Content
Growing nettles at home is quite simple. If the plant is already found on the site, it means that the soil here is fertile, so there will not be any special problems. But if the soil is depleted, fertilizers are added to it, as well as sand (for loosening), since nettle is demanding on the soil.
How does nettle reproduce?
The crop can be propagated both by seeds and vegetatively. In the first case, the seed is sown directly into the soil in the second half of April or early May. It is not advisable to grow seedlings, since the seedlings will already be able to take root well. The seedlings do not require special care. But at the first stage you need to monitor watering: moisten regularly, but do not flood the soil too much. It is not necessary to create special shelters.
Summer residents often use vegetative propagation of nettles. In this case, the new plants completely retain the characteristics of the parent.The only way to propagate the crop vegetatively is by using rhizomes. The procedure can be started in April (before the leaves appear) or in September (several weeks before the first frost). The algorithm is as follows:
- The plants are carefully dug up.
- Shake the nettle roots off the ground.
- The rhizomes are cut into several pieces 8–10 cm long.
- Planted in a pre-prepared area and covered with a 5–7 cm layer of soil.
- Water with settled water.
Within 7–8 weeks after germination, the seedlings will look weakened and grow slowly. This is a normal phenomenon - the set of green mass will increase in mid-summer. In order for the nettle to take root as quickly as possible, standard care is carried out for it: regular watering, applying organic fertilizers at the beginning of the season, weeding, and loosening the soil as necessary.
On what soil composition and acidity does nettle grow?
Nettle is a weed, but it is quite whimsical. If this plant is found on the site, it means that almost any crops can grow here - vegetables, garden trees, flowers. Prefers chernozems, light loams rich in nitrogen.
Nettle grows only in fertile soils
As for the reaction of the environment, nettle chooses neutral or slightly acidic soils (pH 6–7). The crop does not grow on acidified or excessively alkaline soils.
Where are nettles grown?
Nettle is grown not only on private farms; it is also cultivated on an industrial scale. Raw materials are used for the following purposes:
- For medicine: the leaves of the plant are dried and prepared as herbal tea.The herb is used both in pure form and in mixtures with other components.
- As a fodder crop: the green part is used to feed birds and livestock. Nettle has a higher yield compared to traditional crops (1.5–2 times), so it may well become the basis for the production of corresponding products.
In Russia, stinging nettle and hemp are grown almost everywhere: in the Central part, in the Urals, in Siberia and other regions. Around the world, the crop is cultivated in many countries (including northern ones):
- Belarus;
- Germany;
- Latvia;
- Sweden;
- Lithuania;
- USA.
Nettle cultivation has been established as a profitable business. Even without special care, the crop yield is about 8–10 tons per hectare. More careful agricultural technology (application of nitrogen fertilizers and periodic irrigation) ensures a significant increase in the indicator to 20–40 tons from the same area.
Cultivation of nettles as a fodder and medicinal crop is practiced in many countries around the world.
How to plant nettles on the plot
There is nothing complicated about planting nettles. But it is worth keeping in mind that this plant loves fertile and loose soil. If the soil is depleted, it must not only be dug up, but also fertilized and sand added. It is advisable to do this six months before planting. If this is not possible, you can prepare the site in a few weeks.
Recommended timing
The plant can be planted quite early - the soil should have time to warm up to 5–8 °C. This can be easily determined by measuring the temperature with an outdoor thermometer (it is buried 5–7 cm into the soil and left for 10 minutes, then the readings are taken).
Typically, suitable temperatures in the Moscow region and neighboring regions are observed already in mid-April, and in the southern regions - at the beginning of the month. In the Urals and Siberia there may be a delay until the beginning of May. However, it is also not worth postponing planting the crop to a later date: nettle will withstand short-term return frosts.
Site selection and preparation
Fertile areas with light soil are suitable for growing nettles. The culture does not take root well on heavy (clayey), acidic or alkaline, depleted soils. The area can be either illuminated or shady - in this sense, the plant is unpretentious. When choosing a location, it is also recommended to pay attention to the level of soil moisture. Low-lying places are not suitable for nettles - a lot of water accumulates here, which can have a bad effect on the root system of the plant.
If the soil is fertile, there is no need to specially prepare it for planting - just clean and dig the area with a spade. If the soil is depleted, add 2–3 kg of humus with the addition of 200–300 g of ash per square meter. Heavy soil is loosened using coarse white sand (also 200–300 g per 1 m2).
Before planting, the area is dug up using a spade and weed roots are removed.
Planting nettles
Planting nettles is carried out as follows:
- Prepare the area, mark several furrows at intervals of 50–60 cm.
- Rhizomes are planted at a distance of 25–30 cm from each other.
- Cover with a layer (5–7 cm) of loose soil.
- Water with pre-prepared (settled) water.
Then they wait for germination and make sure that the soil remains moderately moist during the first two months. Over time, the seedlings will get stronger, after which they will begin to actively invade neighboring areas. Therefore, the propagation of the plant must be especially monitored, otherwise it will turn from the main crop into a weed, which will be very difficult to remove.
How to grow nettles on the plot
Although nettle is a weed, it requires some care. If the soil is fertile and it rains relatively regularly, then it is enough to periodically loosen the soil and weed. It is advisable to follow other rules of agricultural technology:
- In May and June (with an interval of 3-4 weeks), add rotted manure or compost. It is not worth adding inorganic fertilizers (ammonium nitrate, azophosphate and others).
- Additional watering is provided during the first two months after planting (on a weekly basis), as well as in case of prolonged absence of rain.
- Loosening the soil should be done after each watering (after 1–2 days).
- It is also advisable to inspect the area and remove weeds, especially rhizomatous ones.
The green part is filled with water (1:3) and left for up to 10 days, after which the plants are periodically sprayed.
Pests and diseases of nettle
Nettle has very good immunity to diseases and insects. But in June there may be an invasion of caterpillars - urticaria. They are removed manually or washed off with water (but only in the evening so that the leaves do not get sunburned). When doing this, be sure to wear gloves made of thick fabric, otherwise the plant will sting severely.
Nettle is used to prepare an infusion that effectively destroys aphid colonies
Conclusion
Any summer resident can grow nettles on the plot. To plant, the soil needs to be prepared: dug up, remove weed roots, fertilize, loosen. When the seedlings become stronger, they will not require special care. Plants can be fed 1-2 times per season, watered occasionally, and weeded as necessary.
