on nettle's and the just keep coming back..the only sure fire way to reduce them is dig them out this time of the year before they start growing back and stinging the hand's of you.. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Flick75 32 Posted February 19, 2012 Author Report Share Posted February 19, 2012 ...these ones are horrible...big thick stems and they sting really hard! Would roundup and then a good dig about 2 weeks later do the trick, do you think? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mattydski 560 Posted February 19, 2012 Report Share Posted February 19, 2012 yup, should do the trick. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
GrCh 856 Posted February 19, 2012 Report Share Posted February 19, 2012 I'd get a couple of goats then eat them after. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Millet 4,497 Posted February 19, 2012 Report Share Posted February 19, 2012 Round up will deffinitely kill the top's of but not the root's..but like you say you can dig them out..the only thing with old established nettle patches is it is hard and slow work getting them out..and it will be a ongoing job for a couple of year's picking and stragler's up that are missed because they just keep rooting.. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mooch. 177 Posted February 19, 2012 Report Share Posted February 19, 2012 Dig the roots now. When the bits you miss start emerging spray them with glyphosate. As has been said glyphosate is a contact herbicide and breaks up in soil so you'll be fine planting this year. To totally rid your beds of nettles you'll need 2 or 3 applications though but you could spot treat the individual weeds as they come up. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Flick75 32 Posted February 19, 2012 Author Report Share Posted February 19, 2012 Someone also said to pour on soapy water before spraying...is that true or just an old wives tale? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Millet 4,497 Posted February 19, 2012 Report Share Posted February 19, 2012 Never heard of that before..in any case you dont need to just blast them with roundup or galup and they will be dead in about 3wks.. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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