[moose]

Anyone know if dead nettles will make as good a feed as the real ones? It's just that I have a lot!

[potatogrower]

if they're bone dry then crumble them up and spread around the plant or if they wilting then i'd say give it a go and soak in water, as you've got nothing to lose 

i've done some this morning mixed with equal parts comfrey leaves, gave the lot a good beating and left it soaked in rain water

[Kirpi]

Do you mean Nettles (Urtica dioaca) that are dead, or Dead-Nettle (Lamium alba) - the nettle looking plant with sweet tasting white flowers, which is a completely different plant.

[moose]

Dead-Nettle (Lamium alba) is the one I'm talking about.

[shokkyy]

Ooh, I've got loads of those too, and so much less painful to pick. I'd be interested in knowing if they work too.

[Kirpi]

Compost them - easy to weed, but they dont make the stinging nettle tea we love so much.

[Trillium]

Invest in some good gloves.

[shokkyy]

Invest in some good gloves.

I have, but they still manage to get my arms

[Trillium]

When I have these sorts of jobs I wear a long-sleeved heavy shirt that's buttoned at the cuffs, then my longest pair of gloves. Usually does the job. Or, using my telescoping loppers, I'll clip the nettles at the base, keep it locked in the cutters to transfer the nettle into the pail, then work on the next nettle. No touching at all.