[OtheD]

Hello all

We recently moved into a house that has been unoccupied for a number of years but previously was occupied by someone who was a really loving gardener.  Every week there is a new surprise around the house, something blooming or coming into fruit. 

Over in the veg patch, there was the largest field of nettles I've ever seen.  Actually, I'm not from a place that has nettles, so that's not saying much, but needless to say, it's been weeks of digging them out (unbelievable! Like a horror movie those roots!).  Yesterday I blazed through a whole new area and found something--the old compost heap, hemmed in by some old pallets knocked together. 

Here is my question: there is, in the pallet-contained heap, two feet or so of composted material.  It is, however, completely impregnated with nettles roots.  What do I do?  I know I can't use the material, but let's say I want to get rid of it--how should I?  Truck it out to the woods in a wheelbarrow?  With the nettles I've pulled, at least I can let them rot in a bin of water, ensuring they won't come back--but this, well, it's dirt--dirt completely filled with insidious little nettle roots.  What should I do with it?

Thanks

Olive

[tode]

Congratulations: nettles are supposed to be a sign of good soil 
For the nettles in the old compost, you should be able to "fluff" it up and shake out the roots. the remaining old compost can be used for the veg patch.
As with all weeds, make sure that they don't seed, even if you can't clear them all.
Good luck

[johnfh]

You could always use Roundup or similar if the idea doesn't scare you and put the roots in your Local Authority green disposal bin or take them to the tip.  Just a few years ago, or now where I live, you could still have a good old fashioned bonfire - you can't beat it for getting rid of unwanted pests of all kinds.

[OtheD]

Thanks tode, I repeat to myself as I clear...these are good for the soil....a good sign...good good good

It's also good news to hear that I can fluff out the roots and use the rest as compost was intended...it seemed tragic not to be able to use it. 

As for the greenery, I think I will be indulging in a bonfire, johnfh, as soon as it stops raining here in the north east of Scotland!  Which is to say, I don't know when that could be.

Glad too to hear that roundup is not totally shunned--after a few days of clearing the hard way I was ready to reach for a bottle of anything...pesticides I mean.

Thanks for the advice!

[tode]

Thats what I like to hear.... positive thinking 
Always better to have some good soil full of nettles than a patch of clean dust!

I think roundup is a bit like whiskey: use it when you need it, but don't overdo it 
Good luck with plot.

[OtheD]

Well said on all counts.  We are in the middle of whisky country, though I take a very measured approach to whisky, so shall apply the same moderation. 

Thanks!
 

[tode]

Sorry, Whisky

[OtheD]

Ha, not even noticed!  I am not native to whisky, so it doesn't stick in the craw.  Not that I don't like it.  Actually, one of the things that amazed me about Scotland when I first moved here was that at times you could smell peat, like the whisky was in the air.  Amazing.  But really I moved here for the kale.  Just kidding!  Sort of.

[Novice but totally hooked]

We own 6 acres of paddocks and a couple of years ago we decided to clear a strip along the side which had been the muck heap and turn it into a veg patch.  It was a jungle of nettles.

Firstly we used Roundup on it which certainly cleared it the first year but the second year the nettles were back although not quick so thickly.  That year we really attacked it and dug and dug and dug.  Once you start the nettle roots come out very easily and if your compost it really well rotted it should crumble away from the roots with no trouble.

But a word of warning.  However much you clear, the nettles will encrouch and you'll need to keep on top of the problem. 

In year two we cleared a small patch really thoroughly and grew veggie on it.  By the end of the summer the nettles were already encrouching so we sprayed them off.  This year (year 3) we've dug out more nettle roots from our original patch but on the whole they haven't been a problem.  We've also extended into another bed and I used it for courgettes and pumpkins and in doing so haven't give the nettles the chance to come back up. Once I clear the pumpkin and courgettes out later in the autumn I shall did really well to clear any rogue nettle roots but expect there to be somemore next spring.

Clearing nettles is a long term project, especially if you have a large area as realistically you'll have problems clearing it all in one go, but the benefits are well worth it as the soil really is fantastic for growing veggie.  There's also something theraputic of digging into good soil and finding it doesn't take much to fill a sack with nettle roots!

[OtheD]

It sounds like you did a lot of work to remove your nettle infestation!  I'm glad to know that it's not any fault of my own that they keep resurfacing (at this point what comes up are teeny tiny little nettlets, which if you're not careful when weeding really nip at the knuckles.  I'm a little nervous about it being a long term project--we're only renting where we are, and don't expect to be here for longer than a couple of years.  Let's just hope that I can stave them off long enough to grow some more veg next year. 

My plan this year, aside from the copious digging, was to plant some really cheap and vigorous rye grass seed over the areas that I had dug out, so that they were held at bay while I was working.  I'm glad to hear that pumpkins and courgettes also work well to hold them back.  I know that they're going to be part of my life for a while...perhaps I should make some soup to have my revenge?  In the meantime, you are right--the digging is very good, therapeutic, good for the bod, etc.  Glad to hear of your success!  It gives me something to work towards...

[tode]

Just make sure you keep on top of the seedlings. You'll win in the end 

[Swing Swang]

Try eating the young shoots - then you can call it a crop and not worry about the roots!

[OtheD]

One thing that I am starting to love about this forum is the overwhelmingly positive responses.  You are right, I will prevail!  I am getting a Braveheart attitude about it.  And what better way to win than to call it a crop?  Heh heh!

[tode]

This may sound like "teaching grandma to suck eggs", but make sure you have a path right round the veg patch wide anough to regularly pass a mower at its lowest setting. This should stop the nettles creeping back in.
We made the mistake of putting our âtch against a weed-infested hedge, and it was murder !

[OtheD]

Oho, very wise.  I think we could pool everyone's nettle advice for a tidy little bible of nettle strategy.  Glad to hear that constant cutting dissuades them!  I will prevail 

Thanks!