Spraying nettles

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Spraying nettles
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Marionb

Joined: 27 Aug 2006
Posts: 5267
Location: Mid-Wales

Posted: Sun Apr 24, 11 9:36 am Post subject: Spraying nettles
I bought spray for the nettles yesterday.. however on reading the instructions it says not to spray in periods of drought... I was going to do it this weekend... Why shouldnt it be done in drought periods? I'm just wondering whether to risk doing it anyway but dont want to do damage or find that it doesnt work for some reason..?

Midland Spinner

Joined: 13 Jan 2009
Posts: 2931
Location: Under a green roof

Posted: Sun Apr 24, 11 9:44 am Post subject:

Probably because it relies on the plant translocating the poison round its system - which it won't be doing if there's no water to transport. - so it will just be a waste of money.

Or, it might be worse - I know a chap who (years ago) made up a solution of weedkiller crystals to kill weeds & sprayed it in a dry period, when nothing happened he made up another solution & tried again..... and again, eventually it still hadn't rained & the weeds were still growing .... so he tried a flame gun.....Woomf! - unfortunately his little daughter was on the lawn and he had to run like hell to get to her before the flames did.
Moral of the story - always follow the instructions (and know what the haz-chem symbols mean)

p.s. daughter was unharmed & grew up to have kids of her own.

p.p.s Why not just enjoy the butterflies etc that live on the nettles?

Sally Too

Joined: 14 Sep 2006
Posts: 2511
Location: N.Ireland

Posted: Sun Apr 24, 11 10:36 am Post subject:
Pull up the roots if it is a small area? Nettles also can't stand repeated mowing. And they make delicious soup at this time of year....

wellington womble

Joined: 08 Nov 2004
Posts: 15051
Location: East Midlands

Posted: Sun Apr 24, 11 10:48 am Post subject:
I've sprayed my nettles twice with glyphosate and it hasn't worked so far - I think I did it too early. I have far too many for soup, and I need some garden for the baby to play it. I wouldn't mind reclaiming some of the vegetable garden, too.

Marionb

Joined: 27 Aug 2006
Posts: 5267
Location: Mid-Wales

Posted: Sun Apr 24, 11 10:57 am Post subject:
Looks like I will have to leave it a bit longer... the field is becoming over-run with the things so I have decided that this year I will get them at least under control if not eliminate them. I may try strimming some for now and spray when they have re-grown sufficiently... strimming/pulling out hasnt done anything to reduce them in the past though.

Rob R

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 31902
Location: York

Posted: Sun Apr 24, 11 11:06 am Post subject:
What is the field used for?

Marionb

Joined: 27 Aug 2006
Posts: 5267
Location: Mid-Wales

Posted: Sun Apr 24, 11 11:19 am Post subject:

Rob R wrote:

What is the field used for?

Sheep usually but at the moment theres 3 miniature shetlands in there.

Cathryn

Joined: 16 Jul 2005
Posts: 19856
Location: Ceredigion

Posted: Sun Apr 24, 11 11:20 am Post subject:
Can you strim? My horses love wilted nettles.

Rob R

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 31902
Location: York

Posted: Sun Apr 24, 11 11:27 am Post subject:
Most animals do - they're a fantastic mineral supplement for all classes of stock. I've given up on doing battle with nettles and embraced them. Then whilst you're reaping the benefits they suddenly decide to stop producing. I've even used them to find out where the reedbed is leaking

Jo S

Joined: 13 Jan 2009
Posts: 5174
Location: Somerset

Posted: Sun Apr 24, 11 11:34 am Post subject:
I used to scythe them and give them to the pigs.

Nicky cigreen

Joined: 25 Jun 2007
Posts: 9891
Location: Devon, uk

Posted: Sun Apr 24, 11 12:08 pm Post subject:
we scythe them and the sheep eat them once they are wilted.

Ecocentric

Joined: 14 May 2009
Posts: 93
Location: Western foothills of the Cambrians

Posted: Sun Apr 24, 11 12:35 pm Post subject:

Revenge wrought on nettles via the cold steel of a scythe is infinitely more satisfying (as well as quicker, quieter, cleaner and greener) than a brushcutter - the noise of the engine prevents you hearing their quivers of fear and that delicious "snick"...

If the mini-'osses don't eat 'em, collect (fork or gloves required as they can still sting) and add all those lovely minerals to your compost or make "nettle tea"as a liquid feed.

Go on, be a "DownScyther"...

dpack

Joined: 02 Jul 2005
Posts: 46316
Location: yes

Posted: Sun Apr 24, 11 7:42 pm Post subject:
wilted most herbivore like em highlands like em fresh and spicy ace plant

dpack

Joined: 02 Jul 2005
Posts: 46316
Location: yes

Posted: Sun Apr 24, 11 7:45 pm Post subject:
unless they are in the veg patch nettles are an asset if well used lucky to have such p / k / n rich soil

Duckhead

Joined: 24 Oct 2009
Posts: 2069
Location: Up the hill, Italy

Posted: Sun Apr 24, 11 8:00 pm Post subject:
Just keep cutting the tops off

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