Stinging Nettle (‘Less Sting’) – Urtica dioica (300 seeds)

Some may not look at stinging nettles as tasty vegetables, but they are that and much more! Young shoots emerge in very early spring and are delicious. Later, the branching plants make many growing stems that each have tender leafy tips that may be harvested and cooked later in the year. Older leaves can be harvested by cutting the entire plant in late summer and dried to make tea. The stalks themselves are a great source of fiber for making twine or even clothing! The entire plant is also indispensable in biodynamic compost tea preparations and deserves a place in every permaculture garden. This particular variety originated with Ken Asmus of Oikos Tree Crops and nearly lacks stinging hairs on leaves although stems are still well-armed.The obvious issue about nettles is their sting, and indeed the stinging hairs covering the plant contain formic acid that mimics ant bites and causes a temporary itching and burning when they touch sensitive skin. Although this is actually a therapeutic remedy for arthritis and other ailments, it can be easily avoided by wearing gloves and long sleeves when harvesting nettles. And the sting quickly leaves the plant after cooking for a few minutes!The flavor of freshly steamed shoots is richer than perhaps any other green leafy vegetable, tasting nearly like meat or fish with sometimes metallic notes that I always thought came from its high mineral content. It should not be confused with wood nettle (Laportea canadensis) that grows in moist forests of the eastern USA. The wood nettle can be used similarly, but prefers different habitat and generally only produces edible, tender leaves in spring.Stinging nettle seeds germinate best when sowed on the soil surface. An easy way is to fill a 4 inch pot 3/4 full of potting mix and spread the seeds on top, watering carefully and then covering with a plastic bag until seedling emerge in 1 week. Clumps of plants can then be separated and planted out in spring. They are best planted in an out-of-the-way location where they can slowly spread via rhizomes. They also may self-seed readily so are best kept out of a main garden area. They tolerate sun or shade and grow best with plenty of soil organic matter.